Annual Report | 1
Torbay Community Development Trust
2015/16 ANNUAL R E P O RT
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A key area of focus for 2015-2016 has been to strengthen Voluntary, Community & Social Enterprise (VCSE) groups, in order to raise their profile and impact.
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Contents Pg 4 Pg 6 Pg 8 Pg 12 Pg 13 Pg 14 Pg 16 Pg 18 Pg 20 Pg 22 Pg 27 Pg 28 Pg 30 Pg 34
Introduction from Chair of Trustees, Martin Oxley Lead Officer, Simon Sherbersky Community Development Capacity Building, Volunteer Centre Torbay EVE - Ethical Volunteering & Employment Funding & Fundraising The Orb SENDIASS Ageing Well Martin Simon, ABCD Advisor to Ageing Well Torbay Timebank Finance & Accounts Trustees 2015-2016
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“The range of TCDT’s work and its impact is impressive and significant for Torbay, its communities and people.”
Martin Oxley Chair of Trustees
Torbay Community Development Trust (TCDT) exists to develop the capacity of Torbay’s voluntary and community organisations and groups, to foster greater collaboration within the sector and with other agencies, public and private, and to maximise external funding opportunities. Throughout 2015/16, there has been considerable progress in the delivery of this fundamental work. Some of the many achievements are highlighted here and in the rest of this report:
Increasing community capacity at a neighbourhood level • • •
The number of Community Builders across Torbay expanded, to facilitate more community connectivity and action We established 13 Neighbourhood Timebanks The capacity of the sector to adopt Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) approaches was developed
Increasing capacity of the voluntary and community sector to deliver their services • • • • •
We established a volunteering support service in the form of a nationally accredited Volunteer Centre An Organisational Timebank was launched We increased the scope, quantity, quality and diversity of volunteering One-to-one and group support has been provided to organisations via training, workshops and ‘consultancy’ support We improved access to good quality advice and information with the launch of The Orb
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Groups in the Bay work more effectively together to maximise the impact of their work •
Through training, workshops and interactive web based toolkit we supported the development of impact measurement skills
More sector partnership work with, and influence on statutory organisations, and businesses • • • • •
We worked with others to mitigate the risks brought about by public sector spending cuts We delivered a new service to reduce isolation and demand for statutory services (through the Ageing Well programme) We gave support to Torbay Community Partnership and its member network We supported local community groups in their applications for transfer of Council assets We supported community associations running local authority owned Community Centres
Increasing the flow of funding to the sector through an increase in grant applications and the establishment of social enterprises and other innovative approaches • • •
We provided information, training and advice on new types of funding opportunities We supported organisations in their funding applications We continue to actively explore asset based income generation possibilities, including transfer of public sector assets In complement to this infrastructural, capacity building and sector support, 2015/16 also saw the first full year of implementation of the Big Lottery funded Ageing Well Torbay Programme. Ageing Well Torbay aims to reduce isolation and loneliness in older people, aged over 50 and resident in Torbay. Significant progress has been made to date and the impact of the Programme continues to grow and develop. All of this work has been overseen by the TCDT Trustees throughout 2015/16. Trustees have also reviewed their own working and function in the last year. Amidst all the activity, growth and energy of the year, Trustees have continued to be mindful of future challenges to funding for TCDT’s core activity. The range of TCDT’s work and its impact is impressive and significant for Torbay, its communities and people. We take this opportunity to thank all of our funders for their continued support in the delivery of these activities. I thank all of the staff, volunteers and Trustees for their commitment and hard work over the last year.
Martin Oxley Chair of Trustees
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“In times of adversity, people always come together to find solutions and help each other�
Simon Sherbersky Lead Officer 2015/16 has been an amazing year for the Community Development Trust, which is here to support community action. So much has happened as you can see from this report. The organisation is much better established to support us all in making Torbay a wonderful place for all. There are lots of challenges, with significant cuts in public funding having a negative impact on support for those that need it and its going to get worse, but in times of adversity people always come together to find solutions and help each other and we are here to support you. Why not join your local Timebank and trade time and skills with your neighbours or volunteer with a charity doing work you care about. We believe that everyone has something to contribute. There has been a lot of activity but there could be so much more. If you care about something in your neighbourhood and want to do something about it, then get in touch, we are here to assist you in your ideas and activities. Lets work together to make Brixham, Paignton and Torquay places where everyone can flourish, where we all look out for each other and support each other in that endeavor.
