Category Archives: Health & Wellbeing

The Silverline Charity


The Silver Line Helpline for older people.

Dame Esther Rantzen described her feelings as a widow living alone for the first time at the age of 71. As a result Ellen wrote to her to describe her own feelings of loneliness.

“I can’t get out on my own due to health problems, so it can be as much as 3 days I go without talking to anyone… I dread the winter nights when everything seems to close in around me and I feel so isolated. I am an optimist by nature and sometimes I need that to get through another pointless day where I feel as if I am a waste of space.”

The reality is that older people should be valued as a tremendous asset to society. If, like Ellen, they become isolated and vulnerable, it is the nation’s responsibility to make older people feel valued, to include them, empower them, and connect them back to their communities. And that is what we hope The Silver Line Helpline will achieve.

Some vulnerable older people are so isolated they are extremely hard to reach. And there is a huge unmet demand for advice and friendship.

In the first year of operation, The Silver Line Helpline received 275,000 calls, 53% of callers saying they had literally no-one else to speak to.  We now receive almost 1500 calls every day from lonely and isolated older people.  Continue reading →

Bodmin Moor International Dark Sky Park


Our unique dark rural setting on the fringe of Bodmin Moor has an opportunity to make an historic mark, which will enhance our lifestyle, protect our community and last for generations to come.

Cornwall Council and Caradon Observatory have proposed a bid to have Bodmin Moor recognised as a Gold standard International Dark Sky Park, arguably comparable to World Heritage Site status. The Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Unit and the Campaign to Protect Rural England support the proposal and with public backing, the council will submit the decision this summer.

Edwina Hannaford, Cornwall Council’s portfolio holder for planning, said: “I’m thrilled with this initiative. It mixes the ageless fascination and romance of the stars with real science and learning, and it has tangible opportunities for tourism too.

“Recent observatory data shows that the quality of the night sky over Bodmin Moor is amongst the best in the world. Achieving recognition of this through an International Dark Sky Park designation would help protect the night sky from light pollution and bring other benefits, including providing a focus for awareness and learning about the stars and solar systems, a further draw for visitors to the area and a starrier sky for local residents.”

International Dark Sky Parks must be a protected landscape, and Bodmin Moor is already known as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Continue reading →

Tamar Valley Health – Patients Group


Are You a Patient or Carer of Callington / Gunnislake Health Centres?

doctorThe “PATIENTS GROUP” exists to improve your overall experience and get answers to your questions. The Group is recruiting new members to promote their ongoing work.

Can You Spare some time to help with publicity, distribute information, use your expertise to further this great cause. Or have you first hand knowledge of our Health System how it works and possible improvements.

This is a great opportunity. Please email tvhppg@outlook.com  or go to the Patients Group web page.