Boost Your Project with Cornwall Council’s +Extra Funding

by Tom Wood | Sep 12, 2024 | Stories

Cornwall Council has teamed up with Crowdfunder to offer three fantastic funding opportunities for local projects that meet specific community, social, environmental, and economic goals.

Through the Council’s partnership with Crowdfunder’s +Extra Funding initiative, local projects can receive match funding to help bring their ideas to life. Whether you’re working to reduce isolation, tackle climate change, or enhance your local community, there’s a fund for you. Here’s a quick overview of the three funds currently available:

Cornwall Social Inclusion Fund: Offering up to £5,000 to projects that aim to reduce loneliness and isolation among adults in Cornwall. This fund supports initiatives that connect people to their local communities, improve mental health, and promote well-being.
Cornwall Climate and Nature Fund: This fund provides up to £5,000 (with potential for up to £15,000 for exceptional projects) to projects that address climate change and promote nature recovery. The fund backs initiatives that reduce carbon emissions, create renewable energy opportunities, or enhance local biodiversity through nature-based solutions.
Cornwall Council Community Chest Fund: Each Cornwall Councillor has a small grant fund, with up to £1,000 available for local projects that improve community resilience and support vulnerable people. From improving community facilities to supporting public events, this fund empowers grassroots groups and individuals to make a positive impact.

Each of these funds provides vital support to local projects, helping them secure the funding they need to reach their goals and make a lasting difference in Cornwall. If you’re working on a project that fits the criteria, now is the time to take advantage of this opportunity and join the growing number of successful initiatives that have benefited from Cornwall Council’s support. Here’s a small selection of projects that have received +Extra funding from these funds.

Sennen Cove Recreation Centre Rebuild Project

The Sennen Cove Recreation Centre, a crucial facility for the coastal community, was originally established as a space for local groups and individuals to gather, exercise, and participate in various activities. Over time, the centre’s condition deteriorated, limiting its potential to serve the community effectively. The Rebuild Project was launched to restore and upgrade the facility, with a focus on creating a sustainable, energy-efficient building that could meet modern needs while reducing environmental impact.

The project successfully raised over £26,000 from 144 supporters, bolstered by £5,000 from the Cornwall Climate and Nature Fund and an additional £500 from the Cornwall Council Community Chest Fund. These funds helped improve the building’s energy efficiency and overall sustainability, aligning with Cornwall’s climate action goals, while also enhancing the centre’s role as a gathering place for the community. With these resources, the project is transforming the centre into a vibrant, affordable, and eco-friendly space, benefiting people of all ages and ensuring its lasting impact for future generations.

Lifesaving Hub for Young Women in Cornwall

The Lifesaving Hub, a project created by Georgia’s Voice, was launched to provide vital mental health support for young women in Cornwall. In response to the rising suicide rates among women under 24, the hub offers a safe space where women can access emotional support, build connections, and learn new skills to improve their mental well-being. The hub is based in Pool, Cornwall, and will also be sustained by a café called “The Village Kitchen,” which aims to fund the ongoing operation of the hub.

The project raised over 124% of its funding target, gathering over £37,000 from 247 supporters, with significant backing from the Cornwall Social Inclusion Fund and additional support from the Cornwall Council Community Chest Fund. The space is designed to offer a welcoming environment where young women can come together, find their “village,” and receive life-saving support, ensuring no one has to struggle alone.

Loveland Community Field Project

Loveland, part of the Falmouth Food Co-op, is a community-driven initiative focused on growing food, nurturing biodiversity, and building a sustainable future for local communities. Situated in Penryn, Cornwall, this eight-acre field has been transformed into a vibrant community space where volunteers grow food, plant trees, and create habitats for wildlife. The project also offers hands-on learning through workshops, volunteer days, and social prescribing sessions, all aimed at promoting community well-being and environmental sustainability.

The project successfully raised over £46,000 from 247 supporters through its Crowdfunder campaign, with significant backing from the Cornwall Climate and Nature Fund. These funds will be used to install renewable electricity, create an irrigation system, and build accessible tracks, ensuring that the field can be used year-round by people of all abilities. Loveland is dedicated to reducing carbon emissions and fostering community connections through food production, helping to create a resilient local food system.

Future of the Peninsula Trust

The Peninsula Trust has been a vital community anchor on the Rame Peninsula for over a decade, offering a range of essential services to local residents. Its work includes providing affordable housing options, running a community café, maintaining a food larder, and supporting small businesses with affordable enterprise spaces. Additionally, the Trust acts as a central hub, offering welfare advice, a library, and organising community events to strengthen social ties across the region.

Faced with increased costs and demand, the Trust launched a Crowdfunder campaign to raise £35,000 to keep its services running for the next six months. The campaign successfully raised over £36,000 from 215 supporters, including a £5,000 grant from the Cornwall Social Inclusion Fund. This funding will support key initiatives like affordable housing and the Rame Centre, where locals can access vital resources, including food and welfare services. The Peninsula Trust also plays a critical role in saving historic buildings, such as transforming a burnt-out pub, The Old Ship, into a thriving community café. Through its wide-reaching services, the Trust impacts thousands of residents each year, offering no-judgement access to food, housing, and community engagement. This crowdfunding success will provide the Trust with the breathing room it needs to develop a sustainable future for the entire Rame Peninsula.

Start telling your story

There is still time to receive +Extra funding from Cornwall Council, as well as our other amazing partners. If you belong to a community group or organisation that you think might be eligible, start crowdfunding today!