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News & Features
The latest updates and insights from the Devon Mental Health Alliance
![Join our Samba Drum Group! A 6-week summer wellbeing group being held in Barnstaple](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61825de87f6bcb4c55b951ca/1719242412138-GPUPTW2BVL7F4FZJ4PKH/pexels-pixabay-158664.jpg)
Join our Samba Drum Group! A 6-week summer wellbeing group being held in Barnstaple
The aim of the group is creative expression to boost mental wellbeing and anyone in Devon aged 18 years or over is welcome to join.
![A big thank you to everyone who came along to our 4th Plymouth Mental Health Collective community event.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61825de87f6bcb4c55b951ca/1719242041998-BQV8LKAI9KOY7YHROLRD/20240508_115019.jpg)
A big thank you to everyone who came along to our 4th Plymouth Mental Health Collective community event.
We were joined by 3 brilliant guest speakers who gave updates, insights & offers from their respective services.
![Thanks to everyone who attended the 3rd Devon, Plymouth & Torbay VCSE Assembly Mental Health Hub meeting](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61825de87f6bcb4c55b951ca/1715251502198-UUG72DBNR485GMU1O5SE/vcse-hub-3-feature.png)
Thanks to everyone who attended the 3rd Devon, Plymouth & Torbay VCSE Assembly Mental Health Hub meeting
The event focused on research engagement and saw the launch of the VCSE Assembly’s Research Community of Practice.
![‘Creative Minds’ at Exeter Phoenix](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61825de87f6bcb4c55b951ca/1719238245094-FT3CGVFSYAMZ7878HSLX/Art%2Bexhibition%2B-%2BBloom%2Bfestival.jpg)
![Devon, Plymouth & Torbay VCSE Assembly Mental Health Hub — 3rd meeting announced](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61825de87f6bcb4c55b951ca/1684939808396-68DLMU9750YD1RI9LKFT/vcse-assembly-hub-meeting-1-feature.jpg)
Devon, Plymouth & Torbay VCSE Assembly Mental Health Hub — 3rd meeting announced
The Hub’s third meeting will focus on research engagement and act as the platform for the launch of the VCSE Assembly’s Research Community of Practice.
![Studio KIND. presents: Art and Mind — Get involved with our Barnstaple art exhibition this summer!](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61825de87f6bcb4c55b951ca/1709743278768-EP4SIB6BH6EWG7VHQMJK/art-and-mind-reveal-feature.png)
Studio KIND. presents: Art and Mind — Get involved with our Barnstaple art exhibition this summer!
We’re putting on an exhibition in the summer, and we want you to be a part of it!
![Thanks to everyone who came to the 3rd Plymouth Mental Health Collective community event](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61825de87f6bcb4c55b951ca/1709041224787-RRBTNO8YZBWQH80WJB72/pmhc-meeting-3-thumb.png)
Thanks to everyone who came to the 3rd Plymouth Mental Health Collective community event
The popular event featured speakers from Plymouth City Council, MoonDogz, and many more.
![Festival of Human Connection II — Check out photos and video from November’s event](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61825de87f6bcb4c55b951ca/1704717021419-P8ZFMWGBE1R7P4WM748P/1774554640-d7f337fbd6de85a59c9ce0579a996bd1237d9c476c7d6fd275ed4c30f969a0cf-d_640.jpeg)
Festival of Human Connection II — Check out photos and video from November’s event
The second Festival of Human Connection engaged more people from local mental health organisations with an opportunity to explore ideas and opportunities.
![Book your place at the Plymouth Mental Health Collective’s 3rd community event now](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61825de87f6bcb4c55b951ca/b6f503a0-a496-4cf9-aee0-cff4cdaede04/Jan+24+event+-+4.png)
Book your place at the Plymouth Mental Health Collective’s 3rd community event now
The first PMHC event of 2024 will feature three sessions, including a round-table open mic conversation for all attendees.
![Festival of Human Connection coming to Totnes for open-minded conversations](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61825de87f6bcb4c55b951ca/1674839477421-18F1A23NNUPDNP9OWUW9/festival-of-human-connection-header.jpg)
Festival of Human Connection coming to Totnes for open-minded conversations
The event aims to empower all sectors to work together as an ever-flowing and ever-evolving mental health community.