Simon Sherbersky Lead Officer
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“We believe that everyone has something to contribute.� Simon Sherbersky
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“The Torbay Community Development Trust is seeking to bring back some of that ‘community of place’ through a network of Community Builders.
Community Development Tracey Cabache, Community Development Manager What’s been happening in our neighbourhoods over the past year?
we run the risk of losing the original sense of community – knowing the people who live near you and around you. Our neighbours, the people that work in our local shops, the bus driver, the person who smiles at us in the street for no reason other than they recognise our face. There is something very special about that interaction. We are after all very social animals, we like to help each other, we are reassured by the knowledge that, when asked, someone will help us. We do not like to be alone all the time!
2015-16 was a big year for Community Development in Torbay. Utilising funding provided through the Ageing Well Programme (see page 22), Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) expanded throughout the Bay with every neighbourhood now having a Community Builder. ABCD focuses on what is strong in a In our work we often hear local people hark back to the ‘Good old days’ – when we knew everyone in community, not what is wrong.
our street, our local shopkeeper knew the paper we wanted to buy before we asked for it, we knew who in Community means so many different things to us these days – technological advances and social media our neighbourhood could help with a DIY problem, who would look after our children for a few minutes means we can all be part of so many communities, when we needed to pop out. The Torbay Community we can choose to link up with people with whom Development Trust is seeking to bring back some we have the same interests, we can share our lives through Facebook, and our thoughts through Twitter, of that ‘community of place’ through a network of our photos on Instagram and Snapchat. The options Community Builders. are seemingly endless. What is a Community Builder? In a nutshell they are a builder of community. A person whose job it is to But as our lives get more and more cluttered with help reconnect people in a neighbourhood to find the these new opportunities and we try to keep up, hidden treasures, the wealth of skills, experience,
Annual Report | 9 The Community Builders, Martin Simon (back row, centre) and Tracey Cabache ( front row, second from left).
and knowledge that exists in all our neighbourhoods Community Building is subtle, it takes time and and make the assets in that area – the parks, the sometimes a leap of faith. But we know it is working buildings – accessible to as many people as possible. in other parts of the country and we are fortunate Builders find out what local people care enough to have the support of the founders of Community about to want to change, encouraging them, deciding Building in UK and Europe. They have seen time with them what to do, telling them stories about and time again that by linking people together how others have come together to make life better, great things can happen. Small actions add up to equipping them with tools and resources and then big changes, and they have proved that changes in stepping back and giving people the space neighbourhoods are best brought about by to make their neighbourhood work. Small actions the people that live there.
add up to big Over the past 12 months our Community More often than not, people are very changes, willing to help each other – but our Builders have worked with over 300 culture can make it hard for us to ask isolated older people, drawing on the for help, or we think someone needs to give us good will and energy of over 500 other community permission to get involved. The Community Builders members. They have helped local people set up over break these barriers down. We have thirteen 100 new community led initiatives including craft Community Builders working across the Bay – 2 groups, coffee mornings, support groups, a pop in Brixham, 4 in Paignton and 7 in Torquay. Every up community café, music clubs, they have linked neighbourhood has a Builder. You won’t find them in people with the same interest, they have helped find an office, they will be on the street, at the bus stop, in volunteers for local community centres, the list is the local café, in the community centre. Our building endless. work is particularly focused on reconnecting older people who are isolated, or at risk of becoming We are already seeing people’s lives change - in the isolated. But we involve the whole community to words of an elderly lady in St Marychurch, “since build that connectivity. meeting my Community Builder who introduced me to Ageing Well, I have found it both beneficial and
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Community Development Continued... helpful in coping with growing older. She has been most informative about all of the groups etc and receptive to our ideas which we feel might help our age group’. As we talk with people they tell us what needs improving in the Bay. A particular concern highlighted to us this year has been transport. Torbay is not the easiest place to get around, and bus services are being hit by the austerity cuts. During this year we piloted a few Community Transport initiatives, with the support of the Big Lottery and Sanctuary Housing. We trained mini bus drivers, borrowed existing mini buses from other willing groups and took people on day trips, or to important engagements. The success of these pilots has led to the development of a voluntary Community Transport Group, with a part-time paid worker, to explore the possibility of developing a fully-fledged Community Transport Scheme for Torbay.
“A particular concern highlighted to us this year has been transport.”
