A new free-to-join community membership designed to help people connect with local clubs, organisations, events and businesses has been launched in Budleigh Salterton.
The Love Budleigh Membership, created by the Love Budleigh team at Budleigh Information Centre (BIC), was officially launched at a packed event at Budleigh Public Hall on Friday 24 July. The launch attracted residents, local businesses, charities, clubs and community organisations, with attendance exceeding expectations and the hall reaching full capacity.
The event, sponsored by the East Devon District Council Community Grant Fund, celebrated the launch of the new Love Budleigh Membership and included guest speakers, including David Reed MP, who welcomed and supported the initiative. This was followed by a complimentary community buffet and the opportunity to meet with the Love Budleigh Team and sign up to the new Membership.
Volunteers at the Budleigh Information Centre developed the idea for the Love Budleigh Membership after recognising that many people want to become more involved in community life but are often unsure where to start. Funding from the Co-op Local Community Fund helped turn the concept into reality.
The membership is free to join for anyone aged 18 or over who loves Budleigh and wants to become more involved in local life. Members will receive information about community events, activities and opportunities to meet new people, discover local clubs and societies, support local businesses and enjoy everything Budleigh has to offer.
By encouraging people to participate in organised activities together, the initiative aims to help tackle loneliness, strengthen community connections and make it easier for people to take the first step into something new.
The scheme also provides opportunities for local clubs, charities, community groups and businesses to introduce themselves to new audiences by organising events and activities for members. These could include taster sessions, talks, workshops, demonstrations, guided walks, social events or exclusive member offers.
Approved events will receive free promotion through the Love Budleigh website, the monthly Budleigh Salterton Newsletter, Love Budleigh's Facebook page and Budleigh Information Centre. In return, participating organisations are asked to provide a benefit for Love Budleigh Members, whether through exclusive events or added value at public events.
A spokesperson for Love Budleigh said:
"Budleigh has an incredible range of clubs, organisations, businesses and volunteers, but many people simply don't know what's available or feel unsure about getting involved. The Love Budleigh Membership has been created to make those connections easier, helping people discover new opportunities, make friends and become part of our thriving community."
Anyone interested in joining the Love Budleigh Membership can sign up online or collect an application form from Budleigh Information Centre.
Local organisations, clubs and businesses are invited to get involved by organising an event for Love Budleigh Members. Visit the Love Budleigh website to find out more, submit your event online, or contact the Love Budleigh team to discuss your ideas.
For more information and to view available events, visit www.lovebudleigh.co.uk/love-budleigh-membership or call into Budleigh Information Centre.

Love Budleigh would like to thank all those who attended the Love Budleigh Membership Launch Party.
Special thanks to the guest speakers who spoke about their support for the new initiative and represented just a few of the many clubs and organisations connected with our town:
Jen Mills - Shop Budleigh
Marc Jobson - Seachange
Ben Honey - Budleigh Salterton Art Club
David Reed MP
Bill McDermott - Budleigh Community Workshop
Judith Morgane - Coop (Member and Cooperative Engagement)
Martyn Evans - Budleigh Music Festival

Thanks also to caterers Mandy Butcher and Milena, and bar by Wet The Whistle.

Press release from The Almhouse Association, 15th June 2026:

The town of Budleigh Salterton celebrated a historic milestone on Tuesday 9 th June as His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester, Royal Vice-Patron of The Almshouse Association, officially opened the town's first-ever purpose-built almshouses and the first new almshouse charity established in the UK in fifty years.
The landmark development at 4 East Budleigh Road has been delivered by The
Shandford Trust, a local charity established following the 2020 closure and subsequent sale of the Shandford Residential Care Home.
Accompanied by the Deputy Lord-Lieutenant of Devon, Lee Howell OBE QFSM
FIFireE DL and Nick Phillips, CEO of The Almshouse Association, His Royal
Highness was welcomed by prominent regional and county figures. These included Gina Woodcraft, the Mayor of Budleigh Salterton and the Lord Clinton.
During the visit, The Duke went on a guided tour of the three newly completed,
highly sustainable homes. Designed to offer warmth, exceptional comfort, and very low running costs, the dwellings accommodate local single residents or couples of limited means. The Duke spent time meeting the very first residents to cross the threshold this spring, who spoke warmly about their secure new homes.
His Royal Highness was also introduced to the adjoining Seachange Community
Centre, a ground-breaking local health and wellbeing facility. This unique partnership ensures that all almshouse residents have direct access to on-call assistance and support networks provided by the neighbouring Seachange staff.
Nick Phillips, CEO, The Almshouse Association comments: “The Almshouse
Association is thrilled to welcome His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester to
officially open the first new almshouse charity in fifty years. This is particularly
significant at a time when many established almshouse charities are expanding. It is a wonderful accolade to see the community come together to establish a new
charity!
We warmly welcome The Shandford Trust into our community, marking a fantastic milestone for the modern almshouse movement. It is inspiring to see a new almshouse charity established, highlighting how this ancient model of community-led housing remains as vital and relevant today as it has ever been.
Across the UK, the benefits of almshouses for local people in housing need are
incredible. They offer safe, affordable, and truly supportive homes within vibrant,
independent communities.
However, to meet the growing housing challenges of today, we need this movement to scale up. We are actively looking for more almshouse charities to be started across the country. To achieve this, we urgently need more philanthropists to step forward with funding, and more dedicated trustees to give their time and expertise to run these vital new charities. The Shandford Trust is a brilliant example of what is possible, and we hope their success inspires others to help us build a legacy for many more communities across the UK.”
Chris Davis, Chair of The Shandford Trust said:
'The Trustees are very grateful to His Royal Highness for inaugurating Budleigh
Salterton’s first almshouses. The completion of this initial project marks only the
beginning for our local charity. Driven by our team of professional local volunteer
trustees, The Shandford Trust is already actively seeking new build or conversion
opportunities to establish more new almshouses, ensuring older generations can
remain safely within their communities for decades to come.'
Following a series of celebratory speeches with project supporters, the Budleigh
Salterton community presented His Royal Highness with a specially commissioned painting of Otter Head, beautifully captured by a local member of the Budleigh Art Club. To conclude the historic visit, His Royal Highness officially unveiled a dedicated commemorative plaque to mark the opening.