10.11.06
Award winning community centre celebrates investment

A plaque has been presented to All Saints Community Centre in recognition of the Objective One investment that has been approved.

The plaque was officially presented to Chair of the All Saints Community Centre board, Rev Eddy Woon, by Mark Yeoman, Deputy Director of the Objective One Partnership.

Rev Woon said: "Not only did Objective One show faith in our project but it has supported us and because of that we have been able to employ three people."

The event, which took place on Thursday (November 9th) at the centre in Tuckingmill, was organised by Community Development Coordinator Treve James. Also present were Camborne Mayor Charles Bickford, acting Chief Inspector Lyn Gooding, representatives from user groups, members of the Board of Management (including Diana Johnson who, with her husband Paddy, also runs the CLASP Indoor Bowls Club at the centre), volunteers, members of staff (including caretaker Ken Churches) and the Little Saints playgroup.

Following the presentation cream teas were served at the Centre's cafe.

When Mr James was appointed Community Development Coordinator in 2002 All Saints Church Community Centre was faced with closure, because of various problems. It has since gone from strength to strength, 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.

Earlier this year £71,760 from the Objective One ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) was approved for a project worth £160,960. The money is being used to 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 said: "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.

For further information please contact Clare Morgan, Media Relations Manager for the Objective One Partnership Office on 01872 223439 or email cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk.

The Objective One Partnership 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, Community Development Coordinator and Gill James, Centre Administrator run the Centre supported by Caretaker Ken 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 people and groups. Work is undertaken with training and education (e.g. CLAIT, IT, Numeracy and Literacy); advice (West Cornwall Benefits Project); social care/counseling (eg 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, CLASP, 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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