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We have thirteen Community Builders working across the Bay – 2 in Brixham, 4 in Paignton and 7 in Torquay
300
Over the past 12 months our Community Builders have worked with over 300 isolated older people
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Community Builders have helped local people set up over 100 new community led initiatives including craft groups, coffee mornings, support groups, a pop up community café, music clubs, they have linked people with the same interest, they have helped find volunteers for local community centres, the list is endless.
Left: A community wishing tree in action at Cockington
Annual Report | 11 Alongside the new initiatives the TCDT continues to support the more established neighbourhood based groups – the local Community Partnership network and our local Community Centres. Torbay’s Community Partnerships are led by local residents who want to improve the quality of life in their neighbourhoods. There are 16 across Torbay – one in every area. Originally set up as lobby groups to influence services provided by agencies, the Partnerships are increasingly becoming groups that deliver improvements themselves. As the cuts continue the Partnerships are stepping up and taking on more direct action, for example across the Bay we are seeing Partnerships running more local assets. In Goodrington the Community Partnership has taken on a plot of poorly maintained land and turned it into a Community
Orchard. On Paignton Seafront the Paignton Town Community Partnership has opened a Refreshment Kiosk to generate an income to maintain the Geoplay Park they built in 2012. The community is increasingly becoming the solution to many of Torbay’s challenges. And that is what the Community Development activities of the Torbay Community Development Trust are all about – whether it be the daily conversation of a Community Builder, a project of a Community Partnership, or an activity in the local Community Centre – we are here to enable local residents to make Torbay an even greater place to live.
Community Partnerships in action The Goodrington, Roseland and Hookhills Community Partnership, were joined by Mayor Gordon Oliver and Cllr Ray Hill, Chairman of the Council, on Saturday 5th December 2015 to plant a brand new orchard in Paignton. The site for the orchard, which is on the corner of Grange Road and Goodrington Road, was identified by Torbay Council as not being used. The local Community Partnerships took charge of the land following a community asset transfer and chose to develop the site into a green space that local residents could enjoy. Despite the considerably blustery weather, a team of 15 volunteers gathered to plant the trees. A variety of saplings including apple, pear and plum were donated for the orchard by Otter Nurseries and Sutton Seeds, as well as daffodils and primroses. Cllr Diane Stubley and Cllr Derek Mills generously donated camelia flowers and the Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust donated spades for the volunteers to use.
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“It was really great to get this support and enabled us to show how our radio project has helped young people to develop their confidence.” Kate Rudman- Sound Communities CIC
Capacity Building Peter Stokes, Capacity Building Manager Capacity Building- the support we provide to VCSE organisations and groups in Torbayencompasses funding advice, help with recruiting and managing volunteers (through our Volunteer Centre) and general business support. In 2015-16 one of the main ways we supported organisations was through Communities Can, a Big Lottery funded pilot project aimed at very small organisations with an income of up to £25,000 per year. The support comes in the form of a voucher, with a value of up to £2,500 per year, which groups can use to purchase the support they need from a list of approved providers.
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Are you involved in a local community group or organisation? Then you are probably doing something amazing for your community. Would you like a little help to develop what you do or address any problems you’re facing?
Groups were supported with 126 days of work at a value of over £30,000.
Volunteer Centre Torbay This year we worked hard to submit our application to be a nationally accredited Volunteer Centre. As we have grown our services we have also expanded our team of dedicated volunteers in order to deliver, while at the same time promoting the service to increase demand. In order to increase the number of people using the service, we began a programme of outreach events, including pop-up stands. Through 2015-16 we ran 6 pop-ups and 4 outreach events (e.g. giving promotional talks about volunteering at events). Through our volunteer matching service we help voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations in Torbay to find suitable volunteers. We also help individuals to find voluntary roles that suit their requirements. The Torbay Volunteering Forum was started in 2015-16, with 3 events held through the year. Over 70 people from a range of organisations have attended the forum, and the average satisfaction rating from attendees was 4.4/5. A range of topics were covered, with the majority suggested by the membership of the forum, across the workshops and panel discussions held. The Torbay Volunteering Forum will continue to run quarterly in 2016-17.
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139
One-to-one appointments for individuals who are interested in volunteering within Torbay.
175
Volunteering opportunities advertised on behalf of VCSE organisations within the Bay at any one time.
693
Applications processed for volunteering roles within Torbay.
