Welcome to the website of Dawlish Community Trust (DCT)

Improving the quality of life for residents and visitors

'Improving the quality of life for residents and visitors' was a broad category of objectives, mainly in support of existing groups. First there was the need to identify the detailed circumstances and needs of each existing organisation. This work is ongoing. The original proposal was:

(Q1) Form a Community 'Umbrella' organisation (DCT Action)

Purpose of the project: To increase the social, leisure and educational benefits to the Dawlish community from the activities of the community and voluntary sector. This will be achieved by improving the performance of third sector organisations in Dawlish and enhancing the contribution that their activities make to the quality of life of residents and visitors to the area.

DCT will take the lead in working with existing community and voluntary organisations in Dawlish to create a community 'umbrella' organisation which will oversee all community work and act as a central hub for all community and voluntary activities. The umbrella organisation will also deliver broadly based support for the projects to create a new community centre, youth centre and skate park in Dawlish, and the drive to develop affordable housing.

Champion: Dawlish Community Trust

(Q2) Provide better information on community events (Influence)

Purpose of the project: To increase the social, leisure and education benefits for the Dawlish community from the activities of the community and voluntary sector by increasing the level of attendance at existing community venues and events.

A questionnaire has produced information on the most pressing concerns of voluntary groups and indicated that publicity and information are high priorities. DCT is exploring the prospect of information boards and a website to give current information to identify the number and nature of existing venues and events in the Dawlish area. DCT will work with TDC and local community organisations to produce a list of existing venues and events and to make this information available in brochure form or on the DCT, DTC and District Council web sites.

Champion: Teignbridge District Council

(Q3) Provide new allotments for Dawlish (Support)

Purpose of the project: To ensure that all of those Dawlish residents who wish to enjoy the benefits of growing their own produce and flowers can do so.

DCT supported DTC in the acquisition of an additional acre of land within the town to create a further 30 allotments for local people to satisfy those people on the Town Council's waiting list for allotments. Allotments at Brown's Brook were brought into use during the late summer 2007.

Champion: Dawlish Town Council

(Q4) Create a new Youth Centre and skate park for Dawlish (Support)

Purpose of the project: To encourage more young people in Dawlish to enjoy their leisure time through taking part in a wide range of activities in a properly designed and managed new youth centre and skate park.

DCT supports Dawlish Action for Youth's efforts to build a new youth centre and skate park for the young people in Dawlish. Devon County Council's Youth Service has approved a contribution of £175,000 towards the cost of this project, TDC has allocated a site at Sandy Lane and DTC have confirmed financial support towards the capital cost.

Champion: Dawlish Action for Youth

(Q5) Develop a new community centre for Dawlish (Influence)

Purpose of the project: To increase the social, leisure and educational benefits to the Dawlish community by developing a new centre for community use from which the community and voluntary sector can also operate to improve their performance.

DCT is working with TDC, the Council for Voluntary Services (CVS) and the community and voluntary organisations in Dawlish to determine the level of demand for a new community facility in Dawlish. This will identify the number, type and performance of existing community facilities in the town and the needs of community groups in Dawlish.

Champion: Teignbridge District Council

(Q6) Encourage a wider spectrum of events for all age groups (Support)

Purpose of the project: To increase attendance at events in Dawlish and Dawlish Warren by developing a more effective way of communicating the availability of these events to the public particularly to young people.

DCT will work with TDC, Dawlish Warren Tourism Group, voluntary organisations and venues in the area to identify events currently available in Dawlish and Dawlish Warren, to develop more effective ways of publicising them - particularly to young people -and to identify any opportunities to introduce new events into those areas where provision is lacking.

Champion: Teignbridge District Council

(Q7) Expand Churchill Avenue Community Centre (Support)

Purpose of the project: To enable local residents to enjoy increased leisure and educational benefits by expanding the facilities at Churchill Avenue Community Centre.

DCT supports the efforts being made by TCA to improve the existing facilities at Churchill Avenue Community Centre.

Champion: Teignmouth Community Association

(Q8) Reduce the level of crime (Support)

Purpose of the project: To reduce the fear and incidence of crime in the Dawlish Community.

DCT supports the efforts being made by Devon and Cornwall Constabulary to increase police presence in Dawlish, particularly on Friday and Saturday evenings through the recruitment of community support officers, and to undertake more police visits to schools to develop good relationships with young people

Champion: Devon and Cornwall Constabulary

(Q9) Improve sports facilities in the area (Support)

Purpose of the project: To increase the social, health and leisure and educational benefits to the Dawlish community by increasing the participation of local people in sports activities by improving existing facilities and creating high quality and affordable additional facilities.

DCT will work with TDC to improve such facilities as the all weather courts for tennis, football and to look at the provision of further facilities, e.g. squash courts and gym, at the Dawlish Leisure Centre. DCT will encourage the Council to consider opening the putting area at Tuck's Plot from Easter each year.

Champion: Teignbridge District Council

(Q10) Extend use of the Shaftesbury Theatre (Support)

Purpose of the project: To increase the benefits that the Shaftesbury Theatre brings to the community by increasing the audiences and the number of activities taking place - especially youth drama.

DCT will work with the Dawlish Repertory Company to increase the usage and scope of the theatre's activities by increasing the number of events attracting larger audiences and encouraging youth activities in the theatre.

Champion: Dawlish Repertory Company

(Q11) Increase the level of recycling (Support)

Purpose of the project: To increase the level of recycling in the Plan area.

DCT will encourage TDC to evaluate its recycling performance and to identify and implement ways to increase its effectiveness and remain one of the top ten recycling districts in the UK.