Our Annual Report 2022-23 is now available digitally, ahead of Friday’s (1st December) Annual General Meeting
Once a year, we get to stand back and consider for a few moments the impact our work at Torbay Communities has on p
Sometimes, you don’t necessarily know what impact you have made on others, but this certainly was not the case with
The Torbay Assembly has been working hard behind the scenes for several years, after being set up as part of the Ag
Annual General Meeting 2022/23 Friday, December 1st 2023, 5-7pm Torquay Town Hall – The Assembly Hall, Castle Circu
The Imagine This Youth Council wanted to take a moment to update everyone on all the brilliant things that have bee
Hi, I am Helen; I’ve been the Community Builder in Brixham for 6 months now. I encourage people of all ages to get
Graham Stephenson (1939-2023) was an inspirational Community Champion. He cared for the Torwood Coastal Path in Tor
Thousands of people help make a difference to hundreds of organisations across the Bay, but they often work
Check-in here to sample a taster of community activities in the Ellacombe & Plainmoor area… On every 2nd Friday
As part of our work in the community, we sadly come across people who have become victims of loan sharks. There is
Young people across Torbay are getting a special mention as part of the national Youth Work Week celebration, from
“Wow! What amazing artwork…really brightens up the place!” Just one of the many wonderful comments of Mark BellR
When I first moved to Old Paignton – an area rich with history going back to Anglo-Saxon times and with many
Hello! This week I would like to highlight some opportunities available in Wellswood for people in Torbay who are s
A world-renowned urban street artist is looking for a blank canvas for his next work that will celebrate Paignton.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for all those people who responded to our urgent appeal for volunteers to get peopl
Sport is bringing people of all nations together in Torbay A friendly five-a-side competition featured a team of as
Get your pens, calendars and diaries to hand – lots on in the Willows this Autumn. With half term on the horizon, t
Blink and it is gone. It wasn’t a bad Summer, but already it is fading into memory as the nights draw in and the te
Gym buddies from across the Bay challenged their fitness levels to raise thousands of pounds for charity. Three tea
The BIG EXCHANGES have begun again after having some months off during the summer. Once again we had a second BIG E
We are always on the lookout for volunteers here at Torbay Communities and here we are again with an urgent ask. We
Cycle Torbay CIC has teamed up with The Crafty Fox Café N Hub in Foxhole, Paignton, to offer more opportunities for
MORE than ten weeks to go and already we are being bombarded with messages about Christmas. We are being urged to h
Well, what a summer we have had. Despite the rain, Community Builders have participated in many fantastic events ac
Welcome to the new normal. Winter has always meant flu jabs, particularly for older and vulnerable lung conditions,
Albert Einstein coined the phrase ‘Time flies when you’re having fun’ Well, I have been in post now for just over s
Hard to believe that Summer is drawing to a close already, and as the weather cools, the harsh reality of the vario
We’re using a great website called easyfundraising to help raise money for Torbay Communities. easyfundraisin
Walking through Scadson Woods recently I was struck by the sight of a seedling sprouting from the trunk of a Norway
Loneliness and isolation are problems that permeate all levels of our communities and, despite the dire effect on p
Throughout the summer, the Community Builders embarked on an exciting journey with the Chrysalis Bus, bringing crea
As a new member of the Torbay Communities team, I have been reflecting on the remarkable journey that began during
It has been an eventful summer for sure. Lots of great events and community spirit. I hope you all had a blast! I a
‘Come and be a Community Builder’, they said. ‘Go out into the community and make friends with people.’ Well, that
Tembani Court residents have been aided in their efforts to rejuvenate their communal gardens through Live Longer B
It is always great to hear about new initiatives and this week I have an exciting one to tell you about. Open Seas
IT is a busy old time of year for the whole team here at Torbay Communities (when isn’t it?). One of the joys of wo
Children and young people across Torbay have celebrated their achievements with awards as part of Children’s Week.
