A group of Year 9 girls from Isca Academy have taken major steps towards shaping their futures this year through the Empowering Girls mentoring programme, working with inspirational female mentors from across the business and public sectors. The scheme pairs students with successful women from a range of industries, including the NHS, Met Office, and local enterprises, who volunteer their time to offer one-to-one guidance. Over a six-week period, mentors have helped students boost their confidence, explore career pathways, and build the skills needed to thrive in education and beyond. This term, students joined fellow mentees and mentors from across Exeter and Plymouth for a celebration event at Winslade Manor, where they were treated to a celebratory lunch, certificate presentations, and an inspiring keynote speech from international makeup artist Zakiyah Shani. Zakiyah spoke candidly about her nonlinear journey, encouraging the students to stay true to themselves as their paths evolve. She shared how tools like vision boarding and journaling helped her stay focused, and how she continues to work through self-doubt, even now in her successful career. The message landed powerfully with the students, who left the event feeling motivated and empowered. The Empowering Girls initiative is…

Family favourites, musicals and comedy shows among discounted line-up A ‘summer saver’ campaign has been launched by Princess Theatre owners ATG Entertainment with discounted tickets to over 100 shows, including several at the Torquay venue. The campaign was being launched on July 14 and will Exeter Today | News…

A healthier tomorrow doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built – quietly, courageously, and often in the face of discomfort. Whether you’re striving to heal from personal struggles, improve your mental or physical wellbeing, or break free from patterns that no longer serve you, the foundation for lasting change starts with one thing: a conscious decision to begin. It might not be loud or dramatic. In fact, it’s often a quiet moment of clarity that says, “I need to change”. From that point forward, it’s about taking small, consistent steps that honour your future self. The Decision to Begin Again For many, building a healthier life starts with a single decision: to stop running, numbing, or pretending. It takes bravery to look at your current reality and admit that it isn’t where you want to be. But there is power in that truth. That’s the moment you stop surviving and start living with intention. This might mean cutting out toxic habits, distancing yourself from draining environments, or seeking the kind of professional support that empowers real, sustainable change. In a rehab facility, for example, individuals are met with expert guidance and holistic care, helping them rediscover clarity,…

‘Thinking Drinkers’ Tom Sandham and Ben McFarland are visiting Exeter’s pubs on a gruelling 1,000-mile plus, two-week journey on a tandem bike to toast the great British pub and highlight the industry’s crisis.  The pair are cycling from Land’s End to John O’Groats and showcasing how wonderful and versatile pubs can be by ONLY eating, drinking, sleeping and stopping in British boozers, including Mill On The Exe and Thorveton Arms in Exeter. “If we don’t use pubs, we’ll lose them – so that’s what we’re doing, relying entirely on lovely ‘locals’ during our nationwide ride,” said Sandham. “No shops. No restaurants. No coffee chains or cafes. No petrol stations. Not even a Greggs.” McFarland added: “We’ve never ridden a tandem, it’s a frighteningly long way and rather than a gentle pootle around some pretty pubs, it’s going to be a brutal bike ride on behalf of the beleaguered British boozer – but it’s nothing compared to the daily struggles facing pubs up and down the country. “The costs for pubs to simply do business are far too high – no other business sector in the economy is taxed so heavily and unjustly and this has pushed…

A man from Exeter has been jailed for sexually abusing a girl aged under 13. Charles Kirkby, of Church Road in St Thomas, was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison at Exeter Crown Court on Friday 13 June. The 39-year-old had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault against a c Exeter Today | News…

A Memorial Service to celebrate the life and work of Eddie Farwell, Co-Founder and retiring CEO of Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW), will take place at Exeter Cathedral on Tuesday 17 June 2025.    Eddie died on 27 March following a diagnosis of Motor Neurone Disease and a private funeral was held shortly after his death. CHSW has organised a Memorial Service for Eddie, enabling the wider community to celebrate Eddie’s life, share their memories and find comfort together.    Phil Morris, incoming CEO at CHSW said: “It is fitting that during Children’s Hospice Week, we are bringing people together at Eddie’s memorial service, where we will reflect on, and celebrate, all he achieved.”   CHSW invites anyone wishing to attend Eddie Farwell’s Memorial Service to book in advance at www.chsw.org.uk/eddiememorial as seats will be limited. The service will be held at Exeter Cathedral on Tuesday 17 June 2025 from 12.30pm-1.30pm (arrival from 12.00pm) and will also be live streamed with a link available on the day for those who are unable to attend in person.    Lizzy Farwell, Eddie’s daughter, said: “I have been overwhelmed by the acknowledgements which have poured in, the incredible generosity and kindness shown, each…

Fasten your seatbelts for a thrilling 2025 as former Haas F1 team principal and Netflix Drive to Survive star Guenther Steiner embarks on a brand-new tour, which includes a date…

Businesses face increasing challenges in building a strong online presence while keeping pace with rapidly evolving digital trends. Content creation, social media management, SEO optimization, and data analytics require consistent attention and expertise. These demands can strain internal teams and budgets for many organizations, especially small and medium-sized enterprises. One of the most effective solutions is leveraging business process outsourcing services through virtual assistants (VAs). These remote professionals help marketing departments execute high-impact strategies without the expense of hiring full-time staff. With their adaptability and specialized skills, virtual assistants are proving to be game-changers in digital marketing. The Power of Business Process Outsourcing in Marketing Business process outsourcing (BPO) involves contracting specific tasks or services to external professionals or agencies. When applied to digital marketing, outsourcing offers a streamlined way to access specialized knowledge and consistent execution, without the overhead costs associated with maintaining a whole in-house team. Virtual assistants form a critical part of this strategy. They can manage a wide variety of digital marketing functions, such as content scheduling, basic graphic design, email marketing, SEO support, and analytics reporting. Though essential, these roles are often time-consuming and repetitive, making them perfect for delegation. …