Ageing Well Torbay ultimately is a test and learn project – trying out methods and means of reducing loneliness and social isolation, and sharing the learning gathered.
Below are a series of reports and videos, reflecting on what has been learned, marking what worked well, where there was room for improvement, and what we may advise others to do if considering similar work.
Reports
Click on any of the reports to open as a PDF:
Short films and videos
We’ve had many stories shared with us over the years, and a few we’ve had the privilege to make into short films and videos, interviewing just some of Torbay’s residents whose past has led to such an influence on our programme.
About us
Ageing Well in Torbay
Connecting People
Torbay Community Helpline
Extension of Torbay Community Helpline
Torbay Community Helpline - A lifeline for Torbay
Befriending with Torbay Community Helpline
Shielding support with Torbay Community Helpline
Robbie's story
Barrie's story
Ann's story
Eric's story
Charlie's story
Ann's story
Shirley's story
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About us
In this film, we hear about the impact the Ageing Well Torbay programme has made on the lives of Barrie and Robbie, building connections between people out in the community. -
Ageing Well in Torbay
In this short film, we interviewed some of our friends from around Torbay about their experiences of Ageing Well in Torbay. -
Connecting People
Community Builder Nina Cooper tells us about Crafty Cuppa, held at Great Parks Community Centre, Paignton. -
Torbay Community Helpline
Torbay Community Helpline opened its lines to the public on March 16th 2020, shortly before the Covid-19 lockdown began in the UK. Initially named the Torbay Community Coronavirus Helpline, staff from VCSE and statutory organisations around the 'bay helped take hundreds of calls from the public, who were in desperate need of help due to being vulnerable or shielding, and/or were volunteering their services to help out. Thousands of calls and several months later, the helpline is still going strong, now aiming to continue on as a one-stop call for help from all of Torbay's community services. You can call the helpline on 01803 446022, 10am-6pm on weekdays, or 9:30am-12:30pm on Saturdays. An online form is also available at bit.ly/torbayhelpline -
Extension of Torbay Community Helpline
In this video, Tracey Cabache briefly explains the work that has gone into running the Torbay Community Helpline, and why this vital service will continue running for a longer period of time. -
Torbay Community Helpline - A lifeline for Torbay
Now having passed its one year anniversary, Torbay Community Helpline continues to strive to aid people around Torbay. Having initially started in response to the Coronavirus Pandemic, the helpline has constantly evolved to support the needs of local residents. The helpline will endeavour to continue on for as long as necessary. One call, that's all. Call 01803 446022 or go to bit.ly/torbayhelpline -
Befriending with Torbay Community Helpline
As part of the Torbay Community Helpline, we set up a telephone befriending service for those who were lonely or suffering with mental health issues. In this video, you'll hear from Jackie Coad, who was befriended by Teresa Cartwright. You'll also hear from Helen Harman, Chief Officer of Age UK Torbay, one of the organisations who helped us set up the Torbay Community Helpline in March 2020. Footage courtesy of BBC Spotlight, originally broadcast/recorded 2nd February 2021. If you require help or would like to volunteer with Torbay Community Helpline, phone 01803 446022 or use the online form: bit.ly/torbayhelpline -
Shielding support with Torbay Community Helpline
As part of the Torbay Community Helpline, our team of rapid responder volunteers deliver shopping, prescription medication, and other urgent supplies to vulnerable people who are shielding, and therefore unable to leave their homes. In this video, you'll hear from Dennis & Sylvia Carnaby, a shielding couple who have received help from volunteers such as James Arthur. Footage courtesy of BBC Spotlight, originally broadcast/recorded 24th March 2021. If you require help or would like to volunteer with Torbay Community Helpline, phone 01803 446022 or use the online form: bit.ly/torbayhelpline -
Robbie's story
This is Robbie's story - from first contact with the Ageing Well Torbay programme, to how far she's come today. -
Barrie's story
n this short film, we hear Barrie's story of meeting new people and making new friends after the loss of his wife. Barry, like many others in Torbay, has been put in contact with new friends through the Ageing Well Torbay programme. -
Ann's story
Part of a series of films directed by Nick Fogg for the 2015 Ageing Well Festival Torbay. Watch as Charlie, Ann, Shirley, Ann and Eric talk about their personal experiences of ageing in Torbay. -
Eric's story
Part of a series of films directed by Nick Fogg for the 2015 Ageing Well Festival Torbay. Watch as Charlie, Ann, Shirley, Ann and Eric talk about their personal experiences of ageing in Torbay. -
Charlie's story
Part of a series of films directed by Nick Fogg for the 2015 Ageing Well Festival Torbay. Watch as Charlie, Ann, Shirley, Ann and Eric talk about their personal experiences of ageing in Torbay. -
Ann's story
Part of a series of films directed by Nick Fogg for the 2015 Ageing Well Festival Torbay. Watch as Charlie, Ann, Shirley, Ann and Eric talk about their personal experiences of ageing in Torbay. -
Shirley's story
Part of a series of films directed by Nick Fogg for the 2015 Ageing Well Festival Torbay. Watch as Charlie, Ann, Shirley, Ann and Eric talk about their personal experiences of ageing in Torbay.
Next Steps
Through 2018 and 2019, we asked residents over 50 in Torbay “What do you wish you’d known before you retired?” and this is how a number of them responded, reflecting on challenges they’d faced, as well as the skills and knowledge they view as essential to ageing well.
Stronger Together – Festival of Learning 2021
In May 2021, Ageing Better programmes from around the UK were invited to share their learning at the Stronger Together – Festival of Learning, a three week long virtual series of webinars and workshops on Zoom, open for all who were interested in learning about working with the community.
Ageing Well Torbay hosted five sessions on the week commencing 10th May 2021, the recordings of which are available to watch below:
Ice Creams & Seagulls: A Virtual Co-Production board game
An Introduction to Asset Based Community Development with Martin Simon
Harnessing Community Strengths: An ABCD approach to Co-Production
Co-production in a Crisis: Learning to Dance on a Shifting Carpet
Co-production in a Crisis: Creating a Lasting Legacy
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Ice Creams & Seagulls: A Virtual Co-Production board game
A fun & innovative Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) Board Game, with Ageing Well Torbay's Game Show Host, followed by discussion groups led by Torbay’s Community Builders and Grassroots Activity Groups. Attendees learnt about how to make ABCD work, with Torbay's Community Builders and the people in their neighbourhoods, followed by Q & As with Torbay's activity group leaders, covering everything you've always wanted to know about setting up groups and activities in your community. -
An Introduction to Asset Based Community Development with Martin Simon
Tracey Cabache, Operations Director for Torbay Community Development Trust and Martin Simon, leading expert on Asset Based Community Development introduce ABCD as an approach, explaining what it is, and why it became an intrinstic part of the community development approach adopted by Ageing Well Torbay. -
Harnessing Community Strengths: An ABCD approach to Co-Production
Hosted by Simon Sherbesky, Strategic Director of Torbay Community Development Trust and Ageing Well Torbay, this workshop showcased the Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) approach, that has allowed the team in Torbay to successfully work with the communities around them for the past seven years. -
Co-production in a Crisis: Learning to Dance on a Shifting Carpet
A workshop in which Ageing Well Torbay provide interactive examples of complex calls taken on their Community Helpline and how co-production informed the response. -
Co-production in a Crisis: Creating a Lasting Legacy
Simon Sherbersky, Strategic Director for Torbay Community Development Trust, and Joanna Williams, Director of Adult Social Care for Torbay Council, discuss how Torbay is building on the Ageing Well Torbay Community Helpline response to Covid-19 to create a new front door for people in need across Torbay.