April 2016
Issue 7 2015
Keeping you up to date
NEWS FROM TCDT NEWS FROM TORBAY WHAT’S ON
Job Opportunities
TORBAY INCLUSIVE FOOTBALL CLUB TUESDAY’S (2PM – 3PM) ACORN CENTRE, TORQUAY
MENTAL HEALTH SESSIONS
Be a part of Football in Torbay!!
5-a-side Football Practice Coaching, training and matches Sports Hall, Lummaton Cross, Acorn Centre, Torquay, TQ2 8ET Over 16 years only To find out more, please contact Brendon Pollard at Shekinah Mission on 07435787340 or email brendon.pollard@shekinahmission.co.uk
Another action packed month for Torbay Community Development Trust! This month we are excited to bring you all of the latest news from the Trust, as well as from across Torbay. We have a very special feature on the recent Sanctuay Community Star Awards, as well as a feature on a new project called Merry Widows. If this wasn’t enough we have a round-up of funding opportunities, jobs and all of the latest events! Sophia Sheridan Marketing & Communications
In this edition
4 6 8 9 10 11 14 16
Latest news from TCDT Torbay news Job opportunities Community Builder updates Funding round-up Sanctuary Housing Community Star Awards Merry Widows What’s on!
To be included in the next edition of Torbay Community Development Trust News please contact the editor Sophia Sheridan on sophiasheridan@torbaycdt.org.uk
News from TCDT
Workplace pensions workshop Workplace pensions are being phased in over a period of time and many organisations are already signed up to a pension scheme for their employees. Even if you only employ one person you may have to offer your employee a workplace pension depending on their age and earnings. During the next eighteen months those employers who are not already offering a workplace pension scheme to their employees will have to join a scheme. The Pensions Regulator will send you a letter telling you the Staging date for your business. If you have not already received a letter you can find your staging date by logging on to www.thepensionsregulator. gov.uk, you will need your PAYE reference number to find out your staging date. Understandably many employers are confused by the new regulations and what they have to do to comply but help is at hand – on Thursday 21 April Torbay Community Development Trust are holding a Workplace Pensions Workshop at Paignton Library for members to find out more about what workplace pensions and auto enrolment means for them. To join the workshop email maryjenkins@torbaycdt.org.uk
Trustees Coffee Friday 22nd April. All welcome
Mark Smith volunteers with the Torbay Community Development Trust, helping to run the Volunteer Centre. As I am currently as they say “between jobs” I was recently required to attend a Work Trial through the Job Centre. I must admit to being a little disappointed as I was to be placed within a Retail environment and having worked for many years in this field I felt that I was gaining more from my Volunteering roles. I currently Volunteer at The Torbay Community Development Trust as a Volunteer Placements Advisor, in this role I assist members of the public in finding suitable Voluntary positions within Torbay using Do-It which is a national website for Volunteers. In addition to this I also Volunteer at The Carers Trust Phoenix where I help out with the office administration. So if I am being honest I was initially a little reluctant but was to be more than pleasantly surprised. I had not previously heard of Dame Hannah Rogers but soon found out what a wonderful organisation they are and their excellent work helping people with profound learning difficulties. I had not counted on the feelings of satisfaction I felt upon selling an item and knowing that the sale was going towards such a worthy cause, and contributing directly to an individuals wellbeing. This certainly differed from my previous retail roles and I would recommend it to anyone looking to make a contribution towards their Community. For some the thought of working with the public may seem a little daunting but many charity shops require people to work behind the scenes in the stock room which is certainly an important cog in the machine of a shop. Since completing my Work Trial I now volunteer at the shop on Saturdays and feel lucky that this opportunity was presented to me.
News from TCDT
Torbay Volunteering Forum Torbay Fundraisers’ Forum Many groups and organisations struggle with finding funding for themselves and their projects. If this sounds familiar to you, why not join our Torbay Fundraisers Forum on 9th May. Contact Robin Causley robincausley@torbaycdt.org.uk for more details!
