Care and support in the South Hams

Next Steps Together (NeST) is highlighting the importance of accessible, community-based support for people living with dementia and those around them.

Based at Tumbly Hill in Kingsbridge, NeST offers a range of inclusive activities designed to support cognitive, social and emotional wellbeing. These include a Memory Café, Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) and smaller group sessions such as Read & Reminisce, alongside opportunities for care partners to access counselling, peer support, training and advice. We also work with local organisations, schools and businesses to build greater understanding of dementia across generations and the wider community.

Our approach is grounded in dignity, independence and connection. We are continuing to grow our range of dementia-accessible community activities at Tumbly Hill Wellbeing Hub, helping people living with dementia and their families remain part of their community for as long as possible.

Over the next two years, we plan to develop this into a specialist Dementia Meeting Centre, supporting both individuals and families five days a week.

Find out more at nextstepstogether.org or call 01548 853033

If you’re experiencing blocked ears, reduced hearing, discomfort, tinnitus, or dizziness caused by excess ear wax, professional ear wax removal can provide fast, safe, and effective relief.

As the Winner of the Best Ear Care Clinic in the South West, you can be confident you’re receiving exceptional care from an experienced and trusted professional at Clear Hear Devon. Using the latest ear wax removal techniques, including microsuction and irrigation (where clinically appropriate), treatment is carried out safely, comfortably, and with your wellbeing as the priority.

For those who are unable to attend the clinic, or who simply prefer treatment in familiar surroundings, professional home visits are available throughout the local area. This service also extends to residents in residential and nursing homes, ensuring everyone has access to expert ear care.

Every appointment includes a thorough ear examination before treatment, ensuring the safest and most appropriate care for your individual needs.

Don’t let ear wax affect your hearing, confidence, or quality of life. Choose an award-winning ear care service dedicated to providing professional, compassionate, and effective treatment.

Book today and experience the difference award-winning ear care can make.

Easy to book online at www.clearheardevon.co.uk or call Cerez Doyle on 01752 749698.

Choosing the right care home is about finding somewhere that offers exceptional care alongside comfort, companionship and peace of mind. At The Fleet Care Home in Dartmouth, we are proud to provide high-quality Residential, Nursing, Dementia and Respite care, delivered by our experienced and compassionate team in a welcoming environment where residents can continue to enjoy life to the fullest.

Situated in the picturesque town of Dartmouth, our purpose-built home has been designed to provide a safe, comfortable and enriching place to live. We believe outstanding care is about more than meeting daily needs. By getting to know every resident as an individual, we create personalised care plans that promote independence, dignity and wellbeing. Our continuum of care also means residents can remain in familiar surroundings if their needs change over time.

Life at The Fleet is vibrant and fulfilling. Our varied wellbeing programme offers opportunities to stay active, social and engaged through activities, entertainment and outings, helping residents build friendships and create lasting memories. Residents also enjoy excellent facilities, including 79 beautifully furnished en-suite bedrooms, a cinema room, hair salon and spa, peaceful library, the popular Cove Bistro and beautifully mature, landscaped gardens where residents can relax with family and friends.

We are also proud to offer the MacBride Dementia Community, designed specifically for people living with mild to moderate dementia. Whether joining us for respite or permanent care, residents benefit from specialist support, meaningful companionship and activities that enhance daily life while providing reassurance for families.

Our commitment to delivering the highest standards of care is reflected in our GOOD CQC rating and outstanding 9.8 score on carehome.co.uk, reinforcing our reputation as one of Dartmouth's leading care homes.

Above all, The Fleet is more than just a care home – it is a welcoming community where residents are encouraged to live life their way, surrounded by kindness, friendship and expert care. We warmly invite anyone considering care for themselves or a loved one to visit, meet our team and experience first-hand everything The Fleet has to offer.

At Home Instead Ivybridge, we believe that growing older should never mean giving up independence, dignity or the comfort of home. Our mission is to help older people continue living safely and happily in the place they know and love best, surrounded by familiar memories, routines and communities.

As a locally owned and operated home care provider, we are proud to support older people and their families across Ivybridge, Kingsbridge, the South Hams and surrounding areas. Every day, our dedicated Care Professionals provide companionship, personal care, dementia support, respite care and live-in care, helping clients maintain their independence and quality of life.