It’s Summer! Let’s Celebrate! Summer is here. The Circus and Fun Fairs are in town, and there are lots of activitie
The cost-of-living crisis continues to wreak havoc across nearly all sectors of our society, and thousands of peopl
Torbay Communities Flashmobbers were joyfully dancing in the rain, with Anne George, choreographer, dancer and magi
What’s been happening recently in the world of LocalMotion? Nationally, our funders are looking at what’s emerging
Some months ago, I came across a new initiative called “Give It A Go And Say Hallo” and since then have
Stuck for something to do this Summer? You shouldn’t be because there are opportunities galore in Torbay. Not surpr
Well, what can I say? It has been a whirlwind for the first three months in my new Torre and Upton Community Builde
Artificial intelligence is in the news constantly with varying views from the end of the world as we know it to the
Community bus services are under threat because of a shortage of volunteer drivers. Already OurBus services on the
Hello, I am Helen Ambler, the new Community Builder for Brixham. I am here to help encourage people of all ages to
Much of the work we do here at Torbay Communities takes place, as the name suggests in the heart of our Torbay comm
Exciting news for Ellacombe – the launch of a new inspirational project coordinated by the Ellacombe Community Part
We should never take for granted the strength of our communities in Torbay. We may have our problems, but we have p
Hello All, Some of you may know me as the part-time Community Builder for St Marychurch, Babbacombe & Maidencom
A lot of our work at Torbay Communities – Stronger together, focuses on people’s health and wellbeing and we have a
A leading Torbay charity has changed its name to better reflect the work it does. Torbay Community Development Trus
What is Timebanking? Timebanking is about allowing those who are already or would like to be, active in their neigh
LocalMotion will be running a Financial Wellbeing workshop on Thursday 20th July, 2-5pm at the Windmill Centre in T
“Hello, Torbay Community Helpline, how may I help you?” is a phrase we have used almost 80,000 times since the help
The sun is shining on the Willows, with lots for you to get involved with. As Community Builders we are here to con
The wheels on Ourbus go round and round…thanks to our fantastic volunteer drivers, but much like any fantastic thin
We have some good news for Torbay, after months of planning, two new groups are starting have started. Parkinson So
THINK of the COVID crisis, and it is difficult to conjure up anything positive, but there were some good changes in
Visit the Crafty Fox Cafe ‘n’ Hub in Foxhole any Friday morning and there waiting to serve you will be
By David Gledhill, Marketing & Communications Lead Volunteers’ Week is coming to an end, but volunteering
POTENTIALLY lonely and isolated people across the Bay look forward to an uplifting phone call from a volunteer befr
Student Ollie Brown has his sights set on the stage and is helping others achieve the same. The 19-year-old from Br
A community garden which became a refuge during COVID is flourishing as a peaceful haven for all. Volunteers Jemma
By Marina Zapata, Community Builder for Shiphay Hello, my name is Marina, and I was very fortunate to have been app
EVERYBODY is on first name terms on the bus dubbed the mobile community centre that is kept running by volunteer dr
Charities and voluntary organisations are challenging businesses across Torbay to get involved in recruiting, celeb
By David Gledhill, Marketing & Communications Lead Welcome to Volunteers’ Week, a celebration of all thin
By Joanna Reynolds, Community Builder for Paignton Town Centre & Clifton with Maidenway Tegen (dog) and I norma
By Jo Curtis, LocalMotion Torbay Systemic Change Partner LocalMotion works in six towns up and down the UK, includi
By Theo Tanser, Community Builder for Hele Watcombe & Barton, Coordinator for Torbay Timebank & Community B
By David Gledhill, Marketing & Communications Lead It can be a lonely old world – as we know so well at the Tor
By Joey Damiral, Community Builder for Chelston, Cockington & Livermead Well, it’s bank holidays g
By David Gledhill, Marketing & Communications Lead Lots to celebrate in the Bay this week after a weeken
By Christine Durrant, Community Builder for Preston The Coronation Bank Holiday is a reason for everyone to