The Torbay Community Development Trust regularly run a free Volunteering Forum for anyone who works with volunteers. The forum offers invaluable networking for individuals, it also offers them the chance to brush up on skills and knowledge. On Wednesday 30th March we held another successful event, but this time in a new location, South Devon College’s University Centre.
There are always a choice of workshops available for attendees and Wednesday’s event was no different. Neil Thomas-Childs,Volunteer Co-ordinator from Paignton Zoo ran a session on getting volunteers respected within organisations, Patrick Duke from Torbay Council led a group on safeguarding, and Sophia Sheridan from Torbay Community Development Trust, led a workshop on using social media to recruit volunteers. Each forum ends with a panel discussion with questions coming from the floor and also through Twitter and Facebook. The panel for this discussion were Jan Moate,Volunteer Officer for Integrated Youth Support Service, Neil Thomas-Childs from Paignton Zoo and also Peter Stokes, the Capacity Building Manager for TCDT. The debate focused Volunteering forum dates: on Micro-volunteering, for those that don’t know, micro-volunteering means to offer to volunteer for 21st June 2016 a worthy cause either as a one off, or as and when 21st September 2016 you can, rather than a regular commitment.
14th December 2016
Peter Stokes, who organises the event said “It was great to see another Volunteering Forum so well attended and with such lively and informative debate. The panel discussion on Micro-volunteering in particular threw up some interesting points for further discussion, and it was heartening to see the networking lunch once again used to forge new working connections”.
Left: Networking over lunch after the Torbay Volunteering Forum, held at South Devon College, University Centre
News from across Torbay
Would you like your news, job vacancy or upcoming event including on these pages? Contact Sophia Sheridan by the 11th of each month. sophiasheridan@ torbaycdt.org.uk or 01803 212638
Volunteers needed! Carers Trust Phoenix are looking for a number of volunteer roles, including gardeners and friends. If you are interested please contact Chrissie Chant for more details. Tel 01803 323510 or Mob 07717 337276 Email chrissie.chant@carerstrustphoenix.org.uk
News from across Torbay
On Monday 11 April 2016 a major milestone will be reached when traffic through Torre will be flowing in a different direction, providing a more direct access into Torquay Town Centre. This will follow a road closure of Union Street, between Tramaton Avenue and Laburnham Row, on Sunday 10 April, which is need to enable some of the final works to be carried out. The first part of this traffic reversal scheme has already seen the alteration of the traffic signal junction at Tor Hill Road and Abbey Road, which is locally known as Central Church. This now provides traffic leaving the Town Centre from Castle Circus the ability to turn right into Tor Hill Road. The reversal of traffic flow within Torre has been an aspiration of the local traders and community groups for many years, and has been made possible with support and funding from the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). Councillor Mark King, Executive Lead for Planning, Transport and Housing said: “It is great news that this well wanted scheme reaches the major milestone of the flow of traffic being reversed through Torre. Once completed, the scheme will see traffic being able to get into Torre and the Town Centre more easily; reducing delays, congestion and improving air quality. Pedestrians and cyclists will also benefit from new crossings and opportunities for improved routes “The changes to the one-way system may of course cause some confusion to drivers, pedestrians and bus passengers while everyone is getting used to the way the traffic flows. I highly advise that everyone coming into Torre and Torquay town centre in the next few weeks familiarises themselves with the new arrangements.” Following the reversal of traffic a number of further improvements will still need to take place. These will take place with minimal disruption to traffic flow. To see a map on how the traffic will be directed into the town centre visit: www.torbay.gov.uk/ highwayimprovement/torre-reversal-moving-tro-changes.pdf
