Torbay Council confirm that community organisations will be supporting the community to provide much-needed warm spaces and food to help this winter.
Torbay Council is providing funding for 23 venues across the Bay to host warm spaces – free, welcoming safe spaces where visitors can get a hot drink.
There are also five organisations which will receive funding to run affordable food clubs, also known as social supermarkets, which are a more sustainable alternative to traditional food banks.
The voluntary and community sector and social enterprises, including faith groups, were invited to bid for funding to run warm spaces and food clubs.
We’re using £75,000 from our £1.2m allocation of the current round of the Household Support Fund to support warm spaces.
We’re allocating nearly £80,000 of council funding towards the food clubs. While the warm spaces are up and running now, the food clubs will be developed over the coming months as part of a longer-term plan.
Councillor Jackie Stockman, Cabinet Member for Adults and Public Health, said: “We know from our voluntary sector how difficult households are finding it right now. It’s great to see such a broad range of grassroots organisations providing these services for our communities.
“At a time when food and fuel costs are so high, it’s vital that people have somewhere to go if they need it. We recognise that community partners are also affected by rising food and fuel costs and might need a bit of extra help to offer these schemes so I’m pleased this money will help them do that.”
The food clubs complement the existing support we’re offering for people who need help with food costs.
We’ve also allocated £100,000 to food banks from the Household Support Fund to help them to meet the increased demand and rising costs of food.
This will be distributed via Torbay Food Alliance, a voluntary consortium of 12 food aid providers working across Torbay, which works in partnership with us and the community helpline.
Last week, we announced our popular Healthy Holidays Christmas activity scheme will be returning over the school festive break for children receiving benefits-related free school meals.
Children eligible for free school meals will also each be entitled to a £30 holiday meal voucher during the Christmas break. These will be given out directly by schools.
Councillor Cordelia Law, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “The money we’re providing to warm spaces and food clubs complements the work we’re doing to support families over the Christmas break through our Healthy Holidays programme and holiday meal vouchers.
“Not only does Healthy Holidays ensure children are well fed – thereby taking some of the pressure off parents – it’s an opportunity for them to meet friends and make new ones, take part in fun activities and learn new skills.”
The council-funded warm spaces are:
- Acorn Centre
- ASEND SW CIC
- Brixham Baptist Church
- Cayman Golf
- Church 180 Elim
- Ellacombe Community Partnership
- Furrough Cross
- Groundwork South (Great Parks)
- Hookhills Community Centre
- Libraries Unlimited
- Maker Arts CIC
- Paignton Community Larder
- Paignton Parish
- Preston Baptist Church
- Riviera Life
- Shekinah
- St Matthias Church
- The Haven
- The Living Room
- Time Out Community Hub
- Turning Heads CIC
- Upton Vale
- YES Brixham
The food clubs will be located at:
- Preston Baptist Church
- ASEND SW CIC working in partnership with Torbay United
- Riviera Life Church
- Turning Heads CIC
- Groundwork South working in partnership with Great Parks Community Centre
