Outreaching hands of the Friends

The Friends of Factory Row were set up in 1995 to support the work of the hostel in central Torquay.

The community has always wanted to show support for its work to reduce rough sleeping across South Devon and the Friends have provided an effective route for giving. It has never had any overheads or admin costs. All money donated has gone straight to fulfilling the needs of rough sleepers and those living in the hostel. From its beginnings it has been a very local charity

Occasional large donations and bequests have boosted funds. 

Current fundraising runs at under £7,000 a year, but it’s enough to make a huge differences for those on the streets or just coming into the hostel. The Friends work especially hard to help residents of the hostel move on into flats and bedsits – one of the moments of greatest jeopardy for vulnerable people seeking to rebuild their lives.

Over the years the Friends have had to speak up in defence of the hostel and its work in the resort. Many people are hostile to rough sleepers and want police to enforce their removal from town centre and seafront areas. The Friends have advocated for the rights of those on the streets and for the importance of the hostel in helping to solve the crisis. In November 2023 the annual rough sleeper count in Torbay totalled 27, a big leap on the previous year, and that was just a snapshot on one night.

With the housing crisis deepening that figure is bound to increase.

Outreaching hands of the Friends

The Friends of Factory Row were set up in 1995 to support the work of the hostel in central Torquay.

The community has always wanted to show support for its work to reduce rough sleeping across South Devon and the Friends have provided an effective route for giving. It has never had any overheads or admin costs. All money donated has gone straight to fulfilling the needs of rough sleepers and those living in the hostel. From its beginnings it has been a very local charity

Occasional large donations and bequests have boosted funds. Current fundraising runs at under £7,000 a year, but it’s enough to make a huge differences for those on the streets or just coming into the hostel. The Friends work especially hard to help residents of the hostel move on into flats and bedsits – one of the moments of greatest jeopardy for vulnerable people seeking to rebuild their lives.

Over the years the Friends have had to speak up in defence of the hostel and its work in the resort. Many people are hostile to rough sleepers and want police to enforce their removal from town centre and seafront areas. The Friends have advocated for the rights of those on the streets and for the importance of the hostel in helping to solve the crisis. In November 2023 the annual rough sleeper count in Torbay totalled 27, a big leap on the previous year, and that was just a snapshot on one night.

With the housing crisis deepening that figure is bound to increase.