Places that make life better by design > the Maggie's Centre

The right sort of natural environment can really help recuperation and provide real support:
Futures Forum: Landscaping for Health
Futures Forum: Healing by Design

The Maggie's Centres have provided just such places: 
Futures Forum: Building Hope: The Maggie's Centres
Futures Forum: The Maggie's Centres: creating 'spaces of calm and light to help support patients and their families'

The latest newsletter from the Design Council looks at one of the most established centres: 

The architecture of hope: Maggie's Centre, Oldham

Places that make life better by design

In the corridor of an NHS hospital in Edinburgh a big idea was born. It would change the type of care given and support received for anyone affected by cancer.

Maggie Keswick Jencks was given three months to live and then asked politely by the nurse if she would wait in the corridor as other patients needed to be seen. Being thrust into miserable surroundings directly after learning traumatic and life-changing news led her to devote her final months to inverting the experience of cancer patients and their families.

Maggie believed that a physical space can positively impact the emotional wellbeing of humans - even when your world has been turned upside down. She envisioned a space where people view themselves differently as individuals under unusually difficult circumstances, not as cancer victims. A space with as much natural light as possible, with views out onto nature and the sky. A space that would feel safe and welcoming. A space that raises spirits and restores humanity.

The centre would help visitors to find their own best way of coping with the disease. There was to be no ‘right way’. A Maggie’s Centre would provide free practical, emotional and social support to people with cancer and their family and friends. This would range from a cup of tea you could make yourself in a friendly kitchen to attending weekly support groups led by a clinical psychologist.

In November 1996, the first Maggie’s Centre opened in Edinburgh and Maggie’s dream become a reality. There are now 20 Maggie’s Centres in the UK which receive over 200,000 visitors per year. Most of them have been built in the grounds of hospitals with cancer departments, and by some of the most internationally renowned and prestigious architects.

This is not architecture for architecture’s sake. These are places that are making people’s lives better by design. 


...

The architecture of hope: Maggie's Centre, Oldham

And here is a beautiful video of the place:
Maggie’s Centre | dRMM Architects on Vimeo
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Volunteering Opportunity - Zero Waste Shop in Sidmouth

Last August, a new shop opened up in Ottery St Mary:
Fillfull > the new zero-waste, plastic-free shop in Ottery - Vision Group for Sidmouth

It's doing very well indeed:
Fillfull - Home | Facebook

The idea is to do the same for Sidmouth - with a job advertisement just out from the Salvation Army:

Transforming lives in every community | The Salvation Army
Exeter Temple | The Salvation Army

For more details, contact:
Angie Carney, Community Development Manager, Sidmouth at 07889 755777 / 01392 822100 
or Angela.Carney@salvationarmy.org.uk 

The Salvation Army also helps to run the Repair Café in Sidmouth:
Sidmouth Repair Cafe - Home | Facebook
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Fairtrade Fortnight in Sidmouth > starts Mon 25th Feb

It all starts tomorrow:
Futures Forum: Fairtrade Fortnight in Sidmouth > Monday 25th February - Sunday 10th March

With a more detailed programme from the Fairtrade newsletter: 

Exciting news - Fairtrade Fortnight begins on Monday!

We have our new Sidmouth Fair Trade Group banner at the Library.

A quick reminder of what is happening locally.

Monday 25th FEBRUARY - Sunday 10th March 

Displays during all of Fairtrade Fortnight in SIDMOUTH LIBRARY - also raffle with Fairtrade gifts from local businesses.

FRIDAY  1st March 2:30 presentation and a chance to meet  Veronica Browne a Fairtrade Banana Grower from St Vincent in the Windward Islands.

Fairtrade Refreshments, Stalls, (including craft, food, and Waitrose Foundation) information and Fairtrade tombola.

In the morning Veronica  will visit Sidmouth College and be part of a workshop on Fairtrade and Bananas.

SATURDAY 2nd March 10:30 am   Coffee Morning and storyteller Tony Sparkes at Sidmouth Library samples and information about Fairtrade and the raffle continues.

SUNDAY 3rd March 9:30 - 12 pm  FAIRTRADE  & LOCAL BREAKFAST and coffee  at the Methodist Hall with Fairtrade craft and food stalls 

There is a service in the church at 10:30 am - come  if you wish - people will remain in the   Hall for conversations , selling from the  stalls and serving coffee.

