A friend, a journalist based in Europe and Asia, read a post I wrote about “Quirky Totnes.” In an email, the journalist asked about Totnes (Devon, UK).
“I am curious: How do the working class — those clearing garbage and gutters, those needing child support and having to pay extra £1 for oat milk — live in this idyllic town?
“Is there a space in Totnes for “migrants” (not ex-pats)?”
I engaged in research. This is what I found. There are around 150 plus charities in and near Totnes (population 9800) regarding matters of concern locally and at the global level.
For a small town, research reveals Totnes citizens have a deep social conscience reflecting important initiatives.
A view of Totnes from the Sharpham Estate along the River Dart.
12 Examples of Totnes’s Engagement to End Suffering
Research reveals Figures and Actions to give support to those in need within the Totnes area and rest of the world.
1. An informative 22-page PDF on the social fabric of Totnes covering a wide range of issues. Well worth a read. Here is an example from the PDF.
Facts & Figures: Totnes
IMD (Index of Multiple Deprivation) ranking: 4316 out of 12382
Working age poverty: 12.8%
No qualifications: 17.7%
Social housing: 19.9%
Lone parents: 32.4%
Ethnic diversity: 7.6%
Unemployed men: 4.2%
Unemployed women: 3.3%
https://devoncf.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Totnes-PAL.pdf
2. List of more than 150 charities in and near Totnes engaged in precious service in countless ways.
https://www.totalgiving.co.uk/charity-directory/devon/totnes?char=g
3. To Support Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Totnes and surrounding areas
https://beyondborderstotnes.org.uk/
4. A Charity to enable people to live independently amidst their local community
https://www.totnescaring.org.uk/
5. Hands Up. A project and campaign to support men, women and children in Gaza.
https://www.handsupproject.org/hup-calendar-of-events/gigforgaza
6. Campaigns to support Gaza through actions, vigils, meetings.
https://totnesfriendsofpalestine.org/
7. To give support to those experiencing locally food poverty. Organisations, charities, public and private sector. Cooperate.
https://www.sustainweb.org/foodpower/map/totnes_food_poverty_alliance/
8. Totnes Climate Hub provides advice to local citizens on green energy, sustainable living and fuel poverty, with support for community building.
https://totnesclimatehub.info/our-future-visions/community
9. To create a food action plan for Totnes with co-operation with organisations with a similar vision, including Transition Town Totnes.
10. Totnes Community Food Club. To give practical support and other services to help those experiencing hardship due to cost of living.
11. Two Oxfam shops in Totnes. Oxfam is a global movement to end poverty, whether through wars, climate change, inequality and more.
https://www.oxfam.org.uk/shops/oxfam-shop-totnes/
12. Transition Town Totnes. Transition is about change, resilience and adaptation in an increasingly hostile world. Launched in Totnes in 2006, there are more than 2000 communities involved in Transition initiatives in over 50 countries.
https://www.transitiontowntotnes.org/
MAY ALL BEINGS LIVE IN PEACE
MAY ALL BEINGS LIVE IN HARMONY
MAY ALL BEINGS LIVE IN PEACE AND HARMONY