Community matters: Make a difference in 2025

Happy New Year from the Community Builders across the bay.

Did you make any resolutions? 

For me the start of the new year offers the chance to reflect on how the previous year has gone and to think of things that I would like to do differently next year.  There is always the obvious, I should eat healthier and exercise more, but this year I also asked myself if I am spending enough time on the things that are important to me.  I took the time to reflect on the things that are important to me, not just the things that make me happy, but also those that fit with the way I want to lead my life, the person that I want to be.

Do you do the same?

Maybe some of the things that you thought about include getting out more, meeting new people, starting that hobby you have always wanted to do, or getting involved with improving the area that you live in. But where do you start?

Or maybe you have some space in your life to volunteer, to make a difference in someone’s life.  According to the World Health Organisation “Social isolation and loneliness are widespread, with an estimated one in four older people experiencing social isolation and between five and 15 per cent of adolescents experiencing loneliness. A large body of research shows that social isolation and loneliness have a serious impact on physical and mental health, quality of life, and longevity. The effect of social isolation and loneliness on mortality is comparable to that of other well-established risk factors such as smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity.”  Can you spare an hour a week to help someone who is feeling alone and isolated, maybe stuck in their house due to poor health?

As I write this, we have just had a yellow warning of snow, this means that more people will be struggling to stay warm. Is there someone on your street you could check on? A homeless person you pass regularly that you could buy a hot drink?

There are so many ways that we can get involved in our local communities, but often knowing where to start is hard. So, your first step could be to get in touch with your local community builder. Each area of Torquay is covered by a Community Builder. My area is the Willows, and I can be contacted on 07548 704876 or by email bethupham@torbaycdt.org.uk   If you contact me, I can put you in touch with the right person for your area. Alternatively, you can find the right person on our website https://www.torbaycommunities.com/builders/

If you want to come and meet me for a chat, I can be found in the Willow Tree Pub every Monday afternoon.