'ISOLATION' is the theme of this year's free annual event in which East Devon District Council calls together members of local voluntary organisations and community groups with the aim of “Working Together for the Future of East Devon”.

The conference is on Friday, October 10 and runs from 9.30am to 2.30pm at the council's Knowle HQ in Sidmouth.

Representatives of voluntary organisations, community groups and town and parish councils are welcome to come along. The gathering aims to bring local agencies together to improve communications between the voluntary and statutory sectors.

Supporting the conference theme of 'Isolation' there will be speakers on community transport, a free national helpline for older people, the isolation of young people, health and digital services. Delegates will also get a valuable chance to network with each other and make links with other East Devon groups.

Food banks

They are also invited to bring with them items of non-perishable food – for example packets of dried food or tinned goods, which will be collected by local food banks and later handed out to needy families in the area.

Invitations for this free event have already been sent to town and parish councils and community and voluntary groups that attended last year, but there are still places left. Places are limited to one per organisation / group and must be booked in advance.

Benefits

To find out more or book your place please e-mail jbuckley@eastdevon.gov.uk or phone (01395) 517569 with your name and contact details and the name of the organisation you are representing before September 26, 2014.

Councillor Jill Elson, EDDC Cabinet Member for Sustainable Homes and Communities, who is hosting the event, said: “I hope to see as many local community and voluntary groups as possible on 10 October.

"I believe the voluntary and community organisations provide vital benefits to our local communities – I am a volunteer myself and enjoy meeting others. We want to listen to you and exchange information on matters that will affect our local people”.