Calls to the Torbay Community Coronavirus Helplines have now passed the 5000 mark.
Teams have been staffing the helplines on 01803 446022 and 01803 857727 between 8 am and 8 pm seven days a week. This provides much-needed help for the Bay’s most vulnerable.
Staff from Torbay Community Development Trust, Age UK and Brixham Does Care have also been working to match hundreds of volunteers with people in need of help, in the hope that they can support each throughout the crisis with food shopping, prescription deliveries and telephone befriending.
Community builders and wellbeing coordinators have also been joined by volunteers to provide a rapid response to a daily average of 30 plus families and individuals whose food or medicines have already run out.
Citizens Advice Torbay and Healthwatch Torbay have also been providing essential health guidance and financial information through their respective websites. All the links can be found on the community support section of www.torbayhelphub.com
The charity and voluntary sector have been working alongside colleagues from Torbay Council and the Torbay and South Devon NHS Trust to ensure everyone in the Bay is catered for
The Torbay Food Alliance Crowdfunder which was set up two weeks ago, yesterday passed £21,000 with a £5000 donation from Torquay based Cavanna Homes.
Keith Miller, Managing Director of Cavanna Homes said: “Torbay has been top of the South West’s deprivation list for some years now and with the hospitality industry locked-down during the coronavirus crisis, families and individuals living here have been disproportionately affected.
“As a local business we are pleased to contribute to the excellent work of the Torbay Food Alliance which, through its network of charities and distributors, is ensuring that those most at need have food and essential supplies during this difficult time.”
In the first three weeks of operation, the Alliance, which is made up of 15 organisations from across the Bay, have provided 1,268 food parcels and 4,122 hot meals to vulnerable individuals and families.
There are also now more than 50 streets and neighbourhoods across the Bay who are self-organising to watch out for their neighbours, checking in with regular phone calls and WhatsApp messages to ensure everyone has everything they need.
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