The Cornwall Glass Fund applications have opened for its 3rd wave funding. The fund which was set up by Cornwall Glass & Glazing 4 years ago is held by Cornwall Community Foundation. To date, the fund has granted £31,000 to 36 Cornish Community and Charity groups. Here is a snapshot of how the fund has helped our community over the past 4 years;
Cornwall Accessible Activity Programme is an organisation based in Newquay which provides activities for disabled children and young people. The funding helped provide summer holiday activities to approximately 80 disabled children and their siblings. During summer holidays disabled children can feel isolated and lonely, so these activities, which included a trip to Dairyland, a day of kayaking and an end of summer party, helped create friendship groups and raising self-esteem.
Sandy Lawrence, Chair of CAAP commented ‘Without the funding we would not have been able to grow. We now support in excess of 200 families who have a disabled child in Cornwall.’
Tregadiellet Pre-School was awarded funding towards their garden renovation. Their play area was tired and damaged, in need of regenerating. The funding provided a soft and safe area for children to play in. A climbing frame was erected to encourage children to develop their independence and provided a safe place to read books and relax. The use of different textures in the new garden provides the children a variety of learning experiences and to experiment too.
BF Adventure based in Penryn, work with young people with physical and learning difficulties as well as the disadvantaged and disaffected. They use outdoor activities to build self-esteem and confidence as well as to develop social and thinking skills. Their funding allowed the purchase of two identical, low maintenance canoes, which are perfect for participants using wheelchairs.
Adrian Richards, Chief Executive commented ‘The fund has made a huge difference. The canoes are used on an almost daily basis and each boat will float nearing 400 young people each year.’
The canoes are aptly named ‘Glass Fund Canoe’.
West Cornwall Mind supports those in Cornwall with poor mental health to fulfil their personal and social goals and achieve a sense of belonging in their community. The Cornwall Glass Fund grant supports the Functional Fitness (FunFit) classes for 12 months, the classes are held twice a week in two separate locations, where fitness and socialising are combined together. The health benefits are not only physical but emotional and these are often seen straight away. The FunFit group has been such a success that two of the members have continued their sporting efforts into a running group.
Cornwall Blind Association is supported by The Cornwall Glass Fund to fund volunteer drivers to take members to clubs across Cornwall. This funding gives people the opportunity to socialise with others, achieving goals, increasing their self-esteem and independence and reducing the feeling of isolation. These clubs include BATS Club – a sailing club in Falmouth, Newquay Visually Impaired Club and Bliss Club a choir group.
The Drop In & Share Centre in Camborne, provides a safe, warm and welcoming environment to those who feel marginalised and socially excluded. The centre runs the message of ‘A hand up not a hand out’. DISC opens 5 days a week 52 weeks of the year and in the first 8 months alone they served 5200 lunches. The grant enabled the support of art sessions which offers people the ability to express themselves giving them a voice, when otherwise it might not have always been heard.
Reverend Firbank who heads the group commented that ‘the funding helps us to rehabilitate people, and get people back into society, but ultimately I truly believe it’s saved lives.’
For 2015 the priorities for the fund are projects with children, people with mental illnesses and people suffering from domestic violence. To apply for a grant, visit Cornwall Community Foundations website or call them. Cornwall Community Foundation information:
Website: www.cornwallfoundation.com and selecting grants or call 01566 779333 for an application form.