Community Matters: Feeling buoyant in Brixham

As always I am proud to say there is so much going on in Brixham due to the fantastic community spirit, drive and enthusiasm that exists and thrives there! 

So much collaboration, networking and working together, to make incredible things happen.  It is very special to see.

The monumental Baton of Hope Torbay event is on Tues 30th Sept.  The Brixham community has really engaged in this, ensuring they (along with Paignton and Torquay) are at the forefront in promoting better mental health across The Bay, whilst raising awareness of the impact of suicide and helping spread messages of hope.

People should be able to talk freely and openly if they are struggling in life, should have people around them to listen and know that they are not alone.  So much is going on between 2pm and 6pm at Berry Head Visitor Centre, Shoalstone Green and The Old Fish Market, as well as all the events going on in Paignton and Torquay throughout the day too.  The baton will be leaving Princess Gardens in Torquay at 745am and being passed along 100 baton bearers along the route through Torquay, Paignton, Brixham and back across the sea to Torquay for 630pm ready for the Big Show Of Hope at the RIC at 7pm (tickets available for this).

Check out www.torbaybatonofhope.com and follow the Facebook Pages: ‘Baton of Hope UK’ and ‘Baton of Hope Torbay’ for updates on the event (or contact your local community builder for updates if not on FB or cant access the website). 

Around 100 volunteers have come forward to help out at the event and we thank them from the bottom of our hearts for this and we would love to see as many people out on the day supporting and encouraging the baton bearers along their route too – the baton will be in Brixham between 4pm and 6pm leaving from the Rugby Club, over to Berry Head, down to Shoalstone, round the Harbour, along Fore Street, Middle Street and finishing the last stretch from Old Market House to the Brixham Ferry Pontoon.  This is going to be a very special day for Torbay and all those who have been affected by suicide to remember their loved ones. 

My wonderful colleague Jess, is starting a new FREE 8 week course in Brixham at the Baptist Church Hall on the 14th Oct called Active Lives.   All about empowering YOU to maintain and improve your Health and Wellbeing.  Give her a call or email for more information and to book on 07772023170 orjessslade@torbaycdt.org.uk.  The feedback from this course is always fantastic.  It covers lots of great topics and opens up so many new doors for people to access new activities across the bay.  Courses will also be starting in Torquay on Weds 15th Oct and in Paignton on Thurs 16th Oct.

Thanks to funding support from Brixham Town Council, the brand new Festival of Arts Brixham (F.A.B) will be taking place from 20th to 25th October.  Centred around the heart of Brixham’s Cultural Quarter on Bolton Cross, F.A.B, is a collaboration between Brixham’s Museum, Theatre, Library, A Kick Up The Arts and The Music Factory CIC, to highlight, celebrate and strengthen our arts and cultural sector in Brixham. 

A week long programme of events will enable residents and visitors to discover, explore and engage with high quality and varied cultural activities delivered by Brixham’s creative community.  CREATE! PARTICIPATE! CELEBRATE! Follow FB page ‘Festival of Arts Brixham – F.A.B’ to keep up to date with details and any queries, emailfestival.arts.brixham@gmail.com

Follow ‘Brixham Future’ FB page to check out all they are doing as always for the benefit of Brixham and also more recently to support Ukraine.  They have lots of fundraising events coming up!

Finally, a massive thank you goes to Brixham Harbour Buoys, Anne Fairey pianist and the Berry Head Hotel for the fantastic cream tea afternoon they put on to support us to raise much needed funds for Torbay Communities.  It was a huge success!

Like and follow my Facebook page ‘Helen Ambler, Community Builder for Brixham’ to keep up to date with what’s happening.  Email me on:helenambler@torbaycdt.org.uk to receive my what’s on guide or call me on 07469660873 for a chat.