Family Life

Successful Year for Seaton Wetlands Summer Holiday Club

East Devon District Council is pleased to announce another highly successful year for the Seaton Wetlands Summer Holiday Club, which continues to bring children closer to nature.

Organised annually during the first week of August by the East Devon District Council Countryside team, the...

News Desk

News Desk

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This World Book Day, half a million children in the UK don’t own a single book

As reading attainment rises in schools, reading for pleasure continues its sharp decline

To mark World Book Day 2023, the charity is calling on teachers, carers and parents to ensure that reading for pleasure is encouraged as much as reading attainment, in and outside of schools.

While reading was the only core subject which saw attainment levels improve in 2022, (at Key Stage 2, 75...

children, running, outside through daffodils in gardens

National Trust Easter egg trails across Devon

Bring the whole family together this Easter and treat your loved ones to a spring adventure with the National Trust.

From getting active in the great outdoors, to spotting the signs of spring and experiencing nature bursting into life at the places the National Trust cares for, there are lots of Easter trails to choose from in Devon and beyond.

Every single National Trust...

Donkey and mother and daughter

Spring into the new season at The Donkey Sanctuary

With spring just around the corner, The Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth is the perfect day out for all the family this half term.

The sanctuary is free to visit and is set in the heart of the East Devon countryside, overlooking the world-famous Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.

For those looking to combine exercise and brainpower the ‘Stories of Sanctuary Spirit’ trail is a...

Dinosaur World Live roars into Plymouth for the Easter holidays 

Direct from London’s West End, Dinosaur World Live , the interactive children’s theatre show that brings dinosaurs to life on stage, is back for a 2022 UK Tour, which includes dates at Theatre Royal Plymouth (9–11 April 2023).

Using stunning puppetry to bring remarkably life-like dinosaurs to the stage, Dinosaur World Live presents a host of impressive pre-historic creatures...

Boost your childcare budget this half term

As the February half term draws closer, families are being reminded that they can save up to £2,000 a year on childcare costs with Tax-Free Childcare.  

More than 37,600 families in the South West used the scheme in September 2022 and benefitted from the government paying towards childcare costs. 

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is encouraging families to find out more about...

Discover a World on your Window this Half term at RHS Rosemoor!

Rainy weather won’t stop you from having fun this half-term at RHS Rosemoor – discover a whole new World on Your Windowsill this February with a week of fun family activities.

This holiday programme of events is jam-packed with gardening activities, crafting, and the chance to leave with handmade items that will brighten up the home. Whatever the weather, families will be able to get...

There’s always time for a cuppa with Exeter, Mid & East Devon Samaritans 

The local branch of Samaritans is encouraging people across Exeter and East Devon to reach out to someone they care about for a cuppa and a catch up for Brew Monday - that’s January 16, the third Monday of January.

Volunteers from the branch will be out in force, with tea bags and cups, at six stations in the area: Exeter St David’s, Exeter Central, Exmouth, Dawlish, Tiverton Parkway...

Keeping siblings together - Plymouth foster family provide permanent loving home for brother and sister

Just over three years ago, primary school teacher, Nicola Black*, 43, her husband James and their three children, twins Anna* and Tony*, 14, and Harry* age 12, welcomed foster siblings, Jack* 7, and Jess* 5, into their loving family home, now they are one big happy family. Plymouth has one of the highest numbers of looked after children in the South West 1 , Nicola and her family are urging...

Seasonal snacks could be toxic for your pets

At Christmas, it’s tempting, when eating your favourite festive food, to share seasonal snacks with your furry friends.

But, warns animal expert, what can be a tempting treat for you could lead to a toxic trauma for your pet.

And it's not just at Christmas, warns Laura Roberts a specialist lecturer at South Devon College : "Winter as a whole is a time when our animal...

Leading baby loss charity returning to Plymouth to honour lost babies

A service of remembrance for families, couples and individuals affected by the loss of a baby, whether that be during pregnancy, at birth or in infancy is to be held on Saturday the 19th November at 11.00am at St Andrew’s Minster, Plymouth. In addition, anyone grieving never having children, is also most welcome to attend.

The ‘Saying Goodbye’ services, which are open to people of...

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