Job with Torbay Voice! Link Worker Temporary contract for up to 12 months Salary: £7.50 per hour 16 hours per week over 3 or 4 days Closing date: Friday 22 April 2016 by 4pm (applications received after this date will not be accepted)
For more information contact Jess on 07810654761or 01803 208128 Jess.sneddon@torbay. gov.uk
Ageing Well - Job Vacancies Job title: Participation Development Officer Employer: Torbay Community Development Trust, 4 – 8 Temperance Street, Torquay, TQ2 5PU Salary: £24,500 Hours: 37.5 hours per week, including evenings and weekends Contract: Initial 2 year fixed term contract Closing Date: 5.00pm, 29 April 2016 Job role: To create a stronger, more active voice for older people living in Brixham, Paignton and Torquay. This will involve: -Working with older people to develop and design an active Older Citizens’ Forum -Challenging negative stereotypes surrounding ageing -Evaluating services The ideal candidate: We are looking for a pro-active individual with excellent people skills. Our ideal candidate will have experience of working with communities and a successful track record of developing participation and engagement. An ability to influence decisions, advocate on behalf of others and the confidence to present to audiences is also a must. Background Ageing Well Torbay is funded by the Big Lottery through its Fulfilling Lives: Ageing Better investment programme. Torbay is one of 14 areas in England selected last year to receive funding from the programme. 45% of Torbay’s population is over 50, and it is estimated that 6,000 of these residents are isolated. The causes of this isolation are varied – older people have told us they are isolated due to retirement, bereavement, low income, poor health and mobility, lack of transport, and fear of leaving the house. From work carried out by Torbay Community Development Trust and partners over the last two years, we know that there are isolated older people in every neighbourhood of Torbay. Led by Torbay Community Development Trust, the Ageing Well Brixham, Paignton and Torquay programme is seeking to counteract this through a ‘whole systems’ approach that touches where people live, their social lives, their care, and how the rest of society view them. Apply through the Torbay Community Development Trust website http://www.torbaycdt.org.uk/about-us/#job-opportunities Job title: Wellbeing Co-ordinator
Job title: Wellbeing Co-ordinator – Lead
Posts available: 1 x 37 hour post covering Torquay 1 x 18.5 hour post covering Torquay 1 x 37 hour post covering Paignton 1 x 37 hour post covering Paignton 1 x 37 hour post covering Brixham
Hours: 37
Hours: 37 and 18.15 Starting salary: £18,500 per annum See Job oppportunities on TCDT website for more information
Starting Salary: £21,600 per annum Holiday entitlement: Starting at 25 days per annum (pro rata for part time employees), plus designated bank holidays. Closing date 22nd April
Brixham Connectors Event Involved communities are happy communities. When people come together to share interests, skills and ideas magic happens. We are, by nature, sociable creatures and by forging relationships with those around us our lives are made more purposeful, more fulfilling and richer.
homemade food and donated food from Tesco in Brixham’s high street added to the sharing nature of the day! Everyone was encouraged to share wishes and dreams for themselves and for Brixham as a community and these were displayed on a wishing tree for everybody to see and be inspired by. It can sometimes be challenging and make us feel vulnerable to share our hopes with others but opening up this kind of dialogue can serve to help us all to feel more connected to one another.
“When people come together to share interests, skills and ideas magic happens.”
Modern society has pulled us away from community life and Community Builders have a vision of bringing us back. Brixham Community Builders,Victoria Campbell and Cassie Fielding, believe that Brixham is brimming with the potential to truly thrive as a community and that, together, we can realise this potential, reduce isolation and make Brixham an even happier place to live.
