MAGAZINE EMPOWERING WOMEN HOSPITALITY RETAIL The Lupton Trust

Lupton is a charity that offers a place of hope for the individuals and communities it serves

Run by the community, for the community

BACKGROUND/HISTORY

The Lupton Trust was formed in 2009 by an enthusiastic and dedicated group of local people who had a natural desire to “make a difference” and breathe life back into rundown Lupton House and grounds and its surrounding community.

Lupton House is set in the heart of magnificent woodland. It is a Grade 2* listed building in need of huge TLC and a massive, extensive upgrade of basic services. Work has already become a key focus in the community for groups, colleges and the voluntary sector.

Initially with no paid staff and very little funds, over half of the rooms are now in use. Broken windows have been replaced, decades of mould have been cleaned from walls; ceilings and doors, elegant forgotten rooms have been lovingly restored.

The Lupton Community project is going from strength to strength. This old abandoned school has been brought back to life by the community for the local community.

The Lupton Trust now hosts a comprehensive selection of activities such as dance, art groups, complementary therapies, a forest school, community gardening and historical talks. This beautiful location is becoming a much sought-after venue for charity events/fundraising for good causes, conferences and seminars, as well as celebrations and weddings.

In 2013 Lupton Trust won “The Big Society” award The Prime Minister said:

“I am incredibly impressed by what this group has achieved. The Lupton Trust has inspired and empowered people, providing work experience for people suffering from mental illness, for disabled people, and for those looking for employment. It has built people’s confidence in their abilities and helped them to forge new social and business partnerships. The project has brought together a community that will leave a powerful and lasting legacy for future generations - it is an excellent example of the Big Society in action.”

The continued success is due to the dedicated volunteers who tirelessly do what needs to be done to keep this project in the community;

Special thanks go to 4 Seasons, the disabled gardeners who keep the paths clear, tend to the rose garden and grow plants to sell by the cafe.

The “muscle” came from the community service who attend at the weekend as part of their community payback hours; they pay back to the community by decorating, digging, building, and clearing up after events.

The traditional skills needed come from the retired volunteers who continually impart their wisdom, patience and enthusiasm whilst unconsciously, by example, teaching the younger generation about hard work.

The welcoming ethos of Lupton transforms people’s lives. It inspires creativity and purpose, friendship and hope, kindness and compassion, creating partnerships that will grow and are developing into very solid foundations.

In its short existence since 2008, Lupton Charitable Trust has truly brought together a community for today’s Torbay area that will leave a lasting legacy for future generations.

Where We Are Now

Lupton is now a valued community asset built by the people for the people.

Lupton is located in the heart of Torbay which is primarily a tourist destination, Lupton remains the place where local people find peace and solace especially in the summer.

With ample free parking and wonderful woodland walks Lupton is favourable for dog walkers and people wanting to spend time in nature. The Coach House café is especially popular with carers and the elderly some who use the outdoor space to reflect on loved ones who are no longer with us.

Lupton is a growing Health and Wellbeing centre as people seek help and support whilst waiting for NHS treatments. More and more people are looking to spend time in nature and look after their health and wellbeing.

Activities

Health and wellbeing

Various one to one therapies

Exercise classes, Pilates, yoga, dance

Wellbeing workshops

Support and signposting for health and wellbeing

Kindness and listening….time to care

Walking groups

Music groups, singing groups

Knitting circle

Wednesday is over 55s volunteer day in the orchard

Healing

Other activities/services

Weddings

Funerals

Celebrations

Forest school

Meeting rooms

Support for local charities

Community events

Health related volunteering activities

Growing plants and seeds to develop a garden centre

Helping in the gardens

Helping in the orchards

Helping with events

Helping with housekeeping

Helping with fundraising

We have volunteers in all areas of the project the eldest of which is 82 years young.

Pilot Project

We have run three Pilot groups in the past twelve months.

One Adult group with a mix of self-referred and referred members focused on increasing physical activity and reducing social isolation.

One Adult group for members referred by social prescribers with issues around anxiety, loss, depression and social isolation

One Inter-Generational group mixing adults and pre-school children and helping them to work together developing social interaction and sharing skills and experience – and watching them design, build and test a see-saw together from reclaimed timber and logs was quite an experience!

Adults from all of these groups have become volunteers with Lupton trust after their groups finished.

Funding Needed

In order to continue to support and care for volunteers we need funds to employ a volunteer coordinator, this is especially for the older generation who have valuable skills to share and or special health requirements.

Lupton has an ancient orchard the older generation who volunteer on Wednesdays would like to make into a sensory happy remembrance garden. Many people have lost loved ones over the last few years, they would like to create a space where positive remembrance of loved ones can take place. We will need tools, plants, signs, and benches.

The outdoor seating in the café is unsuitable for the older generation who have trouble accessing the benches and prefer seats with back supports.

The existing outdoor furniture is reaching the end of its life, we need to purchase age appropriate outdoor furniture.

The increase in energy prices will put a strain on our current resources; we need funds to continue keep users warm.