We have awarded local groups a share of £500,000 to deliver a cross-section of advice and help on a range of matters.

The organisations represent a range of interests and are spread throughout the Bay, ensuring that people of all ages and backgrounds receive support.

Eight groups will benefit from the funding but there will be more involved overall as most of the organisations will be working with partners.

The funding has come from the Adult Social Care precept as part of the council’s response to helping people through this challenging time.

We set up the Voluntary and Community Sector Procurement Alliance last year to decide how the money should be spent, ensuring the investment has wide support and is transformative.

It reached a clear agreement that it wanted to focus work on responding urgently to the cost-of-living challenges for Torbay residents in a targeted way.

Organisations

The organisations to benefit are:

Hele Village Community Association

• Will advise on benefits, housing, help with applications, support for appeals and tribunals and advocacy for medical appointments
• It will work with Torbay Advice Network, Riviera Life Church, Great Parks Community Centre, Crafty Fox, Paignton Library Hub/Healthwatch and Sanctuary Housing

Exeter Community Energy (working in Torbay)

• Will tackle fuel poverty by offering expert advice and support to households with money and debt problems related to the high cost of energy.
• It will link in with several partners to set up a Torbay Energy Partnership to help households make energy-efficiency improvements

Torbay Community Development Trust

• Will increase capacity of the Torbay Community Helpline to reduce referrals to partners
• It will work with What’s Your problem CIC, Shekinah Mission, and Homemaker Southwest to enhance its response following a steep rise in call volumes

Turning Heads

• Will offer money management advice, help with online applications, and specialised support for the learning disabled community

A balance of funding will go to Age UK, Brixham Does Care, I Can Do That! and Riviera Link.

Councillor Jackie Stockman, Cabinet Member for Adults and Public Health, said: “These awards show the good that can be achieved when local organisations collaborate and pool their expertise.

“The allocation ensures all three of our towns receive support and that all people are helped, whatever their background, and whatever their circumstances. There is help for a range of issues, whether it’s tips on how to keep your home warm, money management advice or assistance filling out benefit application forms.”

Councillor Steve Darling, Leader of Torbay Council, said: “Our voluntary sector partners are already doing an excellent job supporting residents through these challenging times, but this funding will allow them to enhance and extend what they’re already doing.

“This funding complements the support we’ve provided separately through other schemes in recent months, including warm spaces, food banks and food clubs.”

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