One of the ways we aim to achieve this is by making connections – we cannot take for granted that they will happen without some encouragement and so we hold regular Connectors Events. Connectors Events have the sole purpose of generating conversations about our community. At these events people can share their hopes for, knowledge about and attributes to contribute to the place they live in. On Saturday 13th February Victoria and Cassie held a Connectors Event at The Edge in Brixham in conjunction with The Edge’s monthly craft day. Despite the wet weather, there was a good turn out with people ranging from the ages of 3 years to 83 years old and there was a great spread of
Just a quick snapshot of the room demonstrates the richness in activity and conversation going on – people sharing recipes whilst congregating around the food; a big group of people of a wide range of ages 9and Boris the dog) packed around the pottery table allowing their creativity to flow whilst chatting about anything and everything; older ladies teaching a pair of young boys how to knit; children playing and making new friends; others milling about on sofas talking about how they want to contribute to our community goals; and a young, very shy 12 year old boy plucking up the courage to be introduced to other musicians at The Edge’s music group. A great time was had by all and we very much look forward to the next Connectors Event which we’ll let you all know about soon – as they say, watch this space! Cassie Fielding Community Builder for Brixham
IN-BRIEF - latest funding opportunities Robin Causley. Community Funding Advisor for Torbay Community Development, gives a roundup of all of the latest funding opportunities. Check our website www. torbaycdt.org.uk/funding for regular updates.
National Vegetarian Week-Small Grants Not for profit organisations or informal groups of friends,parents or students can apply for grants,mostly up to £200,for events during National Vegetarian Week(16th-22nd May 2016) which celebrate and promote vegetarianism. Deadline is 9th May. www.nationalvegetarianweek.org/ Girdlers Company Grants to charities and community amateur sports clubs of around £1,000 for provision of sailing opportunities irrespective of ability or age. Deadline 26th August,2016. www.girdlers.co.uk/html/charitable-trust/funding/ Dowager Countess Eleanor Peel Trust-General Grants The Trust awards grants to registered charities for up to £5,000 in the following areas:Medical research. Older people,Projects to help those who have fallen on hard times:disabled,hospices,ex-services,mental health,homelessness etc. Preference to support capital projects or project driven applications and not running costs.Charitable bodies primarily devoted to children are not eligible to apply.Preference for North-West of England but can apply from anywhere in UK. Next Deadline:30th April,2016. www.peeltrust.com/ BBC Children In Need Small and Large grants are available to not for profit organisations that are supporting children and young people who are 18 years and younger who are experiencing disadvantage through illness,distress,abuse or neglect.disability,behavioural or psychological difficulties,living in poverty or situations of deprivation. Small grants of up to £10,000 can support projects for one year.Main grants of over £10,000 can support projects for up to three years.No upper limit but few over £100,000 are made and most are for much less. Grants can be used for direct project costs,including salaries,volunteer expenses,building hire costs, and travel costs.Project costs can include line-management,administration,insurance and utilities. Next Deadline for Small Grants is 1st June 2016 and Main Grants is 15th May 2016. https://www.bbcchildreninneed.co.uk
69-yearold Sandra
Torbay resident posthumously awarded for three decades of volunteering An inspirational Torbay resident has been posthumously honoured in recognition of more than three decades of volunteering at a glittering awards ceremony. Sandra Dillon – who sadly passed away in November 2015 – was awarded the Lifetime Contribution accolade for her dedication to the community at Sanctuary Housing’s second Torbay Community Star Awards, an annual event marking the outstanding contributions of local people across the Bay. Much-loved Sandra started her volunteering career in the mid-
“it’s fantastic that we’re able to recognise their dedication and commitment through these awards.” 80s when she began working with Windmill Community Centre in Hele to help organise positive activities for local youngsters to get involved in. After moving on to bake sales, which helped to fund activity programmes for local people, Sandra joined the Windmill Centre Committee as one of the trustees, where she became even more involved in giving her time to the local community.