SUNDAY 3rd March  Fairtrade Refreshments cake & coffee at the parish church of St Giles & St Nicholas after 10am Eucharist..

SUNDAY 3rd March 3pm - 4:30 pm Community FAIR & LOCAL Cream tea at St Francis Church Hall Woolbrook with stalls,  raffle  and  cake  followed by Evening service at 5pm if you wish. There is a large free car park and it is near bus stops.

Fairtrade stalls and information available at all of the above events and at the Tourist  information office and Sidmouth Herald and on our Facebook page via Sidmouth Council.

We do hope you  will be able to come to at least one of these events.

Supporting Sidmouth - Proud to be a FAIRTRADE TOWN

There will be other activities throughout Devon and across the country - especially in Fairtrade Towns.

The message is ‘SHE DESERVES A LIVING INCOME’

Chocolate is a treat for us. A living income is a human right for farmers.

So choose to buy Fairtrade and Local.

Find out more at Fairtrade Fortnight 2019

Wendy Spratling

Co-ordinator of Sidmouth Fair Trade Group

Supporting Sidmouth Proud to be a Fairtrade Town

Sidmouth Fair Trade Group - Home | Facebook

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Are charity shops "crowding out the independent shops that are needed to ‘revive’ British high streets"?

Are there too many charity shops on our high streets?
Futures Forum: Do charity shops benefit the local economy?
Futures Forum: "We don’t want a main shopping area of charity shops and coffee chains."
Futures Forum: Sidmouth: a town of charity shops and coffee shops?

The Rural Services Network reports on the latest opinions: 

IMPACTS FROM THE RISE OF CHARITY SHOPS


14.01.2019

There are now 11,000 charity shops across the UK, the growth of which has been attributed to government subsidies of up to an 80 per cent discount on business rates, as reported by The Times.

Retail analysts now warn that that charity shops are crowding out the independent shops, cafes and leisure premises that are needed to ‘revive’ British high streets after the worst Christmas in a decade.

There is a huge incentive for landlords to rent empty properties to charity shops as they now have to pay full business rates if a shop is empty for longer than three months. As a result charities are often permitted short leases to rent spaces at low rents.

There have been calls for councils to use discretion to lower business rates for independent shops to rejuvenate high streets.

Impacts from the rise of charity shops - Rural Services Network

Here's the piece from the Times: 

Taxpayer’s charity shop subsidy blamed for high street decline

Andrew Ellson, Consumer Affairs Correspondent | Esther Roberts

January 12 2019, The Times

The number of charity shops has grown rapidly over the past 15 years JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP

Taxpayer support for charitable premises has grown by more than £1 billion over the past decade, adding to concern that subsidies are distorting high streets by fuelling an expansion in the number of charity shops.

Figures from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government show the cost of offering charities an 80 per cent discount on business rates rose to almost £1.9 billion in 2017-18 from £850 million in 2008-09. Retail analysts say this is crowding out the independent shops, cafés, and leisure premises needed to revive town and city centres.

The number of charity shops in Britain has grown rapidly over the past 15 years to more than 11,000 today. Residents and retailers in some towns complain that their high street seems to…

Taxpayer’s charity shop subsidy blamed for high street decline | News | The Times 

With a letter to the Times from the CEO of the Charity Retail Association:

Times Letters: Charity shops and decline of the high street

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
january 14 2019, 12:01am, the times

Sir, Your article “Taxpayer’s charity shop subsidy blamed for high street decline” (News, Jan 12) offers a limited perspective on the role of charity shops in the high street. Business rate relief is the only kind of subsidy that charity shops get, reflecting the fact that they largely sell second-hand goods and thus do not effectively compete with other retailers. They also undertake a whole host of sustainable community activities. There is no objective evidence that charity retail creates town-centre decline; on the contrary, we have plenty of evidence that the sector is responsible for keeping high streets going in what is undoubtedly a difficult climate, providing much-needed footfall and variety.

Robin Osterley
Chief executive, Charity Retail Association

Times Letters: Charity shops and decline of the high street | Comment | The Times

And here's an opinion from the Civil Society group:

Rob Preston: Why The Times is wrong about charity shops

14 Jan 2019 Voices

On Saturday, the Times published an article with the heading “Taxpayer’s charity shop subsidy blamed for high street decline”.

The article says the amount councils have given to charity premises through a mandatory 80 per cent discount on business rates has more than doubled to £1.9bn over the past decade and made it difficult for private retailers to compete.

