By Nicola Shellard, Community Builder for Shiphay Hello, I am the new Community Builder for Shiphay. Thank you for the warm welcome I have had from those of you I have met in and around Shiphay. We have lots to look forward to in the coming New Year! We will be getting our wonderful new “friendship benches” for Kitson and Shiphay Parks. There will be … Continue reading A warm welcome from Shiphay – Community Matters

By Leah Whitcher, Community Builder for Torre & Upton At the start of 2020, a handful of Community Builders travelled to Camden in London to see how they engaged older people with their communities. We took away lots of great ideas and then Covid hit. Well, a couple of weeks ago I attended an online workshop hosted by the same Ageing Better project in Camden. … Continue reading The Wise Men of Torbay – Community Matters

By Christine Durrant, Community Builder for Preston Are you dreading Christmas? We are entering the time of year when shops, television and billboards all proclaim that this is a time to celebrate with family and friends and for many people it is just that.  However, for others it is just the opposite.  The tinsel and endless Christmas songs just fill them with the horror of … Continue reading Not feeling 100% festive? – Community Matters

By Helen Kelly, Community Builder for The Willows Hello, I’m Helen, your new Community Builder at Torbay Community Development Trust for The Willows neighbourhood. Thank you for the warm welcome – I am looking to forward to meeting more of you in the new year. I’ve been especially struck by the enthusiasm of people wanting to make the Willows a community for conversations, friendships and … Continue reading Hello to The Willows Community – Community Matters

By Ruth Tshoukas, Timebank Broker for Paignton As the Timebank broker for the Paignton area, I have become more and more aware of the amazing changes that social interaction can have on our wellbeing. Having a plan, something happening in your day, a walk with a friend, a coffee morning or a telephone call to look forward to makes such a difference to our day. … Continue reading We have what we need, when we share what we have – Community Matters

By Sandra Harper, Torquay Timebank Broker & Community Cafe Coordinator I love Christmas time, and the wonderful atmosphere around our towns and cities, the smell of mulled wine and bratwurst at the Christmas markets, the twinkling lights strung high across the roads and the wonderful array of food and drink that only pops up at Christmas. But I am lucky, I have a job, I … Continue reading Don’t be lonely this Christmas, come and join us! – Community Matters

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 … Continue reading Happy Birthday to the Crafty Fox – Community Matters

By Victoria Campbell, Community Builder for Brixham Many locals and groups are keeping Brixham looking beautiful, tidying up neglected areas around the town, planting flowers and herbs for the bees and the butterflies. There are displays around the town that are lovingly tended by volunteers. I often overhear visitors who have paused to admire them saying how much they appreciate them. Val Porter took the … Continue reading Brixham – where the townsfolk are proud of their environment – Community Matters

By Joey Damiral, Community Builder for Chelston, Cockington & Livermead Hello, wonderful people of Torbay. My name is Joey Damiral and I work on behalf of the Torbay Community Development Trust. I was recently appointed as the new community builder for Chelston, Cockington and Livermead – a dynamic role that enables me to help individuals, social groups and local businesses to expand upon their connection … Continue reading Out and about, exploring and meeting new people – Community Matters

By Ceri Silk, Community Builder for Torquay Town Centre Double double toil and trouble. Fire burn and cauldron bubble… The bewitching weekend is upon us, and Torquay town centre shop windows are lavish with vibrant arrays of spooky memorabilia. Originally, the festival of All Hallows’ Day, Halloween has been celebrated with great enthusiasm and often outright abandon in Torquay since the Victorians. Yes, the nights are … Continue reading There’s loads going on in Torbay – Community Matters