Photos: The Torbay Volunteering Forum, clockwise from left: Sign leads the way Upton Vale Baptist Church, Torquay, networking & panel discussion South Devon College University Centre, panel discussion at Paignton Library & Information centre.
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Capacity Building Continued...
“Volunteering is a great step in motivating people to achieve more than they ever thought they could.”
EVE (Ethical Volunteering & Employment) People in recovery from long term drug and alcohol use often have very few positive life experiences. The supported volunteering provision provided through EVE aims to address some of the issues facing this group of people, low self-esteem, lack of confidence, lack of workplace expectations to name but a few. Not everyone who comes to find out what the volunteering programme is about take the next step. For some people it’s too early in their recovery to give a regular commitment to volunteer, but quite often as they become stronger and more committed to maintain their recovery they come back eager to get involved. During the last year the programme took a total of 97 requests from people who were either in the Treatment Service, or had heard about the programme through family or friends who had benefited from the service in the past. At the end of the year 42 people had volunteered for at least thirteen weeks with 10 others due to achieve
this thirteen week stage in the early part of this current year. Alongside Volunteering goes the offer of learning and development. Many of the people this programme supports have had no opportunity to achieve accredited courses. This is mainly due to their past life style choices. EVE aims to start the process in overcoming an individual’s belief that they couldn’t do anything like training or go on courses. During the year 43 people gained passes in various subjects e.g. First Aid at Work, Health and Safety in the Workplace Level 2, Risk Assessment In the Workplace Level 3, Drug and Alcohol Awareness, Level 1 & 2 in Health and Care Adults and Children, Painting and Decorating Diploma Level 1 & 2 and Level 2 Counselling Skills. Volunteering is a great step in motivating people to achieve more than they ever thought they could. Some people begin to volunteer for more than one organisation and for some they achieve their goal of getting work. During the last year 8 people started work and so far this year we have seen 2 other people take up employment.
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The EVE Programme success is down to 4 very important elements. • • • •
People in recovery being referred by Torbay Drug and Alcohol Services People in recovery being willing to be guided and supported by Torbay Community Development Trust to achieve their aspirations Torbay Council for supporting the Programme and most important of all The Voluntary and Community Sectors in Torbay who have offered opportunities to volunteer, provided the support and encouragement to recognise and meet individual needs and to be part of raising people’s belief in what they can achieve.
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Capacity Building Continued...
“We will be out on the water tonight for the first time in the new boats you got us the funding for, and our new kayaks will also be here for next weeks water session so again a VERY BIG THANK YOU for that.” Richard
Funding &Fundraising Robin Causley, Community Funding Advisor
Case study A small community group working with physically disabled adults and their carers had received some grant funding in the past, however more recently they had a funding bid to Big Lottery Fund turned down, leading to the community group having to restrict their services and support. Community Funding Advisor, Robin Causley undertook an organisational “health-check” with the group and identified the need to implement better monitoring and evaluation of services, improving their annual report and the way finances were managed. During the health-check, it was noted that the groups’ website could benefit from improvement, as well as policies, such as Adult Safeguarding and Health & Safety procedures updated. The previous unsuccessful bid to Big Lottery Fund was reviewed and the weaker elements of the application were identified and discussed. Robin offered advice and “model” policies, as well as undertaking a funding search for the group, which identified 3 possible funding sources. Applications were then drafted on the organisation’s behalf to Awards For All, as well as a large national trust and a small local trust. The two bids were successful in generating £12,500 for group. Since this process on-going support has been provided, including funding for a new minibus, improving the way the group evaluates and monitors it’s work and measures impact; developing their community fundraising strategy and generating future income from legacies and on-line donations.
Statistics
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225
Customer Satisfaction
106
Very satisfied with support
Funding Searches
Funding Applications
£ 1,729,305 Successful Applications Value
7
85%
Type of group supported
Rated information given as excellent.
Annual Income: Less than £30k: 58% £30k-£100k: 21% Over £100k: 11% No income/pre-start-up: 10% Registered Charities: 41% Unregistered Voluntary & Community Groups: 29% Social Enterprises(mostly CIC’s): 24% Groups setting up-type to be decided: 6%
Would recommend our service to others.
Fundraisers’ Forums
* These figures include 14 projects awarded a total of £20,000 in
grants by the Torbay Substance Misuse Recovery Panel which we administered on behalf of Torbay Council Public Health.