It says the rate relief has led to a rapid rise in charity shops over the past decade which has “crowded out” independent shops, cafés and leisure premises.

The article also says charities benefit from a local authority charge on premises that are left empty for longer than three months. This scheme, it says, has led some landlords with empty premises to split the cost of discounted business rates with charities if they agree to temporarily use the space.

As a solution, the article suggested councils voluntarily introduce a similar discount on business rates for independent retailers.
Big subsidies

Let’s start with numbers. The Times article says charities received £850m in business rates relief in 2008/09, growing to £1.9bn in 2017/18.

One of these figures is wrong and the other is misleading. According to the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government figures, published in November, charities actually received £1.8bn in mandatory business rates relief in 2017/18. And the £850m for 2008/09 is not adjusted for inflation. £1.1bn for 2008/09 is the comparable figure.

Nevertheless, there has definitely been a big growth in the number of charity shops and therefore the amount the sector has received in business rates relief. It has been no secret that there are many more charity shops now than 10 years ago, so the related rise in business rates relief is not surprising.

However, as the past two Charity Shops Surveys have shown, charities are no longer expanding their shop chains as the same rate they were, if at all, so it is possible we have reached saturation point.

Scrap rate relief?

Thankfully, the article does not directly suggest removing rate relief for charity shops, which the Charity Retail Association believes would make at least half of shops uneconomical.

By putting the £1.9bn figure in the headline though, it goads the reader into questioning whether their hard-earned cash should be used to support charity shops.

It absolutely should. There are a number of benefits to there being more charity shops on and off the high street, but let’s start with their primary function – to provide a source of additional income for good causes.

About half of the charities that respond to the survey are hospices, the majority of which are local organisations. I’m sure most members of the public would be happy that their taxes are going to support palliative care, a service which is coming under increasing demand with an ageing population.

A Charity Retail Association report in 2017 listed additional benefits that charity shops provide, such as creating volunteering opportunities and providing a unique way for donors to recycle old clothes, the latter of which it suggested could even save councils money by preventing them from having to pay landfill tax.

Allies not adversaries

The main thrust of the article is a familiar line that charity shops and the subsidies they receive have led to tougher conditions for private retailers.

Private retailers have certainly endured a tough decade but to lay the blame for this at the door of charities is absurd.

A perfect storm of the 2008 financial crisis and a massive growth in online retailers such as Amazon is what has led to many shops closing in recent years.

Rather than pushing private retailers out, charities have kept high streets alive in a very difficult climate.

While some independent traders might be frustrated that voluntary organisations are offered a rate relief they are not, most value the role charity shops play in maintaining a high footfall on the high street.

Another key point is that charity shops are not direct competitors to private retailers. Unlike their independent neighbours, a majority of what charities sell is used goods. While some are beginning to sell some new products, these are often donated or facilitated by private retailers themselves.

In an age of increased scrutiny over all organisations’ ethical credentials, charity shops offer a perfect partnership for private retailers. It’s a win-win situation.

Solutions

The article does not mention that the government has already tried to reinvigorate the high street by lowering business rates for all retailers by a third from April this year.

To be fair, the article’s suggested solution of councils offering a similar discount in business rates to independent retailers might help them to get established. However, councils are unlikely to offer this on a voluntary basis as they continue to suffer cuts in central government funding.

Recently, Sports Direct owner Mike Ashley suggested at a select committee hearing that a new 20 per cent tax should be introduced for online retailers to help high street shops compete. It is an interesting suggestion although it might be worth the government stopping online retailers avoiding the tax they are already required to pay first.

Unfortunately, the elephant in the room is that Brexit could lead to another recession and an even tougher environment for retailers.

Described by Napoleon as a nation of shopkeepers, Britain should fight to preserve independent retailers as an integral part of its DNA. But whatever the solution is to reinvigorating them, the answer is not to attack their charity neighbours.

