David Thomas: Supporting Torbay through a safe and joyful Christmas

Christmas and the holiday season are, for most of us, a time to slow down and enjoy some well-earned rest from work, school or college.

It’s a chance to get together with family and friends, enjoy festive traditions, visit a pantomime, go ice skating, or simply soak up the Christmas atmosphere across the Bay.

However, the festive period can be challenging for those experiencing loneliness or financial pressure. With that in mind, I’d like to use this update to highlight some of the support available across Torbay over the coming weeks.

Thanks to Torbay’s strong tradition of community partnership working, help is available for those who need it. Many residents will already be aware of our Warm Spaces scheme, which operates at locations throughout the Bay. These venues provide a safe, welcoming place to keep warm during the winter months and also offer a chance to meet others.

We fund our community partners to host these Warm Spaces. They are free to use and provide hot drinks, and many also offer food, activities, or help with signposting to other support services. Importantly, Warm Spaces are safe and welcoming
environments.

All venues follow safeguarding and hygiene standards, and your privacy is respected, nobody will know you’ve visited one. Full details and opening times are available on our website.

Christmas can also be an expensive time of year for families and individuals. If you are struggling to afford food, there are several food banks operating across Torbay.

Please visit the Torbay Food Alliance website for opening dates and times over the festive period.

Although Christmas is very much a time to enjoy yourself and let your hair down a little, staying healthy is especially important at this time of year. Health services, particularly A&E departments, are often under increased pressure, and spending more time indoors with family and friends can increase the spread of illness.

Flu has been particularly severe this year, so simple steps such as regular handwashing, opening windows where possible, and wearing a mask if appropriate can make a real difference. If you are eligible, I would strongly encourage you to take up the offer of a flu or COVID-19 vaccination. It is also worth noting that you can still have a flu vaccination even if you are not eligible for a free one.

These typically cost between £10 and £20 and are available at most local pharmacies. For many people, Christmas and the New Year can be emotionally difficult, especially for those coping with bereavement or feeling isolated. Support is available, and you
don’t have to face things alone.

The Samaritans provide free, confidential support 24 hours a day and can be contacted on 116 123. We are also focused on keeping people safe when out and about in the evenings.

Extra taxi marshals are operating on the Victoria Parade rank every Friday and Saturday throughout December and January, in addition to existing marshals at Paignton Station and Vaughan Road in Torquay. Marshals will also be on duty on

Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Night buses will be running on the 12 and 22 routes on New Year’s Eve, helping people get home safely.

Information on taxi ranks and night buses is available via the Travel Guardian app, which now features Torbay. The app also allows users to report anti-social behaviour or harassment and to share their journey with trusted contacts. It is free to download
on Apple and Android devices.

If you are concerned about someone sleeping rough in Torbay, our team can make contact and offer help through the council and our community partners. They can be reached by emailing rsi@torbay.gov.uk. If you believe someone is in immediate
danger, please call 999. Don’t forget, you can also report rough sleeping via Streetlink or by calling 0300 500 0914. If the person is under 18, always call 999.

Finally, our website contains up-to-date information on council service opening hours, and the SWISCo website has details of any changes to bin collections over the festive period.

As we head into the festive period, I hope everyone finds time to slow down, enjoy the celebrations, and make the most of everything this season has to offer; whether that’s sharing good food, attending local events, spending time with loved ones, or
simply putting your feet up for a well-earned rest.

Christmas is a time for kindness reflection and community, and Torbay is at its best when we look out for one another.

I wish you all a restful and safe Christmas.