85%
100%
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“The name ‘Orb’ reflects a 360 degree view of Torbay and also picks out the Orb in Torbay”
The Orb Billy Hartstein, Health & Wellbeing Partnership Manager On the 25th February 2016 Torbay finally saw the launch of a new online directory of services for all of the bay and beyond. After a couple of false starts (isn’t there always with technology!) We finally felt we had enough quality to launch with the idea that we would incrementally improve the site through feedback, trial and error and by gradually introducing new features.
The idea to create a new directory had been bandied about for several years but with never quite enough enthusiasm to actually get it done, what has changed in recent years is two things. First of all (the carrot) is the realisation that different people need different things and that if people can find those things for themselves (self-help I believe it is called) they are more content with the outcomes. So better outcomes.
Secondly (another carrot) if people are finding what they want first time without going to professionals etc. then it saves a lot of time and time equals money. The online directory sits on a website called The Orb That does not mean to say that the Orb is not a useful which will provide a platform for community groups, tool for professionals as well, they are welcome to use individuals, companies and services to advertise it and help people to find out information quicker. We who they are and what they do, how much they cost are not talking about saving enough money to save and when they operate. It will also provide an events the world, but every little bit helps and there should calendar and the opportunity to support local or be enough to make sure that the Orb at least pays for national campaigns and items of interest. itself. The launch of The Orb has not be the end of the journey however, in fact to quote Churchill it will not even be the beginning of the end but merely the end of the beginning. We were, naturally, pleased with how The Orb looked on launch but expect it to change and adapt with how the people of Torbay use it and what they want to see it used for. So we fully expect to see The Orb evolve and look entirely different in a years’ time, although if it doesn’t we can live with that as well.
Annual Report | 19 Finally the introduction of the Care Act means that each Local Authority and each Local NHS Trust must ensure that its area it serves has an online directory of services that includes independent financial advice, local offers as well as several other legal necessities.
through updates in this newspaper. Evidence suggests that as the Orb gets known more people are contributing ideas and suggestions that will improve both the functionality and the content of the site.
as this helps other people make the right choice, it helps services know that they have to improve and in extreme cases exposes bad services.
Whether or not you choose to use a service listed in the Orb is entirely The name ‘Orb’ reflects a 360 up to an individual, we make no Fortunately and possibly uniquely degree view of Torbay and also recommendations although some both the Torbay and South Devon picks out the Orb in T-Orb-ay, most services will have accreditations NHS Foundation Trust and Torbay people who got in touch with us from other bodies listed alongside Council have given the Torbay wanted something to differentiate there information. Community Development Trust a with the normal blue and yellow of free hand to develop the Orb on Torbay and as a result people chose I explained this to a colleague the the understanding that we would burnt orange and red. other day in the following way. include the legal requirements and If I had a leaking pipe I would co-produce the project with the Two other unique things about be happy to have somebody people of Torbay. the Orb is that it will be managed from around the corner who in and from Torbay so if we do could come out that day and fix When we started this process want to make changes we just go it for £20 I wouldn’t particularly people told us that they wanted ahead and do it (time and money care about any other rating. If something that looked different, permitting). We won’t have to take however I wanted a new boiler that didn’t look either corporate it through several committees or with new radiators and plumbing or public sector. They wanted wait for a London based company throughout the house I would something that treated them as to allocate us the time (and charge probably want somebody who an equal and didn’t look down its us a hefty fee) before they can do has a good reputation, has a long metaphorical nose at them. People the work. list of qualifications and is CORGI also wanted something they would registered. Horses for courses! use, contribute to and improve Also the Orb will have its own Rate (interesting concepts!). & Review system where you can The Orb is free to use and free to tell other people how good or bad publicise your events on, we do So far, so good; although we a service listed on the Orb actually reserve the right to exclude some admit that only a small part of is, this will include services offered content though. the population have taken part by hospitals, GPs and dentists. We so far mostly via social media or want your reviews good or bad Billy Hartstein (right) & The Orb design team at the official launch
The community of Torbay have chosen or played a part in choosing: • The company that has built the Orb. • The name (more on that later). • The colour (more on this too) and design of the website. • Some of the content. • How it looks and works.
