07.08.03
Lack of demand jeoprdises potential free training sessions

Regeneration North Cornwall is running the Community Enterprise Development Programme from September to December 2003. The Programme is a series of free one day information sessions for representatives of community groups, parish councils, voluntary organisations, project applicants and others within North Cornwall. The sessions are designed to provide access to new skills, raise awareness, inspire, provide practical help and support and introduce participants to new networks and contacts.

The Community Enterprise Development sessions are located throughout North Cornwall, with locations at Bodmin, Bude, Camelford and Launceston. Unfortunately, with the current lack of demand in the Bude area there is an increasing risk that the Bude sessions will be cancelled.

Regeneration North Cornwall's Programme Manager Check McEwen said: "Cancellation of these sessions in Bude would be a lost opportunity. These sessions will be extremely valuable for those who are involved with community activities." She went on to say: "Our programme deliverers are thoroughly experienced in this type of activity and will offer an informative and interesting day in a friendly, informal and fun atmosphere. The programme provides a unique opportunity for community representatives from the Bude area to develop new skills, free of charge that will benefit the community group they represent. However, if attendance levels in Bude do not increase, Regeneration North Cornwall will be forced to relocate or cancel the sessions currently scheduled in the Bude area."

The programme is suitable for representatives of new community groups and those that are already up and running, where the development of new skills will enable them to make the most of opportunities arising. Key features of the Community Enterprise Development Programme include the opportunity for participants to gain skills, knowledge and confidence in order to:

• Develop your organisation or partnership

• Aid project development

• Make successful grant applications

• Administer and manage projects effectively

Mr Paul Holmes, Vice-Chair of Wadebridge Town Forum explained how the programme will directly help the members of Wadebridge Town Forum and in turn benefit the wider community. He stated: "If we are serious about developing our town plan, securing funding and making projects happen for the benefit of our community, we will need a committee with a variety of skills and knowledge. There are no short cuts in achieving this and the comprehensive Community Enterprise Development Programme provides an excellent opportunity for our members to gain new skills and understand the key elements for turning a project dream into a reality."

Editor's notes:

The five strong team at Regeneration North Cornwall are working with local groups and companies to encourage economic, social and environmental projects.

Regeneration North Cornwall offers a range of free services including:
 
• project development 
 
• writing bids and business plans
 
• help with finding match funding
 
• establishing appropriate partnerships
 
• signposting to appropriate sources of support
 
• management support

If a project is not eligible for Objective One funding the Regeneration team will do their best to help locate other funds and find other ways of taking ideas forward.

North Cornwall IAP Programme (total value) = £18.53 million
Objective One value within this = £7.16 million

The Integrated Area Plan for North Cornwall aims to:

Jason Clark
Communications Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Tel: 01872 241379
Fax: 01872 241388
jason@dclark.co.uk

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