13.02.03      
£200k state-of-the-art family learning centre opens a 'pebble's throw' from ancient Roche Rock

The new Roche Family Learning Centre is officially open for business – and at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday was named the 'Pebbles Centre' – standing, as it does, in the shadow of Roche Rock.

The centre is a novel combination of adult training, including IT, and childcare facilities, in the heart of the community at Roche School. The Roche Learning Village Partnership (RLVP), who devised the project, saw that one of the main barriers to being involved in life long learning was a lack of childcare provision, so this was built in to the project to ensure its success. Chris Mitten, member of RLVP and Head Teacher at Roche School said, "Our school strongly believes in providing extended learning opportunities in the community so when we had two redundant portakabins that were crying out to be used, it seemed logical to have the new facilities within the school." He added, "St Austell College are running a range of IT courses here at the moment – but of course these facilities could be used by anyone in the community, including local businesses. The childcare provision is not only for the use of those taking part in courses, but also for those who need childcare in order to work – we aim to make the facilities as flexible as possible to meet the needs of the community."

Working closely with Restormel Regeneration Partnership's Integrated Area Plan (IAP) Team, the RLVP have brought in the necessary agencies not only to fund the project, such as Objective One, but also help to run it, including St Austell College. Other partners include the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (EYDCP), Sure Start China Clay, South West of England Regional Development Agency and Restormel Borough Council. Christine Bainbridge, Programme Manager for the IAP Team is delighted, "This project is funded from a wide range of sources, including Objective One, and we are delighted to see that the project is already making a difference to the community. We were asked to help with project at an early stage and it's another example of an innovative idea that has been made into reality by agencies working together with communities and pooling their expertise, making something happen. It's part of the magic of community-based regeneration projects that enables everyone to work together for the good of a community – and its one of the main aims of the IAP team."

For further information contact:
Katrina Waters
Administration Officer, RRP IAP team
Tel: 01726 623735
e-mail: Katrina@rrp.org.uk

Editor's notes:

Photography Details
Photography is available from Apex Photography – contact Paul Mogford 01392 823146

Restormel Regeneration Partnership

Restormel Regeneration Partnership was established in 2000, with the object of making Restormel '... a more prosperous and lively area.' by making maximum use of the opportunities for regeneration.

Integrated Area Plans (IAPs) are the way in which Objective One can help communities. These are the plans that integrate the economic, social and environmental aspects of the Objective One programme into a framework for use in a specific area. There are eleven plans throughout Cornwall, three of which (St Austell Bay, China Clay Area, and Newquay & its Rural Hinterland) are covered by Restormel.

The Objective One funded Integrated Area Plan team was established in February 2001 to deliver the three IAPs for Restormel. It can help with developing and supporting community based projects who wish to apply for Objective One funding.

The RRP team is funded by Objective One, the South West of England Regional Development Agency, Imerys, Restormel Borough Council, and Health Action Zone.

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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