Rob Preston: Why The Times is wrong about charity shops
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Homelessness at Christmas: "acts of kindness alone won’t solve the problem: ultimately, it's long-term help that's going to make a difference"

We've got a growing problem with homelessness:
Homelessness in East Devon rises dramatically to 'unprecedented' levels - Vision Group for Sidmouth

This is something people privately are trying to help with:
Gateway Homelessness Action Group - Vision Group for Sidmouth

As is the local authority:
Spike in homelessness in East Devon prompts District Council to take urgent action - Vision Group for Sidmouth

There have been complaints about a long-term homeless person who's been living in his car on the seafront, as reported by Devon Live:
Homeless man making threats from car is upsetting seaside town - Devon Live

But should it be a police problem?
Why You Should Think Twice About Calling the Police on Homeless People

And at this time of year we might feel charitable, but homelessness often gets mixed up with debates about begging:
Don’t demonise beggars. It won’t solve the problem of homelessness - Guardian

Beggars on streets are not homeless, they're fraudsters, say police - Telegraph

But both the Guardian and the Telegraph comment that the 'solution' is housing:

Finland has found the answer to homelessness. It couldn’t be simpler

Harry Quilter-Pinner

The number of rough sleepers in Britain is soaring, with deaths now a weekly occurrence. It’s time we got over our prejudices

Thu 12 Apr 2018

Comments1,297 

‘The tragedy is that it’s entirely within our power to do something about it: homelessness is not a choice.’ A homeless man in London. Photograph: Barry Lewis / Alamy Stock Photo/Alamy Stock Photo

“I was born in Liverpool and grew up on a council estate. I had a clean home, toys and nice meals as a kid. When I was nine years old, the sexual abuse started. My abusers made me feel special. They gave me gifts, moneys, cigarettes and sweets. When I was 13 I ran away from home and soon found myself in the murky world of prostitution on the streets. My life was out of control.” ...

Sceptics will argue that giving homes to homeless people is a recipe for disaster. Aren’t we just subsidising addiction? Won’t we end up with huge bills when it all goes wrong? Don’t people need an incentive to get their lives back on track and engage in services?

Actually, no. The evidence from Finland – as well as numerous other pilot schemes across the world – shows the opposite is true. When people are given homes, homelessness is radically reduced, engagement in support services goes up and recovery rates from addiction are comparable to a “treatment first” approach. Even more impressive is that there are overall savings for government, as people’s use of emergency health services and the criminal justice system is lessened.

At the last election, the government committed to pilot a housing first approach in the UK. This isn’t good enough – we don’t need another pilot. During my time in Finland I didn’t see one homeless person. Within a few hours of coming back to London I walked past more than 100 rough sleepers queuing for food in the rain, just a few minutes from parliament. What we need is action. Ending homelessness is eminently achievable if we have the moral capacity and will to take proper action. We must overcome our prejudices and our apathy. The status quo is simply not good enough.

Finland has found the answer to homelessness. It couldn’t be simpler | Harry Quilter-Pinner | Opinion | The Guardian 

What's the best way to help the homeless?

Myths and misunderstandings about homelessness get in the way of solving the problem. What's the best way to help?

Ed Miliband was embroiled in controversy after giving money to a homeless girl in Manchester last year. Photo: Nigel Roddis

By Olivia Rudgard
21 May 2015

Earlier this week an American boy brought his mother - and a whole restaurant - to tears after he persuaded her to buy a homeless man some food.

But branches of the same restaurant in the UK have been embroiled in controversy after claims they have refused to serve homeless people - or even those who look like they might be homeless. A landscape gardener apparently had to persuade staff to serve him after they refused to give him food because he was wearing dirty clothes...

What's the best way to offer long-term support?

Ultimately, it's long-term help that's going to make a difference. If you can, donating to a charity to support their work is a good way to do something deeper to solve the problem. Whom you donate to depends on whose work you feel strongly about.

There are a wide range of homelessness charities, all of which help different groups of people. Centrepoint and DePaul UK work to help young people who end up homeless. Crisis helps single homeless people, while Shelter, the largest of the UK’s charities, gives practical advice via its phone line, campaigns for measures to alleviate the housing crisis and trains people who work in the housing sector.

Crisis says the law needs to change so single homeless people can access better help. Matt Downie, director of policy and external affairs, says helping individuals is a good thing to do but won't resolve the issue as a whole. “It is extremely heartening to see how people are moved to help when they see someone who’s homeless, but acts of kindness alone won’t solve the problem," he says. "We also need the government to review the help single homeless people in England get under the law so that no-one is forced to sleep rough.”

The charity argues that better funding for homelessness services and more affordable housing is the best way forward.

If you feel passionately about the issue, joining campaigns like this might be the best way to help. Shelter's push for more affordable homes is another leading effort to tackle the deeper roots of homelessness.