By David Gledhill, Marketing & Communications Lead What a splendid start to the month of May – one Bank
By Ceri Silk, Community Builder for Torquay Town Centre As a Community Builder, I focus on what’s strong, wh
By David Gledhill, Marketing & Communications Lead All good things must end, or so the saying goes, but
Paignton volunteer Maggie Stapleton has been chosen as one of just 500 Coronation Champions in the country. The cha
By Marianne Parker, Community Builder for Wellswood In Wellswood, the excitement is building for the Coronat
By David Gledhill, Marketing & Communications Lead Just over two weeks to go to the King’s Coronation, a
By Gill Knight, Community Builder for Paignton South (Goodrington, Roselands, White Rock, Hookhills, Broadsands, Ga
By David Gledhill, Marketing & Communications Lead The Bay was busy last weekend as tourists returned in
Leah Whitcher, former Community Builder for Torre and Upton – now a Community Builder for Paignton Town Centr
By David Gledhill, Marketing & Communications Lead EVERY week hundreds if not thousands of people across
Indomitable volunteer and fundraiser Bob Ward braved wind and rain to pound the streets of Torbay at weekend walkin
By Joanna Reynolds, Community Builder for Paignton Town Centre & Clifton with Maidenway Hello! My name i
Indomitable volunteer and fundraiser Bob Ward will be out pounding the streets of Torbay again this weekend as he a
By Matt Saunders, Marketing & Communications Assistant We are officially in Spring – t’is the session for
By Usha Garrattley, Community Builder for Ellacombe & Plainmoor As I write, spring is on its way. Spring
By David Gledhill, Marketing & Communications Lead On the one hand, it feels like an eternity ago, but o
Robin Causley, Community Funding Advisor with Torbay Community Development Trust, is retiring after more than 30 ye
Volunteer shopper Peter Long makes sure his neighbour’s cupboards remain stocked and she always has food on the tab
A PIONEERING community Helpline which has helped 8,500 people in Torbay, is celebrating its third birthday. The Tor
A highlight of John Corchran’s week is his get-together with volunteer befriender Aileen Birch. It might only last
By Theo Tanser (Timebanking & Community Builders’ External Relations Coordinator, and Community Builder f
By David Gledhill, Marketing & Communications Lead The King’s Coronation might not appeal to you, but th
By Ruth Tshoukas, Timebank Broker for Paignton The Timebank has been running in Torbay now for a number of y
By David Gledhill, Marketing & Communications Lead VOLUNTEERS – the glue that holds so many charities an
Torbay MP Kevin Foster will be sleeping outdoors on Friday, so that others don’t have to. MP for Torbay Kevin
By Helen Kelly, Community Builder for The Willows Our local Community Partnership is pleased to extend an ex
By David Gledhill, Marketing & Communications Lead HARD to believe, but the Torbay Community Helpline ha
By Nina Cooper, Community Builder for Kings Ash & Collaton St. Mary I discovered a new community project
By David Gledhill, Marketing & Communications Lead HOMELESSNESS is something that the majority of us can
By Jennie Langridge, Community Builder for St. Marychurch, Babbacombe & Maidencombe Although the King’s
Charities and voluntary organisations fear they could go to the wall as costs spiral and grants and donations decli
By David Gledhill, Marketing & Communications Lead TORBAY is famous for many things its amazing topograp
By Andrew Wade, Community Builder Lead Coordinator So, I am just starting my second month as Community Build
By David Gledhill, Marketing & Communications Lead The Coronation of King Charles III later this year mi
Author David Gledhill Marketing and Communications Lead for Torbay Communities View all posts
By Kelly Givens, SENDIASS Torbay Lead We want children and young people with Special Educational Needs and D
By Matt Saunders, Marketing & Communications Assistant In a mission to create a connected Torbay, where
By Theo Tanser, Community Builder for Hele, Watcombe & Barton January brings the usual good intentions a
Author Christine Durrant Preston Community Builder for Torbay Communities View all posts
By Matt Saunders, Marketing & Communications Assistant Our third and final act of attempting to summaris
Author David Gledhill Marketing and Communications Lead for Torbay Communities View all posts
