When Covid restrictions allowed, we provided safe enjoyable access to the South West’s most scenic locations for anyone who has difficulty walking, through our off road mobility scooter hire scheme – Countryside Mobility.  Giving people the opportunity to spend time outdoors and experience the countryside independently; spending time with family and friends: all contributing to improved wellbeing.

Countryside Mobility

We produced a podcast with a focus on the outdoors for people to connect with when movements were restricted during lockdowns.  Listen to all the ‘Inside Out’ Podcast episodes.

Inside Out Podcast

We increased the capacity of our Time to Talk team (our telephone / webcam support service). Our team provided regular ‘befriending’ telephone calls to people with a range of disabilities / long term health conditions including people who were shielding and people with mental ill health. Through guided conversations the team helped people motivate themselves to regain and  maintain good general health.  60% of respondents told us they feel less lonely/isolated since receiving support from Time to Talk.

Time To Talk

We provided support to members of the Deaf community through our Deaf Led Services team.  The team offered peer support via FaceTime, practical help and guidance in British Sign Language.

Deaf Led Services

We worked hard to increase participation in physical activity for local people with disabilities, long term health conditions and Deaf British Sigh Language users, helping to address the impact of Covid 19 on people’s health and wellbeing.  We produced our own online fitness resources as well as providing signposting to accessible fitness sessions on our Social Media pages and YouTube channel.  53% said our social media content and resources helped them feel more connected 

Living Options Devon Keep Active

We were able to offer specialist BSL counselling for Deaf people as well as counselling for disabled people.  Feedback from our counselling provision highlights that lockdowns added another barrier to the lives of disabled people, many of whom face barriers already. Counselling helped them to keep a sense of perspective and to make positive plans for the future.   

Counselling Service

We developed a HUB team as our first point of contact for those in need of practical and wellbeing support.  For example help with food deliveries and managing feelings of worry and isolation. We have been a regular point of contact for those people who need to have someone to feel they are not alone in the world. In a recent survey, 83% of respondents reported that it was helpful talking to someone  and  84% of respondents told us the support has helped them feel less alone.                                            

The Hub

We responded to an increasing need for support for disabled and Deaf victims of crime. Referrals to our Victim Care service almost doubled within the last year.

Victim Care and Support

We gathered up to date information from disabled and Deaf people about the emerging issues throughout the pandemic, enabling us to influence service provision. Our engagement team liaised with over 1000 people who took part in our engagement activities.  Our CEO has presented many of our consultation reports during public strategic meetings to influence meaningful change across the whole system. 

Devon Engagement Service

We continued to provide Advocacy support to vulnerable people across Devon and Torbay, in total we received 1,543 referrals. We adapted our way of working meaning that most of our support was provided remotely, unless the client was at particular risk without face-to-face advocacy. We have worked closely with hospitals and care homes to ensure people maintain their right to statutory independent advocacy during this difficult time.

Devon Advocacy Service (DAC)