HAIRE is about identifying the needs of older people and discovering innovative ways of meeting those needs.

Keith Hambly-Staite, Council Lead on HAIRE, said “HAIRE is about identifying the needs of older people and with partners discovering innovative ways of helping to meet those needs. The Music Night concert in St Feock Church was part of that process of discovery. It was therefore particularly pleasing to have worked with Rev’d Karen and Martin Davey on this community event, which brought people together for an evening of music and poetry.”

Exploring other ways of helping people, the HAIRE Project is very close to opening a Repair Café, as suggested by several residents when we engaged in the Guided conversation surveys at the start of the project. Working with Cornwall Council’s Peter Blenard, Waste & Environmental Contact Officer, Jake Backus from Hidden Help, and Ann Picken from Truro Repair Café and some enthusiastic volunteers to join the Repair Café Network. We are very keen to make a success of this endeavour as a fitting tribute in memory of Councillor Kate Gason, who sadly passed away in October and was an integral member of the working group at our inaugural meeting in September. If you have a specialist hobby or skill that you are willing to share with us we are very happy to welcome new ‘Repairers’ to our team. We will run a ‘Café’ where carry-in items requiring some TLC can be given a ‘triage’ before passing on the appropriate Repairer. Cost of parts is the responsibility of the owner and should accompany the item to the café.

HAIRE has given us time to look more closely at issues affecting our residents. From time-to-time practical support is readily possible as many organisations are setting up warm spaces and hubs. We have revamped our own little Cosy Hub in the Parish Office Micro Library in Devoran. It is open during office hours 9:30am – 12:00 noon Monday to Friday to meet, heat and enjoy a cuppa, read a book, borrow board games, and add a piece to the ongoing jigsaw: fittingly, a colourful drawing of Mermaid Street, Rye, our HAIRE sister site in East Sussex. We have restored the online library book ordering service too, and have lots of useful information and signposting literature, and battery and tablet blister pack recycling points. We hope that this improved facility will help people as winter comes and energy costs rise. The HAIRE Team at the Parish Office are always available to help.