By Nina Cooper, Community Builder for Kings Ash and Collaton St. Mary

The Crafty Fox Celebrated its fifth birthday this month.

The hub started out when the community expressed the need for a safe space to meet up for a coffee and the project evolved very quickly and adjusted to the needs of locals.

Funding was obtained to include services, Citizens Advice, a counsellor and a coordinator.

Locals were encouraged to run groups and activities, and it became Devon’s first “Place of Welcome”.

The volunteers have now helped and supported hundreds over the last few years.

During lockdown, the Community Hub evolved again and became a food bank and worked in partnership with the Torbay Community Helpline, delivering food and prescriptions.

I’m still working closely with the wonderful local volunteers, who in turn work with many other groups and organisations and GP surgeries.

Today, I am delighted to say that the café is thriving and is gradually getting back to where they were before the pandemic.

All at the hub would like to thank Sanctuary Housing for gifting the building and all their support to help keep this project going.

Also, thanks to many other funders who have helped to support the project, from the Peoples Health Trust, Torbay Community Development Trust to the local Rotary Club, and many more!

WEEKLY ACTIVITIES

Every day – FAIR support and advice: some of the volunteers have been trained by Citizens Advice and are available to help you.

Pop in and make an appointment or call 01803 669005 between the hours of 10am and 3pm.

Monday morning – mosaics, the group is creating an autumn scene, they have already completed spring and summer. Everyone welcome.

Tuesday morning – a general craft group. They are currently creating many designs using pyrography (wood burning). They are a friendly bunch and always willing to help.

Tuesday evenings 7pm to 8pm – the Men’s Depression/Anxiety and Self Harm (DASH) group with friendly facilitators.

Wednesday morning – you are welcome to come along and learn to make knitted/crocheted Christmas decorations or if you prefer to learn a new skill, there are lovely people who will gladly help you.

Thursday morning – the men’s group, giving men the opportunity to pop in and have a good chat with just men.

Friday – the Sunflower Club… the ladies who run the club are there to support or just a chat, especially with the pandemic and lockdown, and the problems it has created for people.

Saturday – an open café, with the chance to book to see the counsellor for those that require one to one support.

All the groups are very popular; they maintain good airflow and have procedures in place, as per Covid advice.