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SENDIASS Information, support and advice for young people & parents/carers of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities aged 0-25 Over the last year SENDIASS Torbay has come a long way. We have employed two new members of staff, which has really helped us be able to support people as soon as they need it, our phone lines are now open and manned more often and for longer, with an administrator joining us soon, this is only set to improve. We have successfully commissioned Young Devon to hold monthly meetings with a core group of 8-10 young people to develop and shape the SENDIASS TORBAY services and make sure young people’s voices are being heard. We want to engage more post-16 young people using our services and ensure that they are getting the Information, Advice and Support they are entitled to.
Ratio of people supported
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Case Studies: Effective Partnership Working Mrs P contacted the service for assistance with the conversion of her son’s Plan.
to attend the Chestnuts full time, however there was no space available at the centre. The local YMCA was discussed as an option, unfortunately this is not B, 8 years old, is diagnosed with ADHD for which a full time educational setting and only serves as he takes daily medication, he has struggles with provision for excluded pupils in the interim period. anger and anxiety and also has difficulties with Discussion was held into the option of B returning social interactions and communication. Schooling to the School he was excluded from. Understandably has been a huge problem for B, in primary school Mrs P was concerned that B had lost faith in the he was physically and verbally abusive to teaching School, and had previously injured 2 members of staff and other children, destructed school property staff which would leave him feeling alienated and amongst othersleading to exclusion from the unwanted. setting. After much exploration and full and frank B’s original Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) collaboration between the agencies present, the was issued in August 2015 and amendments were decision was made to split B’s education between needed to reflect his exclusion and to arrange his original School and the YMCA with 1:1 supportsupport going forward in an environment that maintaining a full school day 2 days a week and 3 would suit his needs and difficulties. days shared between the venues. B’s medication was altered to help calm his anger and mood, family Post exclusion- Mrs P had sought support for B from counselling was implemented and a continuing Chestnuts-a special school with an Outreach Team, quest to find alternative permanent provision was who had given help until March of this year, when agreed. a re-referral became necessary and was pending at the time of the conversion meeting. Since the meeting, Mrs P has stayed in contact with SENDIASS. She has been able to happily advise that The conversion meeting bought together B is now in full time education at Chestnuts and representatives from B’s family, school, SENCo, Ed whilst he has good days and bad days, he is happy Psych, an LA advisory teacher and SENDIASS (IS). in his environment and his learning is advancing in reflection of the support he receives. We feel it Mrs P was very anxious about B’s options for an is a great achievement that Mrs P has been able to alternative school setting and wished to have a secure enhanced provision for her son utilising the managed move as she felt his Primary school could EHCP Plan to its best. no longer meet his needs. She ultimately wanted B “I write with reference to the support I received at my sons’ post - exclusion meeting on Monday. I was nervous prior to the meeting, especially as the Headteacher had been particularly difficult and obstructive regarding the exclusion and the schools failure to support my child as they’d previously agreed. The SENDIASS staff member was absolutely outstanding. She listened to all the information given and gave across detailed advice and recommendations, she even set straight some of the statements the SENCO made (I appreciate things can change frequently) It was lovely having someone there who knew what they were talking about and could help defend myself and my son with the legal and practical side of supporting a child with additional needs. I, myself feel that I know my stuff, but she taught me things that I wasn’t aware of and going forward will help my confidence in challenging the school when they aren’t playing ball. The service SENDIASS provide is crucial in helping families like my own achieve the best for our children and I’m thankful that you were there for me when I needed you.”
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Ageing Well A 6 year, Big Lottery funded programme to reduce isolation and loneliness in people over the age of 50 living in Torbay. 2015-2016 was fantastically exciting as it was the first operational year of the Ageing Well Torbay programme. Although most of our population has a negative view of ageing, this programme is about helping society to see the advantages and strengths of ageing as opposed to the problems.
The Ageing Well programme has four broad aims: 1. To reconnect older people with friends, and their communities by supporting creating a sense of neighbourliness 2. To enable more older people to feel their lives have value and purpose and contribute their time, skills and knowledge to their wider community 3. To ensure more older people have high personal, learning and service aspirations and to co-design and co-produce plans for new services 4. To ensure more local residents value older people, and that ageing is celebrated and viewed more positively
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Delivery Partners Torbay Community Development Trust is the lead agency for the Ageing Well Torbay programme, which is delivered by the following partners:
Circles of Support is aimed at carers over the age of 50. The scheme from Carers Trust Phoenix helps develop a person centric support network, so people can achieve goals and aspirations that they wouldn’t otherwise be able to due to their circumstances.
