Recovery Devon

Fancy spending some time on a farm? 🧑‍🌾 Come and join Roo at Roosland, in Crediton, for her "Get on My Land" wellbeing volunteer open days!

This month they take place on 10th and 23rd March, 10.30am-4pm.

Practical projects, support, nature connection activities, fellowship, fun and food.

Contact Roo on 07960125901 or email [email protected], if you're interested.

𝑴𝒊𝒅 𝑫𝒆𝒗𝒐𝒏 -

ECOE Advice are holding a free advice clinic at Churches Housing Action Team - CHAT tomorrow, Tuesday 11th February, from 9:30am - 12:30pm. Are you struggling to pay bills, too scared to turn the heating on or want to know how to make your house more energy efficient?

Can't make it tomorrow, ECOE Advice clinics are at CHAT twice a month on the 2nd Tuesday and last Thursday, 9:30am - 12:30pm, no need to book just drop in. The next clinic is on Tuesday 11th February.

📍 Coggan’s Well House,
Phoenix Lane, Tiverton,
Devon EX16 6LU

are back again this Tuesday, 11th February, from 9:30am - till 12:30pm.
Come by to chat about how they can help with your energy bills and keep you warm & well this winter.

This week try turning down your thermostat – Lower it by just 1°C and save up to 10% on heating bills. Don’t forget to layer up for extra coziness! For more tips pop in on Tuesday, no need to book.

🌟 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱’𝘀 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗢𝘄n 🌟

This 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸, we recognise the challenges that come with being a parent who is also managing their own mental health. It’s okay to admit that it can be hard—caring for your children while also caring for yourself can feel like a lot. 💙

You’re doing your best, and sometimes that’s enough. If you're a parent living with mental health difficulties, you're not alone in this journey. Supporting your child's mental health can sometimes feel overwhelming, but it starts with understanding that your mental health matters too.

Here are some gentle ways to support both your own well-being and your child’s:

𝟭. 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀
It’s important for your child to know that their feelings are valid and that it’s okay to talk about what’s going on in their world. Just as you may need to express your feelings, your child will benefit from a safe, open environment to do the same. Encourage them to talk, but also let them know it's okay if they don’t have the words right away.

𝟮. 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽𝘀 𝗧𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿
Caring for your own mental health might mean finding small ways to nurture yourself each day. Similarly, your child doesn’t need to be ‘fixed’—just supported. A walk together, a story, or a quiet moment can do wonders for both of you, without feeling the pressure to make everything perfect.

𝟯. 𝗗𝗼 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗬𝗼𝘂
Every family and every situation is different. You don’t need to follow a set formula. If it feels right to spend time together doing an activity, do it. If it feels like a good day to focus on self-care, it’s okay to take a step back. Trust yourself to know what’s best for your family at any given moment.

𝟰. 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝘀
Some days will be easier than others, and that’s perfectly okay. Celebrate the little things that go right—whether it’s a good conversation, a calm moment, or even just a moment of peace. Progress doesn’t have to look big to be meaningful.

𝟱. 𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗜𝘁
You don’t have to handle everything on your own. It’s okay to ask for help when you need it. Whether it's talking to a friend, a professional, or simply accessing the right support for both you and your child, asking for help shows strength, not weakness.

𝘙𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳, 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥'𝘴 𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵. 𝘐𝘵 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩.

𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁:

Family Lives (Support for parents): www.familylives.org.uk
YoungMinds (Support for children and young people): www.youngminds.org.uk
Mind UK (Mental health support for all): www.mind.org.uk
Family Action (Support for families facing challenges): www.family-action.org.uk
Action for Children (Support for families and children): www.actionforchildren.org.uk
Gingerbread (Support for single parents): www.gingerbread.org.uk
Minded for Families (Mental health support for children and families): www.mindedforfamilies.org.uk
The Family and Childcare Trust: www.familyandchildcaretrust.org
Anna Freud Centre (Support for children, young people, and families): www.annafreud.org