What's the best way to help the homeless? - Telegraph
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Sidmouth Repair Café > "generous support" from builders' merchants Bradfords

The last Repair Café saw a very generous donation from the local building suppliers Bradfords:
Futures Forum: Sidmouth Repair Café > Saturday 24th November > "generous sponsorship" from builders' merchants Bradfords

And this letter appeared in today's Herald: 

Thanks To Bradfords.

We have now had three session of the Sidmouth Repair Cafe and I am writing to thank Bradfords Building Supplies and their manager Chris Dunford for their very generous support in supplying us with tools and materials. They started off by supplying us with paint for the bench at the bus stop in Woolbrook Rd and more recently, with a great selection of basic tools and materials to help us with a wide range of repairs. 

Chris  gave us the tools and materials and said, “Bradfords are really happy to help with this community project. Going forward, just ask and we'll be more than happy to help if we can. He was also impressed by what the Repair Café does as a community service, saying “I didn't know what to expect when I visited, but it's not just about repairs , it's about building up relationships and making friendships.”

The repair cafe meets monthly on the last Saturday of the month at The Youth centre in Mansion Lane so if you have anything that needs fixing then come along to our next Cafe on 29th December. We are particularly keen to have more textile and clothing items.

Dave Rafferty

Sidmouth

Sidmouth Repair Cafe - Home | Facebook

With a very handy posting just put out:
How to Fix Christmas Lights | iFixit

The next Repair Café is a week on Saturday:

Sidmouth Repair Cafe - Home | Facebook
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District Council unanimously votes to support the roll-out of Universal Credit, homelessness prevention and local food banks

Sidmouth is a very well-off place, but there are many who are by no means comfortable:
Futures Forum: Poverty in Sidmouth at Christmas

At the last full Council meeting - which was at times febrile - the final debate was very considered and resulted in a motion being unanimously adopted:

EAST DEVON DISTRICT COUNCIL Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held at Knowle, Sidmouth, on Wednesday, 12 December 2018

Public speaking
The Chairman welcomed those present and invited members of the public to address the Council

Andie Milne wished to address the Council on issues relating to food poverty in Sid Valley. She stated that food banks were needed across the whole of the East Devon District, and that there were growing numbers of people trying to access them. This high demand was an issue to be addressed, particularly with the introduction of Universal Credit. She stated that in Sid Valley it was estimated that over 70 families will need help over Christmas, and the Sid Valley food bank was the only one to provide fuel. It gave £160 of fuel to residents last week, and the number of families regularly assisted had recently risen from 15 to 35. 

Councillor Jill Elson stated that EDDC works very closely with food banks, and that most had found premises to be located in. At Exmouth people are provided with food for two weeks and then also referred to the CAB for further advice and help. 

Motion – Findings on extreme poverty and human rights in the United Kingdom 

The following motion was proposed by Councillor Cathy Gardner, seconded by Councillor Marianne Rixson and supported by Councillor Ben Ingham, Councillor Roger Giles, Councillor Matthew Booth, Councillor Peter Faithfull, Councillor Dawn Manley, Councillor Val Ranger. 

“Following the findings of both the UK Equalities and Human Rights Commission and the UN Special Rapporteur on the impact of benefits changes and other spending cuts on people living in the UK, this Council will receive a report on the potential impacts on residents in East Devon and the need for further support from this Council, for example in supporting the roll-out of Universal Credit, homelessness prevention or for local food banks.” 

The proposer, Councillor Cathy Gardner, made the following points. The purpose of the Motion was to ask for a report to be brought for further consideration by Council. She had been shocked by the numbers of people affected by extreme poverty in the UK in 2018, and wanted to establish if there was anything more that EDDC could do to help them. EDDC had a civic duty to help people and the Service Plans were full of good intentions. The Motion was not a criticism of the Council but a request to examine what more could be done. It has been reported in the media that people are struggling with the Introduction of Universal Credit; there Meeting of the Council 12 December 2018 are difficulties in processing Housing Benefit claims causing delays in assisting people; returning empty homes to better use is difficult. 

The seconder, Councillor Marianne Rixson, also referred to the impact of Universal Credit and on people on low pay. Successive government policies had led to real hardship and the need for food banks, and too much delay in getting the first payments of Universal Credit to people. 

Other points made during the debate included the following:

Cllr Rylance had read the report referred to in the Motion and was shocked at the damning of services required by people. She referred to the need for better access to Broadband so that people could access services and claim benefits. 2.5 million people were living just above the poverty line. It is inappropriate to expect volunteers to take up the slack of services needed and plans needed to be put in place for a ‘No Deal Brexit’. National Government would need to make the necessary changes. 

