Voluntary organisations and community groups, as well as town and parish councils from across East Devon are being invited to book their places on East Devon District Council's free annual Working Together for the Future of East Devon 2019 event, which is taking place on Thursday 24 October from 9.30am to 2.45pm at West Hill Village Hall near Ottery St Mary.

There will be knowledgeable speakers on a variety of useful topics, including:

How to successfully fundraise and apply for grants - Devon Communities Together.

Climate change, what the council is doing about it and what you as a group can do – East Devon District Council and Exmouth Wildlife Group.

Funding available from East Devon District Council and Devon County Council.

Public Health Devon update around health and wellbeing activity in East Devon and Making Every Contact Count.

How an East Devon Project got funded – Beer Men's Shed.

How to recruit and keep volunteers – Action East Devon.

An update on how Action East Devon has recently changed.

The event aims to bring local agencies together to improve communications between the voluntary and statutory sectors.

Voluntary organisations are vital for the district's residents and the quality of life in East Devon.

Places are limited to one per organisation/group and must be booked in advance.

To find out more or to book your place please e-mail [email protected] or phone 01395 517569 with your name and contact details and the name of the organisation you are representing before 5pm on 17 October 2019.

The conference is free, but those attending are asked to bring with them items of non-perishable food, such as packets of dried food or tinned goods, which will be collected by a local foodbank and subsequently handed out to families in the area.

Cllr Megan Armstrong, Portfolio holder for Sustainable Homes and Communities at East Devon District Council who is hosting the event said: "I've worked with a lot of voluntary and community groups over the years, so I know how vital they are for local people.

"I would urge anyone who would find this event useful to book a place and come along.

"There will also be an opportunity for everyone to talk to and make links with other East Devon organisations, which in the past has often led to some exciting joint projects."