Torbay Council can confirm the community organisations it will be supporting to provide much-needed warm spaces and food help this winter.
The 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.
The council is using £75,000 from its £1.2m allocation of the current round of the Household Support Fund to support warm spaces.
It’s 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 existing support the council is offering for people who need help with food costs.
It has 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 the council and the community helpline.
Last week, the council announced its 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
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