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Working to strengthen resident migrant communities, our projects revolve around themes of reducing social isolation, inequalities and poverty and improving mental and physical health, and financial and social inclusion.

Established in April 2008, the Strand Community Trust runs the Strand Centre, which is a safe and friendly community centre and community cafe. The Strand Community Trust aims to serve the people of Dawlish through providing a warm and welcoming space throughout the week, affordable refreshments, and a range of social events and activities. The Strand Centre is a large community centre on the main high street in Dawlish, and so footfall is high and even people who are new to the town quickly come in contact with us. We are a hub for various services and community activities and we have a significant volunteer team, who are engaging and responsive to the needs of our clients. We have a total of 22 volunteers, working for the Centre and in the Inspire Cafe. The Centre regularly supports the immediate needs of homeless and insecurely housed people (meals, hot drinks, warm space, thermal clothing and bedding materials) and a former Social Service worker provides advice on a whole range of issues. We host regular clinics for people who wish to seek support and have volunteers who can assist with claiming benefits and signposting to other agencies. The Strand Centre hosts a food bank with the total number of households or individuals supported by the foodbank increasing year on year (from a total of 20 last year to 30 this year). With the rise in living costs, we expect the numbers to continue and increase further in the coming months. We have 5 homeless or precariously housed individuals currently supported by the food bank every week, and we have seen an increasing number of additional homeless people coming to the Centre for help, compared to last year. The Strand Centre is well known within the community for supporting homeless people, and the homeless community spread the message via word-of-mouth, as well as via referrals from other people and agencies. The Centre hosts a range of community groups, activities and events throughout the week and we engage more than 1000 people annually. We now regularly sell out events on Saturday evenings, such as concerts, discos and themed events (e.g. for Burn's Night, St Patrick's Day), and which typically include a meal. A key driver for us is to make these events as affordable and inclusive as possible and we offer free tickets to those who would otherwise be unable to attend.

The Avon Centre was founded by Stella Saywell, one of the first physiotherapists that were involved in therapeutic riding even before the formation of the Riding for the Disabled Association in 1969.  Therapeutic Riding  For more than forty years, the Avon RDA (Riding for the Disabled Association) Group has provided therapeutic riding for children and adults with a wide range of disabilities and impairments, visible and invisible. We aim to improve lives by focussing on the health and wellbeing benefits of bringing people and horses together. The Avon RDA Group is one of the larger groups in the UK with a large indoor arena, an outdoor arena, a mechanical horse simulator and almost 100 acres of fields and woods. The RDA Group provides therapeutic riding for almost 100 people every week, who benefit from a carefully structured programme of riding sessions. We offer riding for people living with disabilities and impairments, including physical and learning disabilities, sensory impairments, long-term health conditions, and neurodiversity. The minimum age for riding is 4 ½; there is no upper age limit. Participants may self-refer or be referred by educational providers, medical professionals or other specialists. Our riding programme improves mobility, boosts physical health and mental wellbeing, builds confidence and teaches new skills. Simply sitting up straight on a moving horse or pony provides physiotherapy response and core strengthening. Improved core strength means better balance and improved mobility in everyday life. Horses and ponies are natural therapists, they are non-judgemental with huge empathy. They can give riders ·        access to the outdoors and nature across our extensive estate. ·        the opportunity to learn a skill and take part in a physical activity ·        resilience and confidence. This is all made possible by our small staff team, dedicated arena volunteers, experienced and qualified coaches, and specially selected and trained horses and ponies in a friendly, understanding and accepting environment. Commercial Riding Avon Riding Club provides lessons for riders age 7 and above. We have an indoor and outdoor school, a full set of show jumps and extensive hacking.  Group lessons have a maximum of 6 riders. We have a full size simulator to work on specific areas of improvement. By riding through Avon Riding Club, you not only gain the benefits of lessons with BHS accredited coaches but you support the Charitable work of the Avon Centre. We welcome enquiries from anyone who would like to know more about our work.  Shetland Therapy During the Covid pandemic The Avon Centre developed a new, non-ridden, Wellbeing activity working with a small team of rescue Shetland ponies to support people's emotional health. This allows people access not o