Case Studies

The Sensory Trust

The Sensory Trust is a UK charity based in Cornwall that aims to make richer connections between people and the world around them, for everyone, regardless of age, disability and social circumstance, enhancing experience, engagement and access. Jane Stoneham, Managing Director of the Sensory Trust, explains:

“We make outdoor places more accessible and more attractive for people who find it difficult to get out and enjoy them. We work particularly with disabled people, older people, and people with chronic health conditions. There are quite a lot of people who face certain barriers to go out and enjoy local parks and countryside.”

Working in conjunction with other charities e.g. National Trust & Westonbirt Arboretum, The Sensory Trust is aiming to tackle the specific issues facing Cornwall Today such as poverty and an ageing population. One of the many projects run by the Trust is a programme called ‘Crazy Spaces’ connecting people with dementia with their community, combating feelings of low ‘self-worth’ amongst its service users. At Trevarna Care Home in St. Austell, the Sensory Trust had invited Penrice Community College to involve their students in coming into the care home, chat to the elderly residents and do some planting.

If you’re interested in how places can be made more accessible and more enjoyable for everyone the Sensory Trust is the place to find ideas, information and examples of what good practice looks like. They cover inclusive community consultations, diversity awareness training, site reviews, and ways of strengthening social sustainability input into your building and landscape plans.

For more information please visit their website www.sensorytrust.org.uk

 

Wadebridge Foodbank - A busy year!

There are over 4,000 children and 5,300 older people living on the edge of poverty in North Cornwall.  The Wadebridge Foodbank and storehouse helps people in crisis in the Wadebridge, Padstow, Bodmin and surrounding rural areas. Established in 2009, Project Manager Jacqui White says the Foodbank is busier than ever;
“We have double the amount of people through our door this year than in previous years”.
The clientele range from domestic violence victims who have had to flee from their homes with nothing, to people who have a change or delay in benefit and have no money to pay for necessities in the short term. A parent from Bodmin explained what the food parcel meant to them;
“We were worried about not having any food, and not being able to feed our 6 year old son. When we received the food box we were so thankful that there was one less worry. We feel that everyone working at the food bank are angels, they need medals all of them.”
The Wadebridge Foodbank, like a lot of other Foodbanks, works on a voucher system. Vouchers can be obtained from local care, professional or voluntary services such as GP’s, schools, CAB, social workers, churches etc. The food packages and other services are a helping hand to get people back on their feet but occasionally the help will last for sometime.
Jacqui says that the money from the Cornwall Community foundation Crisis fund and the friend’s awards has been invaluable, not only helping to buy food, but other basic items such as duvets and warm clothes.
“The money granted to us by the Foundation has not only helped the Foodbank generally, but more specific cases as well. The money has helped us buy a microwave and a bed…

Trustee & Chair of the Grants Committee, Oliver Baines shines a light on Grants!

[caption id="attachment_456" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Oliver Baines, Trustee & Chairman of the Grants Committee"][/caption]

Can you tell us who the CCF helps?

There is a huge range of charitable and volunteering activity in Cornwall, both big and small. It is a great strength of Cornwall and not the national norm, and the Foundation can technically support all of them! The scope is also very wide and we need to be able to support all the different areas, anything from a drop in centre for the homeless, a youth club, a dance group or trips for the elderly.



So how do you prioritize?

Our grants committee agrees priorities about once a year (with a review every 6 months). We get feedback from groups, individuals, organisations like the Citizens Advice Bureau and the Foundation itself about where the demand is coming from and where we think the need is and we balance out these two criteria – it is continuing process really.



So what have the CCF concentrated on in the last year?

We have concentrated on three main areas: -

The first is crisis, such as the food banks throughout the county; who have been inundated in this current climate. The second is the age group of 13-19 years old such as K3 in Saltash. The third priority has been small investments in small organisations to help them get through a difficult period, they might need new equipment to survive or re –d o a kitchen in a hall to meet new regulations which means all the groups that use that hall can continue to do so.



So if an organisation or individual is not part of your priority group can they get funding?…

Woman's Royal Voluntary Service - Meals On Wheels

Woman's Royal Voluntary Service is currently operating a community meals on wheels scheme from an office in Redruth. The service operates with volunteers delivering a hot fresh cooked meal daily which is produced by a local supplier for WRVS.
WRVS operates 7 days a week, 52 weeks of the year including Christmas Day and covers the Redruth and Falmouth area of Cornwall. Meals delivery is a vital service for those who want to stay independent home but can have difficulty with shopping, carrying heavy bags or cooking for themselves.
The service provides friendly social contact and a regular check that they are safe and well. It also ensures that the most vulnerable and socially isolated members of society have access to high levels of nutrition.  This award funded 2 FREE hot meals for each service user in Cornwall.

“Meals on Wheels is a lifeline for our service users! Most recipients are elderly and unable to cook a meal for themselves. Many are housebound, have no friends or family and have little or no money.
The funding we received from the CCF enabled us to provide our service users with two FREE meals over the coldest days of the winter. We can’t wait to work with The Foundation again”
Amanda Whitlock, SW Service Delivery Manager, WRVS