Cllr Elson stated that many of those present at the meeting were involved in volunteering, and summarised the many ways in which EDDC was offering practical help to people, for example, by providing discretionary Housing Benefit payments; helping people complete benefit forms and giving food bank vouchers.

Cllr Godbeer expressed his shame at the way the system does not seem to be working well in some areas, as well as acknowledging the good work done by EDDC. He invited Cllr Gardner to identify what could be done and bring it to the Overview Committee to progress further work. Members considered that it would be helpful to catalogue what the Council does presently, in order to identify what improvements could be made, and also to remember that everyone can contribute individually to the local effort. 

Cllr Thomas thanked Cllr Gardner and Cllr Rixson for bringing the Motion, and Cllr Elson for highlighting the practical work being done to date. He stated that the comments in the reports about Brexit were timely. He invited members to attend a third workshop on Universal Credit to be arranged shortly, to update them on recent developments and its impact on local residents. Cllr Thomas then proposed that the Motion was now put, which was seconded by Cllr Howe. 

The Chairman invited Cllr Gardner to give her right to reply. Cllr Gardner reiterated her thanks to those working on practical support but also the need to ask people and agencies like CAB to identify the gaps and cracks in the system which people fall through when seeking help. 

The Chairman then invited those present to vote. The Chairman stated the outcome of the vote as being carried unanimously by show of hands. 

RESOLVED: that following a vote, the motion proposed by Councillor Cathy Gardner and seconded by Councillor Marianne Rixson was carried unanimously. 

EAST DEVON DISTRICT COUNCIL Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held at Knowle, Sidmouth, on Wednesday, 12 December 2018

The Herald reports:

Number of families using Sid Valley food bank doubles, prompting council action

PUBLISHED: 07:00 14 December 2018
Daniel Clark

Cathy Gardner
The number of people using food banks in the Sid Valley has more than doubled in the last six months.

The Sid Valley Food Bank’s co-ordinator Andie Milne told East Devon councillors on Wednesday night of the alarming numbers of people and the stark rise in numbers of people they are seeing.

She said six months ago, they were dealing with 15 families a week, but last week, more than 30 families came through their doors, including 36 children.

Andie added that last week they helped a family from Axminster as there was no help available in the east of the county. She also raised concerns over what would happen to the emergency food bags at Knowle when the council move to Honiton in early in 2019.

Her comments came prior to the full council unanimously supporting a motion to bring two reports forward that put the spotlight on the impact of benefit changes, cuts and low wages on struggling families. The aim of the motion was to bring the reports’ findings to the council’s attention, so it could look at whether more support needed to be given to those affected by the roll-out of Universal Credit, homelessness prevention and food banks.

Councillor Cathy Gardner, who proposed the motion, said: “Most of us are doing okay and are comfortable, some are doing extremely well, but some are struggling, and we have a civic duty to see if we can do more. I would be horrified to learn if a child suffered as we failed to something in some way to help.

“I am not criticising the council or the hard work that our officers do to help people but simply to ask if there is anything more that we could do, as we know that people are struggling with Universal Credit. If the report says it is all perfect, then we can rest easy, but I want the report to come forward so we can be seen as outstanding, caring and vigilant.”

Cllr Marianne Rixson added that some people are being forced to use food banks just to make ends meet, even though they are in employment.

Cllr Eleanor Rylance said that the national picture showed there were 2.5million people living just 10 per cent above the poverty line. She added: “A small reversal of the economy could put 2.5million people below the poverty line in weeks. We all know of people who are struggling and other who could very soon be struggling.”

Conservative councillor Mike Allen thanked Cllr Gardner for bringing the motion forward. He said: “If you work in a food bank, you get to understand how little accidents or small things can trip someone into a poverty - be it a divorce or splitting up with a partner, or a jobs loss, which leads to a massive hole in your income and you cannot afford what you used to take for granted.”

Cllr Jill Elson, who is responsible for sustainable homes and communities, said that the council worked very closely with food banks across the district and that council staff were currently co-located in the job centres in Exmouth and Honiton to get the 1,013 people in East Devon claiming Universal Credit and were going the extra mile to help them, be it by helping them fill in the forms or giving them food bank credits.

She added that if someone comes to a food bank two weeks in a row, they are referred to the Citizens Advice team who can provide further assistance.

