Voluntary groups need your support
AS recent Herald Express headlines and a thought-provoking leading article on 'food queues' have reminded us, these difficult times are proving particularly challenging for some members of our community.
Luckily, as we're regularly reporting, there's no shortage here in Torbay of voluntary and charity groups determined to do what they can to make life easier for those who need help.
To succeed in their task, though, these groups need our support, sometimes financially, always in terms of more volunteers.
Home-Start is a typically active and committed voluntary organisation whose aim is, as what they call an 'early-intervention service', to offer help and support to families with young children who are having a difficult time.
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We spoke recently to local organiser Sharon Clayborough and she outlined for us some of the many areas where Paignton-based Home-Start — in fact, a national organisation — can help, sometimes for short periods, sometimes over several years.
Often, she told us, it's a case of re-building people's confidence, of restoring their self-esteem, and because of this a key role for Home-Start volunteers is listening, as this can help find ways into problems that it's all too human for people to try to hide away from, or to lock into themselves.
Funding can always be a problem for voluntary organisations and for that reason Home-Start last year opened a charity shop in Paignton selling children's toys, books and clothes, as well as bric-a-brac and small items of furniture. So far, it's doing well but more support would be welcome, as would, crucially, more volunteers to join the busy existing team.
Sharon says volunteers of all ages are trained to high standard to give them, along with their own parenting experience, the necessary skills to enable them to nurture the families they work with.
To find out more, you can call Home-Start on 01803 559000 or email them at info@homestarttorbay.org
Remember, too, that for this and for lots of other volunteering opportunities, you can always contact us at CVA voliinfo@cvatorbay.org.uk or on 01803 212638.
Meanwhile, Torbay Hospital is looking for a 'befriender' in A&E and a 'mealtime companion'. To discover more, or to apply for either volunteering position, why not get in touch with us?
ANOTHER very active group offering vital support to the most vulnerable in the Bay, Brixham Does Care is a charity which attempts to combat loneliness, isolation and despair, offering support to people of all ages in Brixham and the surrounding communities. Its aim is 'to enhance people's quality of life, education, health and social welfare' and it has a cafe next to its office — where staff are always ready to help if you call in — on the first floor of the town hall building, accessible either by stairs or by lift on week days from 10am-1pm, as well as own charity shop in Middle Street.
Next month, a charity show, Memories Are Made of This in aid of Brixham Does Care, will be happening on Wednesday, October 3, at The Berry Head Hotel, 7pm for a 7.30pm start. At just £7 per ticket, there will be a raffle and variety of music and entertainment, from Pirate Kate's Belly Dancing Belles to Linda Armstrong with 'the voice of an angel'.
Call the town hall office for more information on 01803 857727.
LOOKING further ahead, Cool Recovery, founded in 1999 and dedicated to improving communication and providing information to support families and friends affected by mental health issues, is holding a 'Sun, Sea and Sanity' event for mental health carers of all ages in South Devon and Torbay at the Grosvenor Hotel, Torquay, on Tuesday, October 30.
The 'Mirror Mirror' performance group will be co-ordinating the event with its innovative style of interactive theatre that has no script and few props. People taking part will also have use of the pool, Jacuzzi and sauna, so bring your swimming costume. Call Cool House in Morgan Avenue on 01803 299511 to find out more.
BOB JOPE
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