26 Sep Support for all the community, throughout the seasons

Well, well – do we have a hint of summer at last, albeit rather late?  But how welcome the sun is when it appears.

As we head into autumn I’m reminded of how much I used to dread this time of year because it meant the onset of winter. But I have learned to love all four seasons and now embrace autumn in all its red, gold and amber glory.  I even enjoy the crisp, blue skies and sunny days of winter – and will enjoy them all the more knowing that I can spend them watching the sea hurling itself over the wall of the Boathouse in Preston whilst warming myself with a hot chocolate.

I know people who dread the onset of autumn as I used to and for the same reasons. What helped get me into autumn was pumpkins, because how can a pile of pumpkins in all their plumptious Beryl Cook glory, fail to cheer? I always associated them with All Hallows Eve and at that time nobody I knew ate them. (In fact, those round ones for carving don’t actually make the best soup.) It was seeing all the different colours, shapes and sizes and suddenly seeing recipes for them everywhere that made me start embracing the end of summer.

I know I’m very lucky. There are a lot of people very worried at the moment about how on earth they are going to get through this winter, particularly our older people, but please be assured that Torbay Communities is working hard behind the scenes, with other organisations, to ensure people will get the support they need.

Remember that we Community Builders can connect you to the Warm Spaces on offer over the winter, as well as lots of other lovely, friendly groups, so please don’t feel alone. You can contact us directly or reach us through the Helpline number.

The Helpline was originally set up in response to Covid and afterwards became the Torbay Community Helpline. It is run by both staff and volunteers who all work incredibly hard to help people who find themselves needing all kinds of help.

Community Helpline – Tel: 01803 446022