Voluntary organisations and community groups, as well as town and parish councils from across the district are being invited to book their places on the annual 'Working Together for the Future of East Devon' event.

This year the free conference will take place virtually using Zoom on Tuesday, November 16 from 9.30am to 1.30pm.

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

Through the coronavirus pandemic, East Devon's voluntary and community groups have proved themselves to be vital to local communities.

The council understands from its work with these groups the challenges they face on how to keep going at such a challenging time.

As a thank you to the voluntary sector, this conference will highlight some of the different way to address these issues.

There will be knowledgeable speakers on a variety of useful topics which will include:

- The goal of the new East Devon Community Network Coordinator post

- How East Devon's Citizen's Advice can support the people you are helping and what its future might be

- What East Devon District Council are hoping to do to help you all, and an introduction to the Poverty Strategy

- Emerging partnerships for collaborative working: the Local Care Partnership and the Community Mental Health Framework

There will also be opportunities for attendees to split into virtual groups for discussions and networking with each other.

Councillor Megan Armstrong, portfolio holder for Sustainable Homes and Communities at East Devon District Council, who is hosting the event, said: "I would encourage people to book their places and come along. It will be a really useful and enjoyable event with some interesting speakers and the opportunity to see others from the voluntary sector remotely.

"It would have been good if we could have met face to face, but we're still in this unusual situation and want to keep people as safe as we can. Hopefully we'll be able to meet in person next year.

"We look forward to seeing you on November 16!"

The conference is free to attend but places must be booked in advance.

To find out more or to book your place, email [email protected] or phone 01395 517569 with your name and contact details and the name of the organisation you are representing before 5pm on Wednesday, November 10.