If you are looking for help with your situation you can contact Forcesline for confidential and independent support on 0800 7314880.
- Moving to DevonSchools and childcare
Moving to Devon
Health Services
You will need to register with local health providers such as a doctor, dentist and optician. Try to register as soon as possible so that there is no break in any ongoing care and medication you may be receiving.
Find a service near you:
Find a local doctor: devon.cc/gpindevon
Find a local dentist: devon.cc/dentistindevon
Find a local pharmacy: devon.cc/pharmacyindevon
Find a local optician: devon.cc/opticianindevon
When you find a doctor and dentist near where you live, or will be living, you will need to contact them directly and ask for a new patient form.
A pharmacist can help you with minor illnesses and injuries, and advise you on the best over-the-counter medicines.
The NHS recommends that you have an eye test every two years. Contact your local optician and book an eye test with them directly.
Children’s health services
Many specialist children’s services such as child and adolescent mental health, speech and language therapy, community nursing and the autism diagnosis service are provided by the Devon Integrated Children’s Service. You can find help, advice, toolkits and information online.
Visit: http://devon.integratedchildrensservices.co.ukTraveline
To get around Devon, Travel Line South West provides a quick service to find and plan journeys in and around the county.
Visit: www.traveline.infoCouncil Tax – district councils
Council Tax is paid to your local district council. You can find out which one this is through the Gov.uk council finder.
Visit: www.gov.uk/find-your-local-councilOnce you’ve found your local district council you can visit their council tax pages to find out how to contact them and to view local details.
Visit: http://devon.cc/districtcounciltaxYou can also use a Gov.uk tool to find out the council tax band of your property.
Visit: www.gov.uk/council-tax-bandsFind a home
You can use Rightmove or Zoopla to find a property that suites your needs. These services list many homes to buy or rent in Devon.
Rightmove: devon.cc/rightmovedevon
Zoopla: devon.cc/zoopla
SupportSchools and childcare
Children’s centres
Children’s centres offer advice, support and activities for all parents and carers of children from pregnancy until the children are five years old.
Find a children’s centre in Devon: http://devon.cc/childrenscentres
Find a children’s centre in Plymouth: http://devon.cc/childrenscentresplymouth
Find a children’s centre in Torbay: http://devon.cc/childrenscentrestorbay
Devon Family Information Service
Information for parents and carers of children and young people aged 0-19 years. Contact the service for information on registered childcare, support, activities and sports for children, young people and parents.
Visit: http://devon.cc/familyinformationserviceChildcare
Information about choosing and paying for childcare and the options available to parents and carers
Visit: http://devon.cc/childcareSchools in Devon
There are a range of different school options, including grammar schools, academies and federated schools. You can search for schools in your area and then visit the school’s individual websites to find out details about the school and it’s application process .
Find a school in Devon: devon.cc/devonschools
Find a school in Plymouth: devon.cc/plymouthschools
Find a school in Torbay: devon.cc/torbayschools
Applying for a school place
In most cases, you will have to apply for a school place through the local council website.
Applying in Devon: devon.cc/admissions
Applying in Plymouth: www.plymouth.gov.uk/schoolapplication
Applying in Torbay: devon.cc/schooladmissionstorbay
Let the school know that you are a service family. The school may be able to provide extra support for your child if needed.
SocialSupport
Band of Sisters
The Help for Heroes Band of Sisters network is open to loved ones, both male and female, who care for those who have suffered a life-changing injury or illness while in service.
Visit: devon.cc/h4hbandofsistersHMS Heroes
A national support group for the children of Service men and women and their relatives. As a network of after-school clubs, HMS Heroes brings together members of Service families aged between three and 18 years old from all over the country. Over 50 schools in Devon and Plymouth are part of HMS Heroes.
Visit: www.plymouthcurriculum.swgfl.org.uk/hmsheroesThe Warrior Program
The Warrior Programme runs residential programmes in the South West for veterans and adult family members.
Visit: www.warriorprogramme.org.ukMediation and counselling services
Adapting to civilian and family life after a period in the armed forces can be complicated. Many ex-forces families experience difficulties and there are services available which will understand the issues and offer support.
Mediation services in Devon: devon.cc/devonmediation
Directory of counselling services: devon.cc/counsellingdevon
Cruse
Following a bereavement Cruse can provide information and support to military families.
Phone: 0844 477 9400
Visit: www.cruse.org.ukThe Wave Project
Located in North Devon and across the UK, The Wave Project for young people (between 8 and 21 years old) provides support to overcome anxiety and improve emotional health. These are surf course that make people feel calmer and more motivated.
Visit: www.waveproject.co.ukAdventure breaksSocial
SSAFA
SSAFA provides a service to support service leavers and their families whenever, whoever and for however long they are required.
Visit: www.ssafa.org.ukLibraries
Local libraries have something for everyone, with books and information, music, films, and computers with access to the Internet.
Find a local library in Devon: devon.cc/devonlibraries
Find a local library in Plymouth: devon.cc/plymouthlibraries
Find a local library in Torbay: devon.cc/torbaylibraries
Places of worship
There are a variety of places of worship offering support and social activities.
Find a place of worship in Devon: devon.cc/placesofworshipindevon
Find a place of worship in Plymouth: devon.cc/placesofworshipplymouth
Find a place of worship in Torbay: devon.cc/placesofworshiptorbay
Fitness groups
There are gyms and fitness facilities across Devon providing a range of services to keep fit and socialise.
Find a fitness facility in Devon: devon.cc/fitnessdevon
Find a fitness facility visit: www.plymouth.co.uk/gyms
Find a fitness facility visit: devon.cc/fitnesstorbay
Crafts
Devon has plenty of classes and groups which provide creative and therapeutic arts and crafts sessions.
Visit: devon.cc/craftsAdventure breaks
Royal British Legion
The Royal British Legion offers free week-long adventure breaks to children of men and women who are currently serving, or have served in the Armed Forces.
Visit: devon.cc/blbreaksCalvert Trust
The Calvert Trust offers a fantastic weekend break which includes food, accommodation and adventurous activities for just £50 per person.
The offer is open to serving, reserve and veteran armed forces families with a disabled service person, partner or child in the family. The break is available to people of all abilities, including: physical or learning disabilities, ADHD, autism and challenging behaviour, visual or hearing impairment and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Visit: devon.cc/calverttrustexmoor