Council funding helps to reduce poverty and social isolation in Exmouth

An Exmouth-based charity has seen an increase in visitors and referrals as East Devon District Council helped to expand the organisation’s services and improve its facilities.

The council, aiming to shift focus from the immediate impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and prioritise restoring community resilience, decided to use funding from the government’s Contain Outbreak Management Fund (COMF) – awarded to the Environmental Health team for local Covid-related public health initiatives – to back special projects.

One of the recipients was Open Door Exmouth, a multi-service organisation providing welcoming spaces and tailored support for people of all ages to address poverty and reduce isolation. The charity plays a crucial role in addressing many of the council’s public health priorities, including support for those facing financial hardship, mental health struggles, homelessness and social isolation.

Throughout 2024, the council’s COMF grant of nearly £14,000 helped Open Door Exmouth to:

·Extend its Community Café opening hours to include Saturdays throughout 2024.

·Furnish the Community Café to enhance comfort and flexibility.

·Support the running costs of its Parent Hub and Community Craft Room.

The funding has had a significant impact on Open Door Exmouth’s support:

·The number of weekday support service visits to the Community Café increased by 22%, including a 15% rise in visits from homeless individuals. Furthermore, Open Door Exmouth partnered with local community groups to host successful Saturday morning group breakfasts.

·Clients have responded positively to the enhanced comfort and welcoming atmosphere after the introduction of new chairs, tables (including a large community table), dining sofas, storage benches, a welcome counter, and a community fridge station in the Community Café.

·Attendance at the weekly Parent Hub, which provides activities for children, has increased by 12% (adults) and 49% (children) compared to 2023. In total, the Hub had 373 family visits, with 38 new families attending for the first time. Parents have praised the initiative, highlighting the welcoming atmosphere and helpful volunteers.

·In 2024, 562 visits were recorded to the Craft Room, a creative activities space, marking a 118% increase. Visitors experiencing health challenges, social isolation and poor mental health expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to engage in creative activities and find social connection.

Councillor Dan Ledger, Portfolio Holder Sustainable Homes and Communities, East Devon District Council, said: "We learned during the pandemic that good social health is essential for strengthening resilience and overall wellbeing. Sadly, many local families are facing growing challenges, and so we are grateful that community spaces like Open Door Exmouth are stepping in to provide much-needed support. We are proud to support their ongoing efforts to assist vulnerable members of our communities, and through this funding, we aim to make a positive impact where it's needed most."

Lisa Pike, CEO, Open Door Exmouth, added: “In total, over 2024, individual visits to the Saturday Café, Parent Hub, and Craft Room reached an impressive 2,053. We are deeply grateful for the funding received from East Devon District Council, which has enabled us to extend our services throughout 2024. One of the additional successes of this initiative has been the introduction of Saturday morning group breakfasts in partnership with local community groups, fostering greater community connections as we move into 2025 when we celebrate our 30th anniversary.”