Devon Voluntary Action is thrilled to announce that, delivered in partnership with OneDevon and working with local
By Joey Damiral, Community Builder for Cockington, Chelston & Livermead 2023 is officially underway! We
By Matt Saunders, Marketing & Communications Assistant Continuing on from last week’s column, I am attem
By Ceri SIlk, Community Builder for Torquay Town Centre It is the season to be merry, let’s continue to shar
By Matt Saunders, Marketing & Communications Assistant Well, it’s 2023 now. The big question, as per usu
Dear Colleagues, We’re writing to you as one of the over 6,000 Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) or
By Tracey Cabache, Director of Torbay Community Development Trust As the year comes to a close it is a time
Author Marianne Parker Community Builders' Learning Coordinator, Creative and Wellswood Community Builder for Torba
By Matt Saunders, Marketing & Communications Assistant As the impact of the Cost-of-Living Crisis contin
By Matt Saunders, Marketing & Communications Assistant Figuring out what on Earth you want to do with yo
By Gill Knight, Community Builder for Paignton South – Goodrington, Roselands, White Rock, Hookhills, Broadsands, G
As the impact of the Cost-of-Living Crisis continues to hit society at all levels, a survey has been sent to all Vo
By Leah Whitcher, Community Builder for Torre “Kindness, kindness and more kindness.” – I
By Matt Saunders, Marketing & Communications Assistant Unfortunately, the next few weeks will be tough f
By Ash Rangasamy, Community Builder for Paignton Town Centre and Clifton With Maidenway It’s getting chilly,
“Warm Spaces are places across Torbay which are warm, welcoming, and safe. They are free to use, and visitors
By Matt Saunders, Marketing & Communications Assistant An inevitable topic to cover at this time of year
By Usha Garrattley, Community Builder for Ellacombe and Plainmoor Winter is on the way, and so are Warm Spac
By Helen Kelly, Community Builder for The Willows It is heartening to hear how we support each other; someth
If you represent a charity or voluntary group and have not received this survey via other sources, we would appreci
By Matt Saunders, Marketing & Communications Assistant Younglings from across Torbay (plus any family me
Author Matt Saunders Marketing and Communications Assistant for Torbay Communities View all posts
By Ruth Tshoukas, Timebank Broker for Paignton Torbay Timebank involves all sorts of different skills, from
By David Gledhill, Marketing & Communications Lead VOLUNTEERING, a subject close to the heart of chariti
Torquay’s Cricketfield Community Garden is harvesting trophies galore for the role it plays within the Hele and Bar
Author David Gledhill Marketing and Communications Lead for Torbay Communities View all posts
By Chris Durrant, Community Builder for Preston, Paignton The Preston community afternoon disco is back! Thi
By David Gledhill, Marketing & Communications Lead As winter looms, warm spaces are being set around the
By Jennie Langridge & Amanda Lynn, Community Builders for St. Marychurch, Babbacombe & Maidencombe A
By David Gledhill, Marketing & Communications Lead The weather has been challenging over the last few da
By Nina Cooper, Community Builder for Kings Ash & Collaton St. Mary The community in Foxhole, Paignton,
By David Gledhill, Marketing & Communications Lead NO matter how tough things get over the next few mont
By Matt Saunders, Marketing & Communications Assistant A word that’s been repeated ad nauseam over the l
By David Gledhill, Marketing & Communications Lead Will life ever return to those heady and now nostalgi
Author David Gledhill Marketing and Communications Lead for Torbay Communities View all posts
By David Gledhill, Marketing & Communications Lead Times are hard, and they are likely to get much harde
By David Gledhill, Marketing & Communications Lead Yet again, the phones have been ringing off the hook
By Usha Garrattley, Community Builder for Ellacombe & Plainmoor Septembers are for fresh starts! so I re
FUNDRAISER, Bruce Barker wanted to do a little bit more to make sure his local MacMillan Coffee Morning fundraiser
UPDATE: Due to unforeseen circumstances, this AGM has now been postponed, with a new date in early/mid-November to
By David Gledhill, Marketing & Communications Lead Some very familiar themes are re-emerging as summer g