volunteered at the centre until she sadly passed away last year, devoting her time to organising a range of community activities including arranging lunches for older people who may be lonely and creating a breakfast club for local residents. Sandra’s daughter Sam Dillon, who accepted the award on her mother’s behalf, said: “We are so proud that mum has won this award. She dedicated her life to giving something back to Torbay and helping other people, and this award just underlines how much of a community-minded person she was. “Mum worked closely with staff from Sanctuary and I’d like to thank them for recognising her commitment to making Torbay a great place to live, it really means so much.” There were a host of other winners on the night, which took place last Friday at the historic Palace Hotel in Torquay, who had their hard work celebrated across an additional six categories: Neighbourhood Champion, Green Fingers, Partnership,Youth Champion, Community Spirit and Sports Champion. In addition, Torbay Community Development Trust kindly sponsored this year’s new judges’ choice category of Volunteer of the Year. The Palace Hotel was also a generous sponsor of the
Awards. More than 120 residents, volunteers and group leaders came together for the event, where guests enjoyed a three course meal before being entertained by local artists The Miller Brothers and magician Dan Brazier, as well as a late night
“We are so proud that mum has won this award.” disco. A charity raffle raised over £400 with funds going to Torbay Hospital League of Friends for their Critical Care Unit Appeal. Prizes included a top-of-the-range computer tablet and a luxury hamper. Sanctuary’s neighbourhood partnerships manager for Torbay, Lynne Roberts, commented: “We work with dozens of people across the Bay who go above and beyond for their local community, and it’s fantastic that we’re able to recognise their dedication and commitment through these awards. “Over the next year we aim to invest in even more communityled programmes, projects and facilities which address the needs of our residents.”
Award winners Neighbourhood Champion Ann Whitehouse Community Spirit Catch Up Café Lifetime Contribution Sandra Dillon Sports Champion So-Fly Partnership Chelston Action Group Green Fingers Maria Hunter Youth Champion Luke Paton Torbay Community Development Trust’s Volunteer of the Year Shaun Tasker
Feature
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aignton-based charity, the Creativity Centre Educational Trust (CCET) is looking for participants for a new project in Torbay. ‘Merry Widows’ is aimed at mature women who want to get out of the house, make some new friends and get involved in a community project. It is particularly geared towards older women who might have become socially isolated through bereavement or a partner’s illness, but who would not normally be attracted to more traditional older people’s hobbies or groups. The project is completely free to join and at the first workshop everyone will be able to give their views on what would most benefit the community, agree on a project they would like to take forward together and plan next steps. There will then be a series of follow up meetings to progress and successfully deliver their chosen initiative. There are two pilots, one in Torbay and one in Totnes. Project organiser, Dr Marilyn Fryer, explains, ‘I had the idea for the Merry Widows project some years ago, but it wasn’t until the CDT began its ‘Ageing Well Torbay’ initiative that we decided to go ahead.
This was the catalyst that spurred us into action. As an older widow myself, I am tired of hearing people talk about the older generation as if we are some sort of burden, when we are actually a valuable resource. There are a lot of bright, experienced women out there whose skills are not being used. This is why we started this project. We see ourselves as part of the solution and not part of the problem. Older women have a lot to offer the community as a whole. Although we called it Merry Widows, you don’t actually have to be a widow to take part or indeed older’. So if you or someone you know would like to get involved, please contact us on 01803 527200 or email: marilyn@creativitycentre.com The Torbay project is funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation in conjunction with the South West Foundation. The Totnes and district project is funded by Sovereign Housing and the South West Foundation.
For further information, please contact: Dr Marilyn Fryer The Creativity Centre PO Box 419, Paignton, Devon,TQ4 9AZ Tel: 01803 527200 or 0845 643 1235 Mobile: 0759 007 9550 Email: marilyn@creativitycentre.com
Sat 20th- 27th Aug 10.00am – 6.00pm (last day until 4.00) FREE ENTRY
ALL PAINTINGS FOR SALE Enquiries: mklart@me.com, or heatherstafford4@gmail.com
Contact us: Torbay Community Development Trust 4-8 Temperance Street Torquay TQ2 5PU 01803 212638 info@torbaycdt.org.uk ageingwell@torbaycdt.org.uk
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