What makes Home Instead different is our relationship-led approach. We understand that great care is about much more than practical support. It is about building trust, creating meaningful connections and taking the time to understand each person's individual needs, preferences and life story. We see every day the difference that compassionate, personalised care can make, not only to our clients but also to their families.

We are particularly proud to have achieved a CQC Outstanding rating, an accolade awarded to only a small proportion of care providers. This reflects the commitment, professionalism and kindness shown by our entire team and our determination to deliver exceptional care every day.

As more people choose to remain in their own homes for longer, high-quality home care has never been more important. At Home Instead Ivybridge, we are honoured to support older people to live life on their own terms, with dignity, independence and the care they deserve. Please contact 01752 938220 or email [email protected] if you would like to discuss yours or a loved one’s care requirements.

“So, what is the connection between Kingsbridge Age Concern and Dinosaurs?”

“That’s a very good question! Let me explain…” replied longstanding volunteer Chairman and driving force behind what the operation is today, Graham Smith.

“Despite having served our local Over 55s community since 1981 as an independent, self financing charity and operating from our purpose built community centre since 2003, we were astonished to find that even as recently as a couple of years ago, there were local people who still didn’t know who were, what we were, and – most importantly – what goes on at the Care Hub. We jokingly commented that perhaps people thought we were all Dinosaurs – so we decided to show everyone just how much fun Dinosaurs can have!”

Since their very first appearance during the 2024 Kingsbridge Carnival Procession, the Dinosaurs have had many regular ‘outings’ at local events and are now synonymous with Kingsbridge Age Concern and Kingsbridge Care Hub.

“They certainly attract attention wherever we go - I think we get as many requests for photographs with them from adults as children but, who doesn’t love a Dinosaur?”

A perfect way to break the ice and get chatting!

People are now realising just how much goes on at the Care Hub, for all ages and that is critical. As a charity, Kingsbridge Age Concern has a remit to support the Over 55s in terms of what they do; however, the Care Hub has no such limitation and is there for the benefit of everyone – truly an ideal community centre for the whole town.

With its fully accessible, central location, close to parking and transport, and light, bright ground floor rooms the venue lends itself to a wealth of activities from children’s parties to celebrations of life; amateur theatrical rehearsals and auditions to band practices; AGM’s and company meetings to pop-up shops and craft fairs; slimming and exercise groups to film presentations … and so much more. Whether you require a one-off booking or a regular ‘home’ for your group; catered or room only, just get in touch and find out how we can help.

Tel: 01548 856650 / Email: [email protected] / Web: www.kingsbridgecare.org

Most people believe that if you are named as a loved one’s next of kin, you are entitled to make decisions on behalf of your loved one. Sadly, this is not always the case.

The Office of the Public Guardian is the executive agency which helps people in England and Wales stay in control of decisions relating to health and welfare and also a person’s financial affairs. They surveyed the public on this point and their survey found that 72% of people surveyed believed that their next of kin always gets the final say in treatment decisions at hospital if you cannot make them yourself. Sadly, this is simply not true. Medical decisions need the specific, agreed consent of the person involved, before a next of kin might be included in treatment or welfare choices on someone else’s behalf.

Planning for the future is never easy, but it could take away the heartache and upset involved in such a situation. A Lasting Power of Attorney for Health and Welfare gives you the peace of mind that you have appointed a trusted person to act as your attorney. That person can then make decisions about your daily routine, your medical care, care arrangements such as a move to a care home or live-in-carers and decisions about life-sustaining treatment, if you cannot make these decisions for yourself.

Putting a Lasting Power of Attorney in place for your property and financial affairs and your health and welfare should be as important as making a Will. Powers of Attorney are not just for some people, they are designed for everyone, and their aim is to protect your future health decisions as well as your property and finances.

Beers Solicitors are here to support and guide you through the process of creating your Lasting Powers of Attorney.

Beers Solicitors are happy to welcome Sarah Martin, as a new Solicitor and head of the Private Client Department. Sarah works with Kate Shute and Anna Zdanowska at Beers Solicitors, 29 Fore Street, Kingsbridge, TQ7 1AA

Tel: 01548 857000 / Web:www.beersllp.com