Violet Pathways and Your Village

18/10/2026

Regarding the temporary suspension of birthing services at North Devon District Hospital in Barnstaple, please note that there is no current re-opening date. There seems to be some misinformation circulating online regarding a re-opening date - the hospital have confirmed that whilst they are working on re-opening the unit as soon as it is safe to do so, there is no current date.

We know this is causing anxiety and are supporting impacted families and the hospital, it is really important to us that information is accurate and doesn’t cause more fear or anxiety.

We are still collecting feedback and experiences from anyone affected by the suspension, please complete our online form to help share your voice. This information gets shared anonymously with the trust and the ICB and helps to ensure that service user voice is represented 💜

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/5RLUx9aTzK

11/10/2026

09/10/2026

👶🏽Exciting news for expectant families! From today, birth partners can stay overnight on the John MacPherson ward.

This new initiative allows partners to be there in all bed spaces and side rooms, providing crucial support before and after birth. Speak to your midwife for more details and help us ensure a safe, comfortable environment for everyone involved. 💙

30/09/2026

Post-partum psychosis and perinatal mental health conditions require earlier intervention and universal screening to identify at-risk parents, according to mental health experts responding to recent tragic cases in Australia and the United States.

29/09/2026

Sometimes the people carrying the most are still the ones giving the most.

The lady who took the time and thought to make this beautiful mug and keyring for me is having a bloody horrendous time at the moment.

A little reminder that struggling and being strong, kind, thoughtful and generous can all exist at the same time.

People are never just the hardest thing they’re going through.

Thank you. I love them. 💜

24/09/2026

Fathers would be screened for perinatal distress alongside their partners under one proposal to be canvassed by a parliamentary inquiry.

18/09/2026

01/09/2026

Two of the largest meeting spaces at Torbay Health and Wellbeing Clinic have been transformed following the installation of acoustic sound-dampening panels, funded by Open Up , our official charity, and Mental Health Matters

The panels help reduce echo and background noise, while adding colour and character to the rooms. The result is a calmer, more welcoming environment for patients, visitors and staff.

Caitlin Foster, Team Manager for The Moorings, said: "We have found the installation of the sound-dampening very beneficial to reduce the echoing and residual noise, particularly when we have simultaneous calls or calls with walk-ins. It has allowed for the environment to be calmer, which is vital to the service."

People using the service have also noticed the difference, with one service user describing the changes as "amazing" and saying the calmer environment can only have a positive impact on wellbeing.

Projects like this show how small changes to our surroundings can make a real difference to people's experience of care.

Open Up helps fund projects that improve care environments, support recovery and create better experiences for people accessing mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services across Devon and beyond.

Find out more about the impact of Open Up: https://orlo.uk/7gkbh