17 Sep What does Torbay Communities actually do?

What does Torbay Communities actually do? A question we are asked often, and a difficult one to answer briefly.

In the eleven years we have been operating in the Bay, projects have come and gone, but our principal direction remains the same, and that is to tackle loneliness and isolation in people of all ages.

But answering the what do you do question could take even the most talented in our team an age to answer because we are involved in so many things, some lead on, some we deliver and some we contribute to.

In the last couple of weeks, I have been called upon to answer the question at fundraisers organised to raise funds for Torbay Communities, and whilst the organisers knew enough to know they were organising funds for a worthwhile cause, they were struggling with the details.

As the Marketing and Communications Manager, you might imagine that I would be the one who finds it easiest to provide that detail and answer the question in a succinct, interesting, and informative way.

IF the Devil is in the detail, then it is the detail that I lack, and fair enough, we cannot be a jack of all trades,  and we rely on a wide range of skills, knowledge and expertise accumulated when you bring together a team of 50 people.

So here follows in just a few paragraphs a honed-down version of the work of Torbay Communities that, in theory at least, could be delivered in the time it takes to ride in a lift with someone you need to explain your organisation to – what the Americans call an elevator pitch:

“Torbay Communities is an umbrella organisation that works alongside dozens of other voluntary community and social enterprise organisations to provide support for thousands of mainly vulnerable and lonely people of all ages across the Bay.

“We have a team of Community Builders who work in every area of the Bay. They help people to live their best lives, often reintroducing them to their own communities and watching as they blossom, forging new friendships, rekindling hobbies and interests, and giving them the confidence to get out and about again.

“Then there is the Torbay Community Helpline, set up one week before COVID brought us our first lockdown. We provided a shopping and prescription collection service, facilitated telephone befrienders and recruited an army of volunteers to help their neighbours, including staffing and helping set up the vaccination centres. We have since expanded our services to include mental health, domestic abuse and sexual violence, homelessness, food support and poverty. We boast ‘One call, that’s all’, and we are busier than ever.

“We provide funding advice for other organisations, as well as being responsible for Imagine This, the Torbay Assembly, Local Motion, Active Lives, Home from Hospital, Torbay Together, the Torbay Timebank, Parkfield, refugees and asylum seekers, and the Torbay Community Champion Awards.

“We are everywhere, and despite what people think, we are not the Torbay Council, nor are we the NHS or any other statutory authority. We are Torbay Communities, and we need to raise funds to keep going!”

To any of my colleagues who feel that they are not given credit in the previous paragraphs, I apologise, and even as I publish it, I realise it will need modifying and rewriting very soon.

For instance, the precis makes no mention of our involvement in the Baton of Hope, where we have helped organise aspects of the event, which comes to the Bay on Tuesday, September 30^th. We have rallied the volunteers, helped raise some money and will be on hand on the day to do whatever needs doing*. We will also be at Torquay United’s home game on Saturday, collecting much-needed funds for the event.

New projects come and go as the need arises, and in this ever-changing world, the emphasis and the needs can change rapidly. Thankfully, we are still of a size that can change to meet those needs as and when the demand arises.

*Incidentally, if you have not yet booked your place at the finale event at the Riviera Centre, it promises to be a great night with Luke Friend, Hal Cruttenden and Ada Campe providing the entertainment. Just go to the Baton of Hope Torbay website.