And Cllr Pauline Stott said that every council tenant who is receiving Universal Credit was visited by council staff prior to its implementation.

The motion, the last ever to be discussed at the Knowle in Sidmouth as the council will have moved into its new Honiton HQ by the time of the February 27 meeting, was unanimously approved.

Number of families using Sid Valley food bank doubles, prompting council action | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald
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Social care for north east Dartmoor > "How the decision to get rid of beds at a cottage hospital in Devon inspired the launch of NEDCare, a social enterprise for people in later life."

North East Dartmoor Care "is a new social enterprise set up to provide a range of support and personal care to people in the North East Dartmoor area."
NEDCare – Social care for north east dartmoor

Here's a video about NEDcare made by the Design Council. "The project's aim is to inspire and support other communities to help build social care where they live":

How the decision to get rid of beds at a cottage hospital in Devon inspired the launch of NEDCare, a social enterprise for people in later life.


Watch: Transform Ageing – Discover the impact of NEDcare

Transform Ageing is a design-led initiative that aims to change the experience of ageing for people in the south-west of England. 

We challenged social ventures to find solutions and create lasting change through the initiative, breaking down barriers and supporting ageing societies.

NEDCare is delivering a lasting solution for ageing communities and providing a better solution for people in later life. NEDCare supports communities to build the capacity for care locally. It aims to help other communities create the same level of engagement locally by meeting GP services, pharmacies, parish council and community groups like the Women’s Institute.

Transform Ageing is a pioneering programme taking a community and design led approach to improve people’s experience of ageing. It brings together people in later life, their friends, family and carers, social entrepreneurs and public sector leaders to define, develop and deliver new solutions that better support the needs and aspirations of our ageing communities.

Transform Ageing is brought to you by:

Watch: Transform Ageing – Discover the impact of NEDcare | Design Council
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Plastic and councils: there is no one-size-fits-all solution OR a “barmy” mass of different local approaches to recycling

There's a lot of confusion around recycling - largely because each council has got its own system:
Futures Forum: Plastic and councils: introducing national recycling standards

Keep Britain Tidy thinks this needs changing:

01.10.2018

NATIONAL RECYCLING CONFUSION

The Local Government Association has rejected calls for a nationwide standardised recycling system saying that ‘no one size would work’.

The charity Keep Britain Tidy (KBT) highlighted that there are currently 150 different local waste management systems, arguing it was therefore unsurprising that recycling rates have remained flat over the last year as people were often confused.

Recycling and waste management currently falls under the remit of local authorities and LGC Plus reports that they would be ‘highly sensitive about anything that would appear to reduce their powers and hand them to central government’.

National recycling confusion - Rural Services Network

The Local Government Association on the other hand believes in local solutions:

LGA rejects call for 'nationally consistent' recycling service

28 SEPTEMBER, 2018 BY MARK SMULIAN

The Local Government Association (LGA), which represents councils in England, has rejected the idea of a uniform national recycling collection scheme, LGC’s sister title Materials Recycling World reports.

Environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy (KBT) recently called for government intervention to end what it called a “barmy” mass of different local approaches to recycling.

It said there were more than 150 local waste management systems and it was unsurprising that recycling rates had flatlined, given the public confusion this created. KBT called for the creation of a nationally consistent service, funded by contributions from manufacturers.

But in response the LGA said: ”Our current view is no one size would work.”

Most councils are locked into long-term waste contracts, and are highly sensitive about anything that would appear to reduce their powers and hand them to central government.

LGA environment spokesman Martin Tett, leader of Buckinghamshire County Council, said: “Recycling has been a real success story for councils and residents. Rates have quadrupled in the past decade and millions of tonnes of waste has been diverted from landfill.

“There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to waste collection services, and councils always work with householders to offer the best service possible.

“We know this local approach works because our polling shows eight out of 10 people are happy with the way their local council collects their rubbish.”

The Welsh and Scottish administrations have already implemented standardised collection methods across local authorities to some degree.

The forthcoming resources and waste strategy is expected to establish a system of harmonised collections across England, after years of work by WRAP on the matter.

Environment secretary Michael Gove told the BBC’s Gardeners’ World programme recently that he wanted to see more consistent kerbside recycling.

Gove said: “There is a wide array of different rules and regulations on recycling depending on where you are in the country.

“One of the things that we hope to do…is to bring a degree of coherence so that, across the country, wherever you are, you will know how to recycle and make it easier and clearer for everyone to do the right thing.”

