An un-even society…

At Stepping Stones Totnes CIC more people than ever are accessing our foodbank and wellbeing services. From Nov 2023 to the end of June 2024 we supported 3008 people with the FoodBank and the TQ9 Food Club.

Does that sound crazy in what most people think of as an affluent town?
But here as in most large towns there are areas of nationally recognised deprivation and with the long-term effects of the Cost-of-Living-Crisis still being keenly felt by many retired and working people alike, we have seen our numbers rise steadily over the last 3 years. The greatest concentration of our clients live in Bridgetown, so we were delighted when St John’s Church offered us space and facilities so we could set down roots near to the majority of our clients and develop to our full potential for the benefit of everyone in the area who is feeling the pinch.

Since we made the move in January this year Stepping Stones has grown into an amazing community hub for the whole TQ9 area.
The Totnes Food Bank, (by referral), and the TQ9 Food Club, (where a membership fee of £2.50 a week entitles people living in the TQ9 area to choose up to 10 items from the shelves), both use our food store on Mondays 12:30 -7pm, and Tuesdays & Thursdays 10 – 3pm.

On those days we also run the Warm Hearts Café 12 – 2pm, which offers Ali’s delicious vegan soup, nutritious hot meals, toasted sandwiches, cakes and hot drinks. Everyone is welcome and it’s free, although we really do appreciate donations if at all possible. Since November 2023 we have served 1852 meals.

Our famous Jumblelows rummage sales have become a popular permanent rail of good quality second hand clothes (for a donation if possible).

We have a toy box to keep youngsters occupied while the grown-ups are selecting their food and we have a basket of Tough-times Teddies to take home. We also have a free Library where you can swap old stories for new adventures.

To nourish our mental wellbeing and explore our creativity in a friendly group there is “Art with Yaz” for lessons in art techniques every other Monday 12:30 – 2:30 and “Mindful Making” for arts and crafting of all sorts with Claire, every Tuesday 1-3pm. There’s no need to book, just come along and enjoy (although Yaz’s group needs a prompt start so don’t be late).
At Mindful Making you can join in the weekly activity, bring your own project or contribute to our ongoing Community Wall Hanging project. All materials are provided and all abilities welcome.

372 people have attended our groups since our move to St Johns in January. Others just come along to read, write or chat in a friendly space. We’re always looking for fresh ideas to offer our community. Recent projects have included “Fungi Friends” with a group learning about the amazing world of fungi and the practical propagation of Oyster mushrooms. Every Monday there’s a jigsaw puzzling session from 5-7pm. We’re planning a series of Hot Flush Cafés and there will be Defibrillator training on 26th September2024 10:30-12 noon, which will be free for anyone to attend.

If you have any ideas for future projects, please contact Kit, the manager, on contact@steppingstonestotnes.co.uk

We couldn’t do what we do and help who we help without the Stepping Stones team of volunteers who are our unsung heroes and give their time and skills so generously. If you’d like to join the team, please contact Kit or come along and visit us during our opening hours. Although Chris, our funding co-ordinator is always looking for grants that we might tap into, we also rely heavily on the monthly financial contributors, both individuals, companies in town like The Loft, and the parish congregations of the area’s churches, who, despite us being a secular organisation, have been our constant allies in keeping the help coming.

We get just under half of our food donated by shoppers at Morrisons, Green Life, the Happy Apple, Zappa’s, the churches, Harbertonford Post Office, Animals in Distress and a host of generous individuals and local organisations. Stepping Stones relies on help from the local authorities, businesses and individuals to help nurture our community back to strength and resilience.