COMMUNITY organisations across Cornwall are on track to raise more than £7m to fund projects and ideas in their local areas thanks to support from the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth Programme, which is managed by Cornwall Council.
Some 134 organisations have been awarded £1.85m from the Good Growth Community Capacity Fund. It was set up by the Council to focus mainly on organisations that have not accessed funding before to enable them to go on and secure additional investment for their community projects.
That pump-priming cash has already led to £7.16m of additional funding being either secured by communities or pending from a variety of sources to bring their projects to fruition. They include community buildings, playing fields and sports clubs, public spaces, nature spaces and community growing and heritage projects.
Cllr Carol Mould, Cornwall Council portfolio holder for neighbourhoods, said: “The Good Growth Community Capacity Fund has been a real catalyst for community-driven projects across Cornwall and Scilly.
"By providing crucial initial support, it has empowered local organisations to bring their visions to life, resulting in significant improvements to community facilities and spaces. From revitalising village halls to creating new recreational areas, the fund has not only helped unlock millions in additional funding but has also strengthened the social fabric of our communities by fostering a sense of collaboration and shared purpose."
An example is the Polperro Big Green project, which is being led by Polperro Community Council. It is transforming an underused green space in the heart of the coastal village into a community asset and event space, with better access and new seating. The project secured a grant of almost £7,000 for architect and legal fees from the Good Growth Community Capacity Fund and went on to secure a further £115,013 of funding through the Good Growth Programme's Community Levelling Up Fund.
Laura Storey, Clerk to Polperro Community Council said: “Without the initial grant to get the project off the ground we would not have secured the funding to carry out the project, so it made a huge difference. The Big Green will be a more flexible events space in order to host a range of community activities, and the project will maximise its beautiful riverside location, adding new seating so that the community can fully enjoy the views. It will also bring added benefits to local traders, enabling them to make the most of their riverfront position.”
At Troon near Camborne an initial £2,500 Community Capacity Fund grant to cover architect fees and tender preparation helped unlock more than £640,000 to transform Troon Village Hall into a hub for social activities, educational opportunities and support services for local residents, many of whom are elderly.
The project is being led by the Troon Church Trust and is seeing the hall extended and improved by Cornish contractor Gloweth with better access, new insulation, secondary glazing and renewable heating, upgraded AV equipment to support film clubs, live music and talks, an extended kitchen, super-fast Wi-Fi and a computer suite. And the project aims to establish gardening clubs, a community orchard, and complementary clinics. Work is well underway.
The funding package includes £447,671 from the Good Growth Programme, plus £149k from the National Lottery and £45k from the Jubilee Hall Fund.
The Revd Canon Hilary Samson, Chair of Troon Church Trust said: “The £2,500 from the Community Capacity Fund was vital to getting this project going because it allowed us to develop the plans and the tender process and was the foundation for seeking further funding for the construction phase. Our community faces many challenges such as isolation and loneliness, especially among elderly residents, and this project is creating a supportive and enriching environment for everyone.”
In Millbrook in South East Cornwall, the old Millbrook Skatepark has been replaced this year with a brand new facility thanks to a £21,250 Community Capacity Fund grant which paid for surveys, design engineering drawings and project planning, helping to unlock a further £287,797 from a variety of sources.
The money has seen the old tarmac and metal ramps replaced with a brand new concrete skate park built by Maverick Skateparks which was designed in close collaboration with Millbrook Skatepark project group, taking on board input from the local community and opened in March this year.
The project's lead, Sandy Stevenson, Treasurer of Millbrook Skatepark project group, said: “At the heart of this was the real need for a community asset particularly to serve the needs of younger people, and it has certainly delivered on that count and many more besides. This wouldn't have been possible without early input from Good Growth allowing us vital funds at a crucial stage of the project.”
To find out more about Good Growth Programme, visit: ciosgoodgrowth.com