10 Jul Staying connected, engaged and active in Preston, Paignton

I’m enjoying working with the Preston Community, spending time by the beach in the summer is a treat, and it’s truly beautiful.

The Preston Weekly walk is growing, and friendships have blossomed.  It’s on every Tuesday at 12 noon.  We meet at the cliff end of Preston Sands (opposite end to the Boat House).   It is a gentle walk on the flat, we walk to the cinema area and find somewhere to settle for tea/coffee and a chat.  Everyone is welcome, it’s a great way to build up your confidence and get walking again.

The Paignton Memory Café has now moved to The Esplanade Hotel, Esplanade Rd, Paignton TQ4 6EG in the Function Room from 2 – 4pm.  This is a very welcoming, friendly group, expect music, arts, crafts, tea, cake and exercise!

There is some evidence that exercise improves cognitive function, particularly in older people, by increasing blood flow to the brain. This can have a positive effect on memory, concentration and problem-solving skills.

In addition, exercise helps boost self-esteem by giving people a sense of accomplishment and can be a vital source of social contact for people with dementia and their carers.

The Bereavement Group has moved too; it is now in the Events Room at the Boathouse, Marine Drive, Paignton, TQ3 2NJ.  The group is friendly, kind and welcoming.  Many who attend have expressed how comforting and beneficial it has been for them.  They also meet for lunch halfway through the month at a chosen restaurant locally.  This is a peer support group; they meet on the 3^rd Friday of the month from 1 – 3pm.  Upcoming dates are 18^th July, 15^th August, 19^th September, 17^th October, 21^st November and 19^th December.  If you or anyone you know is seeking bereavement support, please call me on the number below.

I spoke to Allen Johnson, who is the chair of the Preston Community Partnership. Do you know what a Community Partnership is or does?

Allen explained in his own words:

“Preston Community Partnership is a group of volunteers who reside, work or volunteer within Preston.

“We are fortunate to have residents, our community builder, local businesspeople, the Ward Councillors and a member of the Devon and Cornwall Police on our steering group.

“The steering group meets every month, and we try to raise issues to the relevant local agencies in the hope that they can provide some positive outcomes.

“We also try to fund small local projects using money from kind donations.

“The sort of small projects that we have been able to carry out to date are the renovation of the Preston Seafront Shelter (I hear you say, ‘Why has only one been done?’ The reason being is that the other will be done after the completion of the Preston Sea Defence), added the swing to the Preston Green play area, cleaned up under the railway bridges in Seaway Road and Manor Road, and worked with the Preston Baptist Church last Christmas to provide the lights for their tree.

“I hear you say ‘What can I do to help?’, We would like to hear from any residents or businesses who have a similar passion to make Preston a better place.

“They can do this by joining our group, attending our public meetings, making a small donation, advertising our work or forwarding to us information they receive from local people concerning local issues.

“So many times, we hear from frustrated locals that they do not know who to contact or they have difficulty making contact.

“In the first instance, please contact us and we will work with you to make a better Preston. You can contact Allen by email – [email protected]”

Thank you for reading, do join me for a summer walk on a Tuesday this summer from 12 noon. (details as above).

Call me on 07929 335915 or email [email protected]