Devon Improves to Help People Who Are Struggling

Devon added three new mental health centers this year. One in Exeter, one in Plymouth, and one in Torquay. It's free and no appointment is required for emergencies.

NHS Devon has finally made video calls work for people stuck on Dartmoor. Makes sense—not everyone can drive an hour to see a counselor. And honestly, some people prefer to talk from home.

More people are seeking help for addictions. Not just drugs or alcohol—gambling, internet, shopping, all sorts of things. The Devon Partnership Trust says this is up 15% compared to last year.

The thing is, when someone has a gambling problem, it takes more than willpower. It takes tools like GamStop to block online, plus local counseling, family support, maybe financial advice. It all works together.

Where You Can Really Get Help

Exeter Community Hub is located on Sidwell Street. Open Monday to Friday. They see about 200 people each month. A mix of money problems, addiction, and life spiraling out of control. The staff know their stuff—real counselors, not just volunteers reading scripts.

Plymouth Wellbeing Center does things differently. Art therapy, meditation, classical therapy. Whatever works for you. They've helped over 300 people get back on their feet last year.

Torquay Crisis Support answers the phone 24/7: 01803 847 847. Real people, not recordings. They work with the police and hospitals when things get really serious.

Rural towns have mobile units once a week:

• Okehampton: Thursdays
• Tavistock: Tuesdays
• Totnes: Wednesdays
• Children's stack: Fridays

The van arrives, the counselors set up in the community center or library, and people can just walk by. No travel to big cities, no waiting lists.

People Who Are Really Doing Better

Sarah from Exeter almost lost her teaching job because of gambling. She spent the mortgage money, lied to her husband, the whole mess. It took 18 months, but she's teaching again now. She even helps others as a volunteer.

Plymouth runs group sessions that are pretty successful. About 8 out of 10 people who complete the program stay clean for two years. That's not bad luck.

Local businesses also help:

1. Some employers let employees leave early
2. Housing associations keep apartments available for emergencies
3. Churches organize support groups (no need to be religious)
4. Football clubs give people something else to do

How Families Handle This Stuff

When someone is addicted, their family suffers too. Children know something is wrong even if their parents try to hide it.

Torquay hosts sessions for families once a month. About 150 families attend regularly. They learn that addiction is a medical condition, not a character flaw. And they understand how to help without making things worse.

Social services work with addiction programs instead of just removing children. It keeps families together 85% of the time when parents seek help early.

Financial Aid That Really Exists

Citizens' Advice has offices in every city. Free advice on debt, legal issues, and benefits. They know all the tricks for dealing with creditors.

Emergency aid includes:

1. Housing fund if you are going to be evicted
2. Help with electricity bills during recovery
3. Vocational training to start again
4. Small business loans if you want to work for yourself

Credit unions lend money at fair rates instead of loan sharks who make everything worse. Devon Savings and Loans says 9 out of 10 people who take their money course stay out of debt.

How Ordinary People Help

Volunteers who have experienced addiction themselves mentor new people. It works better than having someone who has never struggled try to give advice.

About 40 local companies hire people in recovery. They provide extra support and flexible hours. It turns out that most of these employees work harder than average because they're grateful for the opportunity.

Community events take place throughout the year:

1. Recovery walk in central Exeter
2. Swim in Plymouth Harbour for charity
3. Hiking on Dartmoor
4. Local football tournaments

What Happens Next

Devon plans more services for 2025. Better coverage in villages, teen programs, more family support.

The county has realized that helping people in their own communities works better than sending them far away for treatment. When you feel connected to where you live and have multiple types of help available, you're more likely to heal and stay healed.

Recovery doesn't happen in isolation. It happens when communities decide to truly support each other instead of just pretending problems don't exist.