By Ceri Silk, Community Builder for Torquay Town Centre I love being a community builder, supporting individuals to
Author David Gledhill Marketing and Communications Lead for Torbay Communities View all posts
By Christine Durrant, Community Builder for Preston The life of a community builder is never the same two da
By David Gledhill, Marketing & Communications Lead What a turbulent few years we have lived through. Lif
By Marianne Parker, Community Builder for Wellswood Our entire community building team will be at the Ageing
By David Gledhill, Marketing & Communications Lead It has started. The much-predicted meltdown among fam
By Gill Knight, Community Builder for Paignton South – Goodrington, Roselands, White Rock, Hookhils, Broadsan
By David Gledhill, Marketing & Communications Lead Good neighbours are a blessing, and they come into th
By Sandra Harper, who is leaving her role as Torquay Timebank Broker & Community Cafe Support, to become a Well
By David Gledhill, Marketing & Communications Lead You can’t beat a bit of sunshine and good weather to
By Leah Whitcher, Community Builder for Torre & Upton Hello again. We’ve been pretty spoiled for sunshine in To
By David Gledhill, Marketing & Communications Lead In just one month’s time, we will be throwing o
By Ash Rangasamy, Community Builder for Paignton Town Centre & Clifton with Maidenway If I told you to r
By David Gledhill, Marketing & Communications Lead Thank goodness for Summer and sunshine bringing a lit
Author David Gledhill Marketing and Communications Lead for Torbay Communities View all posts
By Joey Damiral, Community Builder for Chelston, Cockington & Livermead Torbay has experienced a thrill
By David Gledhill, Marketing & Communications Lead EVERY now and again someone will ask – ‘what do
By Helen Kelly, Community Builder for The Willows On The Willows, many of us are talking about the rising co
By David Gledhill, Marketing & Communications Lead COMMUNITIES are at their strongest when the people in
By Christine Durrant, Community Builder for Preston Last week, I noticed an article apologising for the fact
By David Gledhill, Marketing & Communications Lead PEOPLE volunteer for all sorts of reasons, and the be
By Ruth Tshoukas, Timebank Broker for Paignton The Timebank is all about supporting each other. People need
By David Gledhill, Marketing & Communications Lead IT has been a busy old week at the YMCA’s Nightstop p
By Nicola Shellard, Community Builder for Shiphay Well, the Sun had her hat on for our Jubilee cream tea in
NURSES from across the world who all trained at Torbay Hospital have made a donation to the Torbay Food Alliance. J
By David Gledhill, Marketing & Communications Lead We are getting very excited about the Ageing Well Fes
By Amanda Lynn & Jennie Langridge, Community Builders for St. Marychurch, Babbacombe & Maidencombe W
By David Gledhill, Marketing & Communications Lead THE Torbay Assembly is back and is once again holding
By Theo Tanser and Dan Best, Community Builders for Hele, Watcombe & Barton As community builders, we su
By Victoria Campbell, Community Builder for Brixham It’s the absolute best time of the year to be living in
By David Gledhill, Marketing & Communications Lead During the pandemic, volunteering came to the fore in
PLEAS for food and help with energy bills are rocketing as some families are forced to turn off power supplies to s
A charity in Torbay has been awarded £120,000 to provide mental health support to children and young people in our
By David Gledhill, Marketing & Communications Lead THERE are challenging times ahead for us all as we tr
A new service that works to keep young homeless people off the streets is marking its one-hundredth night with a de
By Joey Damiral, Community Builder for Chelston, Cockington and Livermead Torbay has experienced its fair sh
By David Gledhill, Marketing & Communications Lead WHAT a weekend that was, Platinum Jubilee celebration
THE Ageing Well Torbay Festival is back this year and the organisers are planning on it being bigger and better tha
More than 1,750 children and young people are expected at a two day festival near Brixham this weekend. The second
By Marianne Parker, Community Builder for Wellswood I have been watching seven Great Tit chicks hatch and gr
LONELINESS is causing mental health problems in Torbay to rocket as we come out of the COVID crisis. The Torbay Com