A Torbay community hub is hosting a special event in Paignton next month to help provide local people with energy advice and financial support during the coming Winter months.
Paignton Community Hub, based downstairs at Paignton Library, is running the event on Tuesday 26th November from 10am – 2pm, in partnership with Torbay Health and Wellbeing Voluntary Sector Network and local non-profit community organisation Engaging Communities South West. During the event, local residents will have the opportunity to find out about:
• Local health, care and wellbeing support available from the services themselves, including Citizens Advice Torbay, Age UK Torbay, NHS Breast Screening Team and local support charities such as ‘I can do that’, ‘What’s your problem’ and Devon Clinic, amongst others.
• Government and financial support to support people with rising energy costs. People will be able to check if they are eligible for financial support from Torbay Council, with help on hand to fill out Pension Credit application forms. Barclays Bank will also be present to advise on other areas of financial support along with the Department for Work and Pensions.
• How to stay warm this winter, with energy advice, guidance and even a free to enter prize draw from Exeter Community Energy (ECOE) to win a ‘Warm Pack’ – which include items such as a blanket, flask, hat and gloves, hot water bottle and more.
• Support on offer at Paignton Community Hub, including from independent healthcare champion Healthwatch Torbay, Eat That Frog and Libraries Unlimited.
Paignton Community Hub is based on the ground floor of Paignton Library, next to both Paignton’s train and bus stations on Great Western Road and is funded by a contribution from Torbay Council’s Adult Social Care precept. The Hub is currently working with a local GP at Paignton’s Corner Place Surgery to offer Torbay residents free health and blood pressure checks, and also offer other free services such as Diabetic Eye Screening and digital support sessions with Digital Health Devon and Eat That Frog.
Dr Kevin Dixon, Chair of Engaging Communities South West, who run Paignton Community Hub, said:
“For many people, it is difficult to find out about these services and the financial support available or to get energy advice. This is why we are looking to host this special in-person event to support those who may not be aware of, or able to, access the support available.”
“Our local community has been hit, like many others, by the impact of the cost of living crisis and we are concerned how this will affect our local population this winter. We sincerely hope this event helps to support people in Torbay to ‘beat the freeze’ during the coming Winter and hope to see many people there on the day.”
For more information on services available at Paignton Community Hub or if you are an organisation who would like to book a room, please call 07562 780102, email info@paigntoncommunityhub.org.uk or visit the Hub in person between 9.30am and 1.30pm, Monday to Friday.
ENDS
Notes to the Editor
1. Engaging Communities South West works to help communities transform the way local services are designed and delivered, by offering engagement, evaluation, communications support, digital support, training and advice to the statutory, voluntary and private sectors. Our strategic themes:
• Community Voice – We deliver projects that help people and communities to make their voices heard.
• Access and Empowerment – We deliver projects that empower people to have more control over their own lives, and improve access to the services and support that they need to live well.
• Strategic Support – We support organisations to plan, communicate, evaluate and improve projects and services through a person-centred, community-responsive, and evidence-based approach.
2. Paignton Community Hub is run by Engaging Communities South West, in conjunction with the Torbay Community Helpline, run by Torbay Community Development Trust and for both people who need help and those who want to offer help. They also work with key partners from the Torbay Health and Wellbeing Voluntary Sector Network, including Age UK Torbay, Citizen’s Advice Torbay, healthcare consumer champion Healthwatch Torbay, and many others. The service has been funded by a contribution from Torbay Council’s Adult Social Care precept.
For more information please visit https://engagingcommunitiessouthwest.org.uk/ or contact Engaging Communities South West Digital and Communications Lead Simon Culley on 01803 402 751 or via email at Simon.Culley@engagingcommunitiessouthwest.org.uk.
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