Changes at Torbay's homeless hostel

Torbay’s homeless hostel is undergoing improvements to make life better for its residents and the local community.

Torbay Council took over the running of the Leonard Stocks Centre in February 2023 and purchased the building in November last year.

Since then, there have been various changes. Residents must observe specific times for staying in the hostel and their rooms at night and there are strict rules against anti-social behaviour and loitering.

Hostel staff liaise more closely with the CCTV and security teams to monitor behaviour and security officers are on site during specific hours.

There’s also regular contact with the anti-social behaviour officers to manage and enforce rules.

There has also been a reduction in the length of stay of hostel residents – down from 506 days in February 2023 to 269 days in February 2025.

Recovery workers from the Drug and Alcohol service are at the hostel five days a week – this was previously three days a week. Engagement with the on-site drug and alcohol team is a condition of residency.

And there are people who work specifically with women requiring additional support. There are also smoking clinics, a foot care clinic and acupuncture available.

Councillor Hayley Tranter, Torbay Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult and Community Services, Public Health and Inequalities, said: “We’re working with partners to look at some of the challenges to see how we can create new and innovative initiatives so we can better support individuals in the hostel and surrounding areas with their recovery.

“Since taking over the building’s lease, we’re already making some of those changes. Hostel staff, our CCTV and security teams and ASB teams are working much more closely together and the hostel’s relationship with the police has improved too.

“It’s important to remember that most issues in and around Factory Row are not caused by residents of Leonard Stocks.”

The upgrades come as the Friends of Factory Row, which supports the centre’s residents, marks 30 years since it began its fundraising efforts.

One of the more innovative ways that hostel staff are supporting residents is by taking them out of the town centre.

Every Wednesday, workers take people to the beach for a swimming session, an activity run by Healthscape. The Friends have paid for towels, wetsuits and hot water bottles.

The funds have also paid for sailing and fishing trips for the residents.

Nick Pannell, Chairman of the Friends, said: “We fund a lunch club, games evenings, welcome packs for new residents, meal deliveries and move-on grants for when people are ready to move out. Our donations come from individuals and churches.

“The welcome packs contain basic kitchen items and toiletries as well as a welcome card. They’re little enhancements but they improve the quality of life for people.

“The move-on grants fund larger items like bedding and small kitchen appliances – they help people feel at home and that they have a stake in their new home. It helps their transition from the hostel to their own accommodation. If you have something, you are more likely to take care of it. The aim is to build people’s self-worth.”

The Friends group, which raises around £5,000 a year, has more than 100 members but on average, there are 12 or so regular volunteers.