Perranporth Community Hub brings vital support to rural community thanks to the Headland Community Fund

A £1,500 grant from the Headland Hotel Community FundA sum of money made available for grant making, often with specific criteria/conditions. has enabled Imagine If Partnership to expand their Perranporth Community Hub and Pain Café, reaching 900 people across the year with life-changing support and activities.

Making a difference in rural Cornwall

The Hub has become a vital lifeline for residents in Perranporth and surrounding areas, particularly for older people and those living with long-term health conditions who often struggle to access services in rural communities. With activities ranging from chair-based yoga and tai chi to healthy walking groups and digital support sessions, the Hub offers something for everyone.

Kevin Feaviour, Director at Imagine If Partnership, explains: “We have provided a wide range of services that otherwise people in the rural community would not be able to access easily. The grant has helped us demonstrate that a hub is not just a physical space where people gather, but has spokes where outreach to different parts of the community is vital.”

Building connections and confidence

The impact has been remarkable. Over 350 people have used the Hub café, creating a welcoming space where connections are made and loneliness is tackled. The Pain Café has been particularly transformative, with 100% of participants reporting feeling more able to manage their pain and 83% