David Thomas: Getting Torbay moving - in body and in spirit

March is here, the days are getting longer and there’s lots going on here in Torbay that you can get involved with.

Throughout March we are encouraging local people to take part in the Torbay On The Move Active Workplace Challenge, a free, fun and motivational month-long activity challenge running until March 30.

This year, for the first time, I have personally signed up to the Torbay on the Move Active Workplace Challenge. I’ll admit, I surprised myself, and even more surprisingly, I’m actually looking forward to getting started. 

I’ve even begun parking a little further out of town and walking in, so if you happen to see me striding along the street, please don’t feel the need to offer me a lift. I’m not lost, I’m simply getting my steps in.

I’ve set myself a daily goal of 10,000 steps. For me, that is very much a stretch challenge. 

Looking back at my step history, a typical day can be anywhere between 3,000 and 5,000 steps. However, with the encouragement (and persistence!) of councillor Lewis, we have been putting in some practice this week to increase our totals. We’re not quite at 10,000 yet, but we’re heading firmly in the right direction and March is going to be a challenge in its own right.

There is already a real buzz around Torbay on the Move. Many colleagues have signed up, and there is plenty of camaraderie and good-natured banter travelling the corridors of the Town Hall. 

Whether that spirit of competition will still be quite so cheerful after week one remains to be seen; but the important thing is that people are getting involved and getting active together.

If you are over 18 and work in Torbay, this is your chance to step, wheel, run, cycle or move in any way you choose, while boosting your wellbeing and enjoying a friendly dose of competition.

Taking part is about far more than step counts. It’s about improving wellbeing, enjoying the outdoors, building healthy habits and supporting one another to lead more active lives.

And it’s not too late to join in. If you would like to take part, you can register via the Active Devon website.

Staying active and looking after our wellbeing is one way we strengthen our community; but building a healthy and supportive Torbay goes far beyond physical activity. 

It is also about how we care for one another, particularly the most vulnerable children and young people in our community. That is why, alongside initiatives that improve wellbeing, we continue to focus on something equally important, ensuring that children who cannot live with their birth families can grow up in safe, stable and loving homes here in Torbay.

We are always in need of more foster carers and adopters for children in our care. This month, we are working with the national charity New Family Social and the regional partnership Fostering South West, a collaboration of 15 local councils including Torbay to support LGBTQ+ Adoption and Fostering Week and encourage more people to come forward.

Drop-in events will be taking place throughout March, offering an opportunity to come along for a coffee and an informal chat if you are interested in fostering.

We are proud to have a diverse range of families who foster and adopt in Torbay. This week is a reminder that you can foster or adopt whatever your background, gender or sexual orientation. You can also foster if you are single, provided you have stable accommodation.

Providing a safe, stable and loving home is one of the greatest gifts you can give a child — and many of our local carers describe fostering not only as rewarding, but a privilege.

Foster carers in Torbay receive comprehensive training and support, a dedicated social worker, mentoring from experienced carers, and access to a strong local support network and family events throughout the year.

To find out more you can attend a drop-in session, contact the Fostering Service on 01803 207849 or email fostering@torbay.gov.uk. More details as always on the website www.torbay.gov.uk/fostering.