Bugle Library of Small Things provides food and a safe social space for the community with a grant from the Cornish Lithium Fund 

Bugle Library of Things is an established community help hub based in Bugle, welcoming upwards of 400 people each month. 

The hub focusses of distributing food and household essentials and also runs various community sessions to alleviate social isolationLoneliness, lack of access to human interactions., improve mental health and wellbeing and tackle financial instability in the community. 

Grant awarded and impact

The £2,000 grant from the Cornish Lithium FundA sum of money made available for grant making, often with specific criteria/conditions. supported a monthly weekend breakfast club and fortnightly evening hub, providing food and a safe social space for those in need. These activities helped families, seniors, and individuals facing hardship to access nutritious meals. They also offered an inclusive community space where people could connect, reducing social isolation. The projectA piece of work that delivers an output. especially benefited those who couldn’t attend weekday activities due to work or caring responsibilities, fostering a sense of belonging in Bugle. 

The grant provided consistent access to food and social support, reducing stress for families and individuals in Bugle. The Breakfast Club ensured children received nutritious meals, while the Evening Hub created a social space for connection. This reduced loneliness, especially among seniors and single parents, strengthening community bonds and improving mental well-being. 

The project also encouraged further local volunteer support, expanding the hub’s capacity.  

A single mother of three attended the Breakfast Club after losing her job. She shared that the food support eased her financial burden, ensuring her children had healthy meals. Over time, she felt less isolated, connecting with other parents at our gatherings. This community support inspired her to start volunteering, giving back to the same initiative that helped her. 

The Cornish Lithium Community Fund has been running since 2022 and has awarded over £50,000 to 30 different community groups. The fund was set up by Cornish Lithium to support the work of local clubs, charities and activity groups that seek to make a positive difference in the company’s project areas, which now include Blackwater, Carharrack, Chacewater, Gwennap, St Agnes, St Day, Twelveheads and China Clay Country around St Austell. 

This is one of more than 12 Community Benefit Funds managed by Cornwall Community Foundation. 

If you are a community group looking for funding, please view our available grants. 

If you are looking to support the Cornwall Community Foundation with a donation, go to our online donation page.