06.07.06
Award winning community centre set to expand
 More
than £70,000 of Objective One investment has been approved
to support expansion at an award-winning community centre.
All Saints Church Community Centre, in Tuckingmill, was
faced with closure in 2002 because of various problems. But
then Treve James was appointed as community development coordinator
and it has gone from strength to strength. It was awarded
The Queen's Golden Jubilee Award for Voluntary Service
by groups in the community in 2004 and was visited by Prince
Edward in the same year. In 2006 Treve James was awarded the
MBE in The Queen's New Year's Honours for services
to community and social work in West Cornwall.
Now £71,760 from the Objective One ERDF (European
Regional Development Fund) has been approved for a project
worth £160,960. The money will continue to fund the
post of Community Development Coordinator, increase the post
of Centre Administrator from part time to full time and employ
a part time General Assistant. This in turn means more centre
users can be supported in finding training and employment.
Mr James explained: "This Objective One investment
will allow me to concentrate on new areas to help this project
grow even more and be an integral part of the regeneration
of this area. When I took over in 2002 the building had undergone
major refurbishment with Millennium Commission lottery money
but there was no development strategy in place to secure long
term sustainability. Since then we have never looked back
and occasionally have to say sorry there is no space because
everyone wants to come, including groups from other parts
of the UK. It has often been said that this is probably one
of the best projects of its kind in Cornwall and is a flagship
for community services.
"The centre runs seven days a week and it is multi-purpose.
Diversity is the key here and you find that people like it
because they can come in and no one will label them. They
could be just coming in for a cup of tea or to book a children's
party.
"For instance we have conference and training
facilities, an IT suite, run weekend support groups, adult
education, Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous and have a café.
We work with groups including the Police, Social Services,
Cornwall College, Probation, Sure Start, The NHS and Cornwall
Action Team."
Carleen Kelemen, Director of the Objective One Partnership,
said: "Developing our people is developing our future.
Close partnership with the voluntary and community sector
is vital in ensuring success in helping people into training
and work. The All Saints Community Centre has a proven track
record in delivering pathways to employment that are tailored
to the needs of the individual."
Some of the people that come through the doors of All Saints
are able to access further training, return to work or to
gain sheltered employment for the first time.
One of these success stories is that of Robert Winfield
who attends the We Can Art Group. His work has recently reached
the pre selection stage for the Society of Equestrian Artists
at The Mall Gallery in London.
For further information please contact Clare Morgan, Media
Relations Manager, Objective One Partnership on 01872 223439
or email: cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk.
The Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the
Isles of Scilly has invested in the All Saints Church Community
Centre through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Editor's notes:
Built in beautiful red sandstone with fine feature windows
and inner beams, this Grade II listed building is one of Tuckingmill's
best. Dating from 1845 it has a long history of working with
the community, originally built from funds raised by local
miners and the famous Basset family, it was used as the Parochial
school providing education for the children of the parish
and was used up until the changes in the education system
when a new school was built for the community at Roskear.
The All Saints Church Community Centre is an unincorporated
registered charity (number 1106896) situated in Tuckingmill.
It was officially opened as a Community Centre in December
2000 but the work of the Centre only became fully operational
with the appointment of a Community Development Coordinator
in March 2002.
The Centre is run by a management committee consisting of
six representatives of the Tuckingmill Parochial Church Council
and six elected members from local residents using the Centre.
The Board meets five times a year one meeting being the AGM.
There is also an Executive Committee that has the power to
act for the Board on any matters that do not necessitate a
full Board Meeting.
Treve James the Community Development Coordinator and Gill
James the Centre Administrator run the Centre supported by
Caretaker Bonnie Churches and 12 volunteers.
The Centre is a key focus for the provision of support and
personal development within the community setting of Camborne
North. It caters for a considerable number of disadvantaged
peoples and groups. Work is undertaken with Training and Education
(e.g. CLAIT, IT, Numeracy and Literacy); Advice (West Cornwall
Benefits Project); Social care/counseling (e.g. Social Services,
AA, NA, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's); with young
offenders; recovery from mental illness through providing
training in art, confidence building and IT and working with
unemployed people who have problems preventing them returning
to the job market.
Social groups from the voluntary sector using the centre are
the Cubs and Beavers, HI 5Youth Club, The Luncheon Club for
the Elderly, Breast Friends, The Caring Community Club, Little
Saints Toddlers, Kernow Cycle Club, Roskear Ladies Group,
C.L.A.S.P, Carpet Bowls for the disabled, Aerobics, Keep Fit
and All Saints Art Group. The centre is also used for family
occasions such as children's parties, receptions, conferences
and Church meetings.
In recognition of the outstanding work that has been achieved
at All Saints the centre had a visit on the 15th April from
Prince Edward The Earl of Wessex who officially opened the
new Millennium Commission Enhancement Facilities, and met
the many groups from both the statuary and voluntary sector
who use the centre.
The centre has also received plaques from the Chairman of
Kerrier District Council and The Mayor of Camborne in recognition
of the work carried out by the centre and its volunteers.
Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439
cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk
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