A relaxed lantern-making session for people with special needs is being held at St Mary’s Church in Totnes, giving participants the chance to take part in a community activity away from the pressures of everyday life.

It will be a calm, small-group lantern making session designed with neurodivergent and disabled people in mind.

The session will be free with all materials provided.

This is a smaller, more relaxed session than usual created for neurodivergent and disabled people who would enjoy a quieter, calmer space.

The organisers have kept numbers low so everyone can take their time and create their lanterns at their own pace.

There are other lantern making sessions which have space for larger groups.

The calm session will be held on Sunday, November 15, between 2pm and 5pm

at St Mary’s Church Donations are warmly welcomed.

Children must be accompanied by an adult or carer and they’re looking for some volunteers for the session.

The event is being supported by Totnes Town Council and St Mary’s Church.

It is designed to prepare for the town’s annual Lantern Parade, which will take place at the first Christmas market of the year on Tuesday, December 8, setting off from the Seven Stars at 4.30pm.

At the Lantern Parade itself community members carry handmade lanterns through the town centre.

This is followed by school and choir carols at St Mary's Church and festivities at the Elizabethan Museum on the High Street.

There are over 70 artisan stalls, local street food courts (at the Civic Hall car park and The Mansion), and 125 independent shops that stay open late until 9pm.

There is a free Park and Ride service to and from Follaton House and a free station shuttle which runs from 5pm to 10pm.