Alcohol Help

Staff in shops across Torbay have been praised for their vigilance by refusing to sell alcohol to customers under the age of 18.

In a recent test purchase operation, officers from Torbay Council’s Licensing and Public Protection Team visited 10 shops and asked underage volunteers to try to buy alcohol. These volunteers are picked to look underage, so there should be no excuses for failing the test purchase.

Torbay Council is pleased to announce that on each occasion, staff in the premises asked for proof of age and refused to serve the underage customers.

Cllr Robert Excell, Executive Lead for Safer Communities and Transport, said: “These results are very encouraging. I commend staff who demonstrated that they are fully aware of their legal responsibilities.

“However, it is important that we continue to combat underage drinking. Similar operations at pubs and clubs will be planned in the near future to ensure that the premises are complying with the law, and we will take action if anyone does sell alcohol to underage customers.”

Environmental Health Manager Steve Cox said: “All licensed premises must now have in place an Age Verification Policy which instructs staff to ask for proof of age from any customer buying alcohol who looks either under 21 or under 25, depending on the company’s policy.

“Torbay Council has a CD Rom entitled ‘No Proof of Age – No Sale’ which contains training and support materials for any business which sells age restricted goods. To obtain a copy please contact Trading Standards by phoning 01803 208038 or by emailing trading.standards@torbay.gov.uk.

“If anyone has reason to believe that a business may be selling age restricted products such as alcohol or tobacco products to young people, they should telephone Consumer Direct on 08454 040506.”

Torbay Council
Town Hall
Castle Circus
Torquay
Devon
TQ1 3DR
01803 201 201

Vanehill Specialist Care Home: Torquay
Alcohol past & present support services

About us:

Vane Hill is registered to provide accommodation and care for a maximum of thirty-two people who are in the registration category of past or present alcohol dependence and are over 40 years of age. In exceptional circumstances, people between the ages of 18 and 39 may be admitted, if it can be shown that their assessed needs can be properly met. We do not provide a service for people who continue to abuse alcohol.

Vane Hill comprises two fine Victorian residences adjacent to each other, set above the harbour and boasting stunning views of Torbay. The home is situated in a quiet residential area at the end of a cul-de-sac. Meadfoot Beach, Beacon Cove and the town centre are all within walking distance.
Support

We have been providing specialist residential care for people living with alcohol related brain damage such as Korsakoff’s syndrome at Vane Hill for almost 20 years. The staff team at Vane Hill is experienced in supporting new residents in poor states of health. The support we provide aims to improve residents’ physical and mental health from the outset. We help the residents to regain skills and interests they had earlier in their lives. Independence, dignity and self esteem can all be improved upon by supporting the residents in undertaking daily living tasks around the home and maintaining good standards of personal hygiene. Our residents can grow food in Vane Hill’s allotment style garden and then prepare and cook the produce in our kitchens. Parties of residents enjoy taking part in regular outings; the fresh air and walking on Dartmoor is a particular favourite. Holidays for the residents away from the home have been successfully run for many years to areas such as the North Devon Coast.

Vanehill aims to provide a total range of care in collaboration with all appropriate agencies, to meet the overall personal and healthcare needs and preferences of its residents. The care provided is based on the thorough assessment of clients’ needs and the systematic and continuous planning of care for each resident.

Vanehill ensures residents with Korsakoff’s Syndrome (short term memory loss) are accommodated in a shared room so that they cannot sink into themselves and go deeper into the progression of Korsakoff’s.

Vanehill will exclude clients: whose main needs require physical care. This may include wheelchair users or people with health or mobility problems.

All applications must be accompanied by a comprehensive assessment of need, which states the reasons for the referral or application and the specific services sought. Assessments are usually multi-disciplinary and are submitted by the local authority care manager. They include a financial assessment, which will determine any funding to which an applicant may be entitled.

When people move into Vanehill they have a chance to decide if it is suitable for them. The first month provides an opportunity for staff to get to know the client and their family and to identify the basis of any continuing plan of care.

Vanehill can provide telephone interviews, prison assessments and opportunities to meet current residents.

Contact Details:

Vanehill Specialist Care Home
15/72 Vane Hill Road
Torquay
Devon
TQ1 2BZ

Telephone: 01803 214 916