Centre offering skills and a 'sense of belonging'

Teignbridge Community Project provides day care services for adults

A new community-run day centre in Devon is helping adults with complex needs "discover new skills as well as a sense of belonging".

Teignbridge Community Project in Newton Abbot is the only place in the district providing day care services for adults and young people with learning difficulties.

The centre, which has a contract to provide services on behalf of Devon County Council, offers activities including baking, arts, crafts and technology for people aged between 11 and 70.

Managing director and founder Anna Lofthouse said the centre not only offered "meaningful activities and routine" but also "connection, purpose, and a real sense of belonging".

Managing director and founder Anna Lofthouse said the centre was a "joyous place"

Ms Lofthouse said the centre had been designed to support adults with additional needs, including learning disabilities and autism.

"With stretched care services across Devon, this is a much-needed provision, giving people not only meaningful activities and routine, but also connection, purpose, and a real sense of belonging.

"It's going well and it's a very joyous place, but we could do with a few more people knowing about us and seeing what we do."

Client Shannon, 26, has been with the project since it opened in 2024.

"I love coming here because I like to do arts and crafts, cooking, woodwork and helping people," she said.

Shannon used to attend the No Limits cafe in the town, which helped support people with additional needs, but it closed in March.

Shannon's mum Janet said the project had been life-changing for them both.

"I was occupying her all the time and Shannon was going deeper and deeper into depression," she said.

"So when this became available shortly after - bang - it's absolutely changed that girl's personality.

"She's more confident and I think a lot of these people that come up here you can see them change."

'Big pair of arms'

Newton Abbot county councillor Jacqueline Fry has awarded the project a grant for publicity.

She said the project was "like a great big pair of arms that just come round and hug you" but needed more people to use it.

"We need to get the name out there so that people know where they are, how to get here and all about what they do, because they do amazing things."

Ms Lofthouse said the project was run by a Community Interest Company and included many volunteers who also benefited from being involved.

"We've seen the power of community through our volunteers," she said.

"One lovely woman who recently moved to the area started helping out just a couple of hours a week – now she's with us several days, attends our social events and her confidence has grown beyond recognition."