Totnes Town Council awarded Totnes Caring £5,000 towards their transport services in our last round of Community funding – but their story extends far beyond simply minibuses and medical drop‑offs. To understand the impact they have on Totnes, we visited their office at Follaton House and met with their interim CEO, Jasmine Marshall, who shared an inspiring look at the work they do.
Transport That Opens Doors
For many local residents, especially those with limited mobility, simply leaving the house can be a challenge. Totnes Caring’s transport service changes that. Their volunteer drivers use their own cars to take people to medical appointments, GP visits, or even just out for a social afternoon. All it takes is a phone call and an optional donation.
For bigger adventures, the Totnes Caring minibus takes groups on outings – from the Devon Steam Train to Buckfast Abbey – as well as regular weekly pickups for their activity groups. Jasmine adds:
“It can be so fun on the mini-bus, and for some people going out to these activities can be the highlight of their week.”
They run two weekly lunch clubs – one open for anyone to attend, while the Lunch and Laugh group brings together people living with dementia. The much‑loved Memory Café at the Quayside sees around 50 people each week for music, quizzes, memory games and social connection. For some attendees, these sessions aren’t just activities; they are lifelines for connection, stimulation, and joy.
And at the heart of it all? Volunteers. Jasmine grows very enthusiastic discussing their contribution:
“Without our volunteers we simply wouldn’t be able to function, whether spending time with someone who needs it, performing at the memory café or driving someone to hospital – every single one of our volunteers keeps us going. They are incredible!”
Around ten volunteers support each Memory Café session, and more than 100 volunteers contribute across the charity’s work. Whether they’re driving, befriending, collecting donations, or giving a hand at events, Totnes Caring couldn’t operate without them.
Listening to Our Community – Your Voice Matters
Totnes Caring are currently running a major survey to understand needs across Totnes and surrounding villages such as Broadhempston, Dittisham and Landscove. They know Totnes well – but they want to make sure smaller communities aren’t isolated or missing support.
They’re asking residents to complete the survey to help shape future services. Your experiences and insights will directly influence what comes next.
Totnes Caring Feedback Survey 2026 – Fill in form
Practical Help at Home
Totnes Caring also runs a home‑help service providing around 130 hours of paid support each week. This includes cleaning, form‑filling, well‑being checks and companionship – the kinds of everyday assistance that help people stay independent and comfortable in their own homes.
Well‑Being and Community Support
Their well‑being service, delivered in partnership with Teignbridge Community and Voluntary Service, offers two key forms of help:
Home visits and practical support such as benefit checks, referrals to adult social care, safety equipment (like alarms and pendants), and help with digital devices.
Home-from-hospital support, making sure people can settle safely after discharge and reducing the chance of readmission.
The befriending service sits within this team, connecting volunteers with individuals experiencing loneliness – sometimes the simple offer of conversation and company can make all the difference.
If they could gain more volunteers they would also love to expand their free home shopping service (people only pay for their groceries) making sure support reaches those that need it most. Jasmine shares: ‘This is a new service we want to grow. For those that find it difficult to leave the house and get around, it can change their whole world to have food shopping carried out for them.”
Social Prescribing: Connecting People to What Helps Them Thrive
The charity also hosts the Social Prescribing Team for South Dartmoor, Teignbridge and South Hams. Adults over 18, referred by their GP, can receive support ranging from fitness and nutrition guidance to managing low‑level anxiety, accessing support groups, or being signposted to local organisations. It’s a holistic approach: helping people find the activities, relationships and routines that support their well‑being.
We asked Jasmine what excites her most as interim CEO.
“Since I joined the organisation in September, it’s truly given me faith in what people are capable of. In our hearts, we all wish we had the chance to show more caring, and it’s fantastic to be part of an organisation that directly does just that for our community.”
Why Volunteers Make All the Difference
Totnes Caring are always seeking new volunteers – and they know everyone has something different to offer. Some give a couple of hours a week, some much more. Their first priority is discovering what each volunteer enjoys, what they can commit to, and what skills they’d like to share.
If you’ve ever thought about giving back to your community, this is a charity where your help goes directly, personally, and immediately to the people who need it. Whether you love driving, chatting, organising, or simply being around people, there’s a place for you.
