Proposals to Close Mental Health Service Centres

from EX33 - April 2023

THE BRAUNTON EXPRESS

Devon County Council (DCC) is undertaking a consultation process on the proposal to:

Close the North Devon Link Service (NDLS) Drop-in centres in Barnstaple, Bideford and Ilfracombe.

Close the NDLS drop-in service that run out of those buildings and work with current service users to confirm their needs and agree alternative support.

Targeted investment in the voluntary and community sector, may be considered to support the development of alternative services if not readily accessible.

To cease the outreach support to those people in receipt of Care Act eligible services, including assessments, and instead provide the support in different ways to be agreed with current service users

DCC is seeking your views on the future of the NDLS.

Braunton Parish Council

Clerk’s Office

Chaloners Road

Braunton

Devon, EX33 2ES

Phone: 01271 812131

Email: info@brauntonparishcouncil.gov.uk

Web: www.brauntonparishcouncil.gov.uk

Facebook.com/BrauntonParishCouncil

Twitter: @brauntonparish

Hours: 09.00 - 12.00 Monday - Friday

Tracey Lovell, Clerk to the Council

Angela Corner, Senior Council Officer

The consultation provides you with an opportunity to help them consider the future of the service. They want to make the right decisions for individuals whilst also considering the difficult choices they need to make as a council.

DCC say “it is committed to supporting adults with mental health and wellbeing needs in the best way that it can. To do this well we must constantly review everything we do to make sure we are getting the best possible outcomes from the resources we have available and that access is as equitable as possible for everyone across the county.”

DCC is facing a huge financial challenge and are reviewing all areas of their work to ensure that resources are being used as effectively as possible.

The consultation ends on 8 April Link to the consultation: https://forms.office.com/e/ZarkSQnxjV

Meetings Calendar 2023

Full Council meetings are currently being held in the Parish Hall and additional meetings, to primarily consider planning applications, are currently being held virtually.

7pm Tuesday 11 April 2023

7pm Monday 24th April 2023

Do you find it difficult to get out and about?

Go North Devon Ring & Ride have a varied timetable of forthcoming trips to Barnstaple town centre, local supermarkets, visits to local attractions, garden centres and pub lunches.

If you use a walker or frame, struggle with steps or need to travel in your own wheelchair, the minibus is specially adapted with a tail lift.

For more information or to book call us on 01271 328866 or visit www.gonorthdevon.co.uk for our latest timetables (registration and bookings - Mon to Fri 09.00-12.30pm.)

Registered Society No: IP27719R

Paisley is a one year old Trailhound who loves an outdoor adventure!

He’s a sociable lad with other dogs when out and about but he can be boisterous so whilst he works on his doggy socialisation, he’d prefer to be the only dog in his new home. He’s a keen student when tasty treats are involved and knows a ‘sit’ and he is learning a ‘wait’.

Paisley doesn’t appreciate being snuggled in close but as he gets to know someone and has built up a trusting bond, he does enjoy gentle fuss and shows affection. Paisley arrived as a stray so we know very little about his history. He has been visiting the staff accommodation and learning all about the sights, sounds and smells of a home environment.

Paisley is looking for a loving and understanding home with adult adopters. He is not a dog who would enjoy busy environments like trips to the pub or busy cafes, preferring a quiet rural life with lots of outdoor adventures. He would like his adopters around for most of the time and any time left alone will need to be built up gradually.

Adopters interested in Paisley should be prepared to visit the rehoming centre a few times so you can get to know each other and build up a bond prior to adoption.

If you think you could give Paisley the loving home that he deserves please take a look at his profile on Dogs Trust’s website www.dogstrust.org.uk/rehoming

Cats of the Month - Purdey & Gambit

Twelve year old tabby and white Purdey has always lived with her black and white brother Gambit and the two are great friends. So they will always remain together even in their new home.

Although much loved since kittenhood, sharing their previous home with two dogs in recent years proved just too stressful for them. Time did not improve things so as painful as it was their owners decided they would be far happier being only pets in a new home.

Both were very shy at first, usually squeezing into a shared bed whenever people were around just for a bit of added security. After a few weeks in our care much has changed and they now enjoy and ask for a bit of fuss and have both shown what very affectionate sweet natured cats they really are.

A few special words about Gambit. As always with older CP cats, as well as the usual health checks Gambit had a senior blood test. This led to further tests, which showed him to have moderate heart disease, currently controlled by one preventative dose of medication per day which he happily takes in his food. This may or may not progress as he gets older, but in any event CP have decided to waive the usual £85 adoption fee and send him off with a some of the medicine he needs. Oh, and by the way, just to be different, a few years ago he lost a back leg in a fight with a car. He doesn't seem to mind, though, and is deceptively quick and agile when he wants to be. Just like any other cat.

All these two siblings need is a chance to enjoy a quiet, peaceful home with no other pets or children where with time we are sure they will blossom and be much loved pets once again.

For further information please contact: