Community Matters: Following the ripples

In my last article, I spoke about empowering people to lead change in their own communities.

Today, I want to share a wonderful example — Rose’s story: Singing for Fun on Tour —there's always a solution.

Rose was a regular at Singing for Fun, our monthly music group. Having led a singing group at a local day centre for 18 years, music was in her heart. She loved finding a nearby group that rekindled that joy.

But as time passed, mobility issues made it harder for Rose to attend, and eventually, she told us she could no longer make it. A few weeks later, she called with an idea:

“I can’t come to you — what about you coming to me?”

I spoke with Joy, James, and Pat from the group, and everyone was instantly on board. We visited Rose at home with our songbooks, and with help from her daughter — who displayed the lyrics and music on screen — we took turns choosing songs and had a heartfelt singalong.

Afterwards, we enjoyed tea, biscuits, and good conversation. We stayed for two hours, and as we left, Rose’s daughter said:

“You’ve made her year!”

Since then, Singing for Fun on Tour has become a monthly tradition. Each visit brings joy, laughter, and connection — not just for Rose, but for all of us. It’s a powerful reminder that solutions often come when we listen, adapt, and support one another. Small actions can ripple into lasting change, helping to build communities where everyone feels seen, heard, and inspired.

On that note, here’s another great community-led event to look forward to:

Table Top Sale at Ellacombe Community Garden

Saturday, 20th September | 11am–2pm (weather dependent)
Come along for a friendly Table Top Sale in the beautiful Ellacombe Community Garden. Bag a bargain, enjoy homemade cake, or simply relax in this welcoming community space.

Everyone is welcome — we’d love to see you there!

If you'd like to get involved or have an idea to bring people together, I’d love to hear from you:

Usha Garrattley
Community Builder for Ellacombe & Plainmoor
07702 557723 | ✉️ ushagarrattley@torbaycdt.org.uk