KBT’s action plan Breaking Bad Habits: Moving Towards a Zero Waste Society said that numerous studies had “demonstrated that the public are confused when it comes to managing household waste, having to contend not only with a complex array of packaging materials but also a bewildering landscape of collection systems comprising multi-coloured boxes, bins and bags.

“It is perhaps not surprising that our recycling rates have flatlined. We want to see the development of a standardised national recycling system, collecting a consistent set of easily recycled packaging materials.”

Chief executive Allison Ogden-Newton said, “The public has a huge role to play in helping to drive this change. But we need to get rid of the existing complexity and develop a simple, nationally consistent collection system combined with tangible rewards to encourage better recycling.”

LGA rejects call for 'nationally consistent' recycling service | News | Local Government Chronicle
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How to revive the health of Sidmouth's high street >>> >>> Does Sidmouth have too many charity shops?

Does Sidmouth have too many charity shops?
Futures Forum: Sidmouth: a town of charity shops and coffee shops?

This was discussed at the meeting chaired by MP Hugo Swire, looking at the state of Sidmouth's high street: 

Does Sidmouth have too many charity shops? Questions asked by MP Sir Hugo Swire at business meeting | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald
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Universal Basic Income @ Radio 4's In Business

The idea of a UBI seems to be gaining traction:
Futures Forum: Universal Basic Income @ Radio 4's Thinking Allowed

And here it is again on Radio 4 from earlier this week:

Kenya's Basic Income Experiment

In Business

What happens if you give every adult in a village $22 a month, no strings attached, for 12 years? In rural Kenya, researchers are trying to find out. They're conducting the world's largest study of 'universal basic income' - giving 'free money' to nearly 200 villages, to see whether this could kick-start development and bring people out of poverty. The BBC's Africa correspondent Anne Soy visits western Kenya to meet some of the people involved in this giant economic experiment, and to find out what they make of this unexpected windfall in their lives. How will people spend the money? Will they try to start businesses, or stay in education longer? Or will people stop working, now they have a guaranteed income? What impact will this have on the villages? The BBC intends to return to the same village over the course of the study, to continue to monitor and assess the impact of this 'basic income', and to see what difference it makes to peoples' lives, the choices they make, and the dreams they hold.

BBC Radio 4 - In Business, Kenya's Basic Income Experiment

And this is from a couple of years ago, also from Radio 4:

AUDIO: “Money for Nothing” on BBC Radio 4

 August 18, 2016  Kate McFarland  Audio, podcasts, & radio, From the web

Writer Sonia Sodha conducted a podcast about universal basic income for the BBC’s Radio 4, and published a corresponding article, “Is the left’s big new idea a ‘right to be lazy’?”

Certainly, describing UBI as a policy designed to protect the “right to be lazy” is inaccurate, and likely to offend most UBI supporters. However, the content of Sodha’s podcast and article does not depict UBI as a mere means to enable idleness.

On the contrary, Sodha interviews a broad sample of prominent supporters of the policy, and a couple of opponents, revealing that the debate is in fact much more complex. One of her first interviewees, the Green Party MP Caroline Lucas, explains how a UBI would permit a shift away from the growth model of the economy. Next, former Labour leader Ed Miliband expresses his concern that the welfare state is old-fashioned and inadequately equipped to deal with the changing tides of work. Similarly, the RSA’s Anthony Painter defends basic income as a necessary buffer against insecure employment. Becca Kirkpatrick, another advocate of UBI, relates an anecdote about her own partner, who’s held back from making a transition to a more fulfilling line of work due to the need to pay the bills. Nick Srnicek, who believes that basic income is needed to empower workers, also discusses related policy options, such as shorter work weeks for the same pay. Rounding out the panel of UBI proponents, Sodha interviews Sam Bowman of the Adam Smith Institute, who lays out a free-market justification for giving money to everyone.

Near the end of the podcast, a few of these UBI proponents have the opportunity to reply to counter-arguments from opponents such as the Labour Party’s Jon Cruddas, who sees basic income as giving up on what the Left is about–the workplace.   

Listen to the 30-minute podcast below:

Sonia Sodha, “Money for Nothing“, Analysis, BBC Radio 4; July 17, 2016.

Sonia Sodha, “Is the left’s big new idea a ‘right to be lazy’?” Analysis, BBC Radio 4; July 15, 2016.  

AUDIO: "Money for Nothing" on BBC Radio 4 | Basic Income News
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