Growing Older Together is a project ran by
Mencap that works with families in Torbay that include a person with a learning disability where at least one of the immediate family members is aged 50 or over.
Community Builders are working across Torbay to help people find ways to positively change their neighbourhoods into the places that they would like them to be, so people of all ages can feel included. The Community Builders are employed by Torbay Community Development Trust
Independent Support Brokers help people live life as independently as possible, by helping them to source, plan, negotiate, budget and manage their own support and care needs.
Torbay Navigators is a project by British Red
Cross that helps people over the age of 50 who are going through a major change or transition in their lives, including bereavement, retirement, job loss, divorce, family or health changes.
Wellbeing Coordinators help people to be active in managing their own wellbeing, health and care and to improve their experience of care and support in the community. Wellbeing Torbay is delivered by Age UK and Brixham Does Care.
In the period 2015-2016 Torbay Community Development Trust worked together with Age UK, Brixham Does Care, Phoenix Trust/Crossroads Care, Mencap, and British Red Cross, to deliver the four identified strands of activity.
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“This project has saved my life”
Case study Community Builder, Nina met Glynis through the 6 year, Big Lottery funded programme Ageing Well Torbay. Glynis is 74 years old and lives in Paignton. She had to stop driving due to arthritis in her hands and there is no public transport where she lives. “When you start to get older you don’t have the ability to get around like you used to when you were younger so you do get more isolated” Over time Glynis had become isolated from her local community, not seeing people, having hobbies but losing interest as she had no one to talk to or share them with. “I used to spend endless hours watching the world go by through the window. And now I feel I’m part of it” Glynis met Nina, an Ageing Well Community Builder. “When she told me what they did, I thought this is incredible...it’s kick started my life again” Glynis is now active in her community again. She regularly volunteers in the local pop up café and made a great contribution to the launch of Ageing Well Torbay by sharing her hobby of Paper Quilling at the 2015 Ageing Well Festival.
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Autumn ‘15 saw the first Ageing Well Festival which coincided with International Older People’s Day. The festival was a four day extravaganza with over eighty activities across the bay and more than 400 people taking part.
Dance night with a twist, Ageing Well Festival 2015
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“We all like to feel useful, to be in control of our destinies and to have fun”
We are well on our way now to reconnecting significant numbers of isolated older people just as we intended, through an increased sense of neighbourliness. We are busy cultivating a stimulating and caring environment in each neighbourhood where older people can write their own story about living well as they grow older. The plan is not to come up with the answers. The team are out and about in the neighbourhoods, all day every day, getting to know people and asking questions. We want people to determine what they want to happen in the places where they live and to discover together what it is that they care enough about to do something about to change things for the better. We are investing in the inventiveness of older people. We listen and learn about what a good life looks and feels like for each older person we meet. We are not there to “fix” people. Whatever is to be done to get them back on track has to be decided on by each older person at a pace they are comfortable with, in a language they understand and in ways that are meaningful to them. We also are keeping in mind that as we grow older we focus more on ‘being’ than on ‘doing’ and on the present more than the future. But we all like to feel useful, to be in control of our destinies and to have fun.
Martin Simon Advisor to Ageing Well Torbay
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Torbay Timebank Timebanking is about bringing people together to make a difference in communities and making things happen Edgar S Cahn, civil rights campaigner and Bobby Kennedy’s speech writer, made a special trip to Torbay in November to officially launch the Torbay Timebanking scheme. The launch event, which was held on Monday 16th November at the Windmill Centre, Pendennis Road, Torquay was well attended, with people from across the Bay keen to find out more about the scheme and learn about opportunities to join the Timebank in their local area. Cahn made a spellbinding speech about the origins of Timebanking and the value of community, place and individuals skills. Cahn began by saying “there should be no throwaway people” before imploring the audience to “start to trust one another. The smallest act of helping someone” he said “defines value.”
“there should be no throwaway people”
Timebanking, which was founded by Edgar Cahn, now operates in 22 countries throughout the world and is an initiative that allows people to exchange skills and help one another in their local area. For example a person could join the Timebank and offer a dog walking service for 1 hour, which would give them a credit of one hour to use for something that they may need, such as computer help or fence painting. It is possible for people to receive help from the Timebank before they have any credits. Sarah Warren Timebank Co-ordinator for Torbay Community Development Trust said of the event “Having Edgar S. Cahn attend our official launch was fantastic and a huge boost for us.” Right: Brixham Community Builder, Victoria Campbell with Edgar Cahn.