![Devon, Plymouth & Torbay VCSE Assembly Mental Health Hub — 2nd meeting announced](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61825de87f6bcb4c55b951ca/1684939808396-68DLMU9750YD1RI9LKFT/vcse-assembly-hub-meeting-1-feature.jpg)
Devon, Plymouth & Torbay VCSE Assembly Mental Health Hub — 2nd meeting announced
The Hub’s second meeting will be led by Young Devon and Parental Minds, and focus on young people’s mental wellbeing.
![Focus on co-production in service design: Involving people with lived experience](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61825de87f6bcb4c55b951ca/505c3da2-762f-43d6-918e-d780fb4d05fc/SW+event.jpg)
Focus on co-production in service design: Involving people with lived experience
We recently attended an NHS England South West event covering various aspects of co-production, involving people who have lived experience of mental health issues in the redesign of services.
![A successful first Devon, Plymouth & Torbay VCSE Assembly Mental Health Hub](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61825de87f6bcb4c55b951ca/1684939808396-68DLMU9750YD1RI9LKFT/vcse-assembly-hub-meeting-1-feature.jpg)
A successful first Devon, Plymouth & Torbay VCSE Assembly Mental Health Hub
Key themes included the importance of sustainable commissioning, the ability of the Voluntary and Community Sector to drive joined up working in partnership with funders, and challenges in data sharing.
![Joining the active mental health conversation in Okehampton](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61825de87f6bcb4c55b951ca/4b822c27-cfba-47a8-838b-bed730ab1871/okehampton-event.jpg)
Joining the active mental health conversation in Okehampton
There were plenty of topics to cover as we invited people from numerous organisations helping people with mental health needs to Okehampton.
![We’re working closely with social prescribers and wellbeing coaches across East & Mid Devon](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61825de87f6bcb4c55b951ca/1681378325228-YBBWR543WB85HL0UROTV/eccentre-event-feature.jpg)
We’re working closely with social prescribers and wellbeing coaches across East & Mid Devon
We recently met with mental health and wellbeing workers to discuss their own wellbeing and working more sustainably.
![Sign up for the first Devon, Plymouth & Torbay VCSE Assembly Mental Health Hub!](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61825de87f6bcb4c55b951ca/1680701796844-VRPBALQSY7Q4Z60V8KPT/vcse-assembly-hub-may-2023-feature.jpg)
Sign up for the first Devon, Plymouth & Torbay VCSE Assembly Mental Health Hub!
It’s free and open to attend the first meeting, in which we will review the Community Mental Health Framework implementation and impact
![Crediton’s turn to discuss local mental health service provision and how we can improve](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61825de87f6bcb4c55b951ca/1680532100588-MIJ3IRPFHPBRCSUZXRTZ/crediton-event-feature.jpg)
Crediton’s turn to discuss local mental health service provision and how we can improve
The most recent Creative Solutions event saw over 15 professionals from around Crediton discussing local mental health support.
![Open-minded conversations about mental health at the Festival of Human Connection](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61825de87f6bcb4c55b951ca/1680088427211-E7MDFLW63V7XLUXU9DRN/fohc-feature.jpg)
Open-minded conversations about mental health at the Festival of Human Connection
The event featured discussions on a range of topics related to mental health, attended by various parts of the sector.
![We’ve been discussing gaps in local mental health provision in Northern Devon](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61825de87f6bcb4c55b951ca/1677687133383-Z60PT2QVN38JYZCUPB8Q/north-devon-event-feature.jpg)
We’ve been discussing gaps in local mental health provision in Northern Devon
Our most recent Creative Solutions networking and engagement event, hosted in Barnstaple, sparked lots of creative discussions around local mental health services.
![Book your place at our Creative Solutions event in Crediton now!](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61825de87f6bcb4c55b951ca/26c054b0-6ae6-4d02-922b-a748964e94bf/moose-hall-blog-feature.jpg)
Book your place at our Creative Solutions event in Crediton now!
We’re bringing our networking and engagement session to the Moose Hall in Crediton on Thursday 26 March 2023.