One Eastern Devon
One Eastern Devon is a collaborative partnership of organisations committed to addressing the unfair and preventable inequalities that impact people’s ability to live healthy, fulfilling lives.
By tackling issues such as inadequate housing, limited job opportunities, and social isolation, we aim to prevent the negative health outcomes that often arise from these social, economic, and environmental challenges.
Our joint efforts focus on maximising impact and minimising waste to effectively reduce inequalities and enhance the health and wellbeing of the communities in Eastern Devon. This covers a large area from Axminister to Okehampton and include Exeter, with a total population of around 400,000 people.
What we strive to accomplish
We will work collaboratively to improve health and wellbeing and tackle inequalities to enhance the quality of life for the people of Eastern Devon. This approach involves connecting with communities, actively listening to their needs, and taking meaningful action based on our insights. As a result, we aspire to build a solid foundation of strong relationships, empower individuals, foster resilient communities, and create lasting positive change.
Our objectives include:
- Breaking the cycle of deprivation by addressing root causes, enabling us to prevent poor health, promote wellbeing, and enhance the quality of life for all.
- Reducing harm and inequity within our communities.
- Minimising duplication of efforts and maximising the collective resources at our disposal.
Why this matters
- For individuals: Empowering them to reach their full potential and providing opportunities for a better quality of life from the outset.
- For organizations: Achieving improved outcomes and optimising resource utilisation, ensuring that services are delivered in a timely and effective manner.
- For us: Serving as a platform for collaboration that fosters shared goals and collective impact.
Our Principles
Collaborative mindset
Collaborative mindset
Collaborative behaviours
Shared vision & purpose
Shared learning
Healthy & trusting relationships
Our Prevention Priorities
Children, young people and families’ mental health
- Eastern Devon experiences significantly higher rates of self-harm and alcohol-related admissions.
- Key risk factors include age, gender, and poverty, with young females in deprived areas being particularly vulnerable.
- The situation reveals a complex landscape of needs and service usage, characterised by repeat admissions and transitions between services. It’s important to note that admissions represent only the tip of the iceberg.
Social health (loneliness and isolation)
- In Eastern Devon, over 100,000 individuals report feeling lonely sometimes, and more than 32,000 often experience loneliness. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this issue.
- Loneliness affects all age groups, with certain risk factors identified, including being female, single or widowed, in poor health, residing in a deprived area, or having a low sense of belonging within the community.
Identification and the health and wellbeing of unpaid/informal carers
- There are more than 40,000 unpaid carers in Eastern Devon, with over 8,000 dedicating over 50 hours per week to their caring responsibilities.
- The physical and mental health of these carers tends to be poorer and declines more rapidly, especially among the working-age population.
- A greater burden of unpaid care is observed in more deprived areas, highlighting the need for targeted support.