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2015-2016 Statistics We now have 14 timebanks = 13 neighbourhood and 1 organisation • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Blatchcombe Brixham Chelston Churston, Galmpton & Broadsands Ellacombe & Plainmoor Goodrington, Roselands & Hookhills Paignton Preston Shiphay & the Willows St Marychurch, Babbacombe & Maidencombe Torquay Town Centre & Upton Watcombe, Hele & Barton Wellswood TCDT Organisation Timebank
Photos: Above - Learning shorthand in Paignton. Below - Lead Officer, Simon Sherbersky gardening
New timebanks launched in Jan 2016 = • •
Churston, Galmpton & Broadsands, Goodrington, Roselands & Hookhills, Shiphay & the Willows
New members
130
Total hours exchanged across Torbay
502
Skills exchanged • • • • • • • • • • •
DIY Gardening Befriending Dog walking Pet sitting Car driving / lifts Computer help Grocery shopping / errands Laundry / ironing Phone calling And lots more!
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Finance & Accounts
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Financial Report During the Financial Year which has seen considerable increased activity due mainly to the beginning of the “Ageing Better” programme, the Trustees report that for the financial year 2015/2016 there is a small deficit of £720 on the unrestricted General Fund. The balance of the unrestricted General Fund now stands at £73,829 and these funds are available to the Trustees to further the objects of the Charity. The contract and funding from Torbay Council commenced on 1st April 2014 and is for £100,000 per annum for 3 years. This will end on 31st March 2017 and will have an impact on the ability of the Trust to maintain its level of support for the Voluntary Sector in Torbay unless alternative sources of finance are found. These are being actively pursued. The “Ageing Better” programme, which began on 1st April 2015 is for £1 million per annum for 6 years and has had substantial impact on the operation of the finances of the Trust, which is the lead agency for this partnership programme. The initial tranche of the “Ageing Better” funds were paid up front and it took a while until all of the relevant posts and services were in place, allowing the partnership to reallocate funds over the next 5 years.
Finance Team 2015-16
Roger Ede Treasurer (Trustee)
Mary Jenkins Finance Manager
Jake Hills Finance & Admin Apprentice
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Torbay Community Development Trust LTD Summary of Financial Activities Year Ended 31st March 2016
Unrestricted Funds
Restricted Funds
Total 31.03.16
Total 31.03.15
TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES
£274,134
£1,251,338
£1,525,476
£480,307
TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED
£274,858
£698,864
£973,722
£385,203
NET Incoming (Outgoing) Resources/Net Income (Expenditure) for the Year.
(£720)
£552,474
£551,754
£95,104
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS Fund balances as at 1st April 2014
(£720) £215,084
£552,474 £121,291
£551,754 £336,375
£95,104 £241,271
Fund Balances as at 31st March 2015
£214,364
£673,765
£888,129
£336,375
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Torbay Community Development Trust LTD Balance Sheet
As at 31st March 2016
2016 £ £
FIXED ASSETS Tangible Fixed Assets
2015 £ £
£144,761
£140,535
CURRENT ASSETS Debtors Cash at Bank and in hand
£154,073 £685,091 £839,164
£89,818 £164,688 £254,506
CREDITORS: Amounts falling due within one year
£68,570
£39,892
NET CURRENT ASSETS
£770,594
£214,614
Total Assets less Current Liabilities Provision for Liabilities & Charges
£911,129
£359,375
(23,000)
(23,000)
NET ASSETS
£888,129
£336,375
£673,765 £214,364
£121,291 £215,084
£888,129
£336,375
Financed by: FUNDS Restricted Income Funds Unrestricted Income Funds Total Charity Funds
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Martin Oxley - Chair Jenny Paton - Vice Chair Roger Ede - Treasurer Andrew Wade Chris Forster Damian Offer Helen Harman Jim Parker Cllr Julien Parrott Dr Kevin Dixon Marilyn Martin Pat Harris Cllr Robert Excell Tanny Stobart
Trustees 2015/16
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Torbay Community Development Trust 4-8 Temperance Street Torquay TQ2 5PU 01803 212638 info@torbaycdt.org.uk
www.torbaycdt.org.uk Torbay Community Development Trust is a Registered Charity 1140896.
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