We run and host events and groups
Events and activities
We run hundreds of events and activities every year, providing spaces for people to connect and feel a part of their community – from knit and natter, to walking groups.
Creative Communities, formerly known as Evolve, is an imaginative programme of events and artworks within Devon and Torbay libraries, delivered by Libraries Unlimited, in partnership with artists and communities and funded by Arts Council England and Exeter City Council.
Our programmes encourage residents and visitors to come together and share in creative activities, discover new talents and enjoy theatre, talks, musical performances and more within their local library.
Support groups
We run a number of support groups throughout Devon and Torbay, ranging from dementia awareness cafés to vision impairment support groups and death cafes.
All our groups are informal, friendly sessions, providing the opportunity to ask questions, access support as well as having a chat with peers.
Many of our groups are delivered in partnership with other voluntary groups
Friends groups and volunteering opportunities
Friends Groups work closely with Library Supervisors and Libraries Unlimited to ensure communities benefit from library services that cater to their needs.
Anyone that is a member of Libraries Unlimited can sign up to a local Friends Group and take part in activities to promote their local library, fundraise, hold events and activities and represent the views of its members.
Impact story
South Molton Library has supported Ruth in myriad ways since she moved to the town. With the help of staff, groups and resources available through the library, she’s discovered her volunteering skills, made friends in the community, found a job and helped herself through mental health challenges.
Ruth moved back to South Molton in 2019 after six years living away, and a gruelling period of treatment for cancer. While she was waiting to have broadband connected in her new home, she came to the library to use the internet.
‘I returned to South Molton following a year’s worth of cancer treatment for an aggressive form of breast cancer. As I had no employment to return to, I thought downsizing my property and moving back to an area I knew would be a good idea as I had no network of support in Tiverton.’
Living alone, Ruth was also pleased to find a warm, welcoming place that was a hub for many activities and events in the town. This included the Better Together programme which runs once a week and brings people together in a relaxed group to enjoy free refreshments, make new friends, share experiences and discuss wellbeing.
Ruth signed up and was soon enjoying attending regular sessions. ‘I joined the Better Together group to help me find a network of support and get to know local people and activities available to those like me with disabilities and health conditions as I was feeling isolated. The local Social Prescriber, who ran the group, suggested some volunteering opportunities in the library including the Census role – helping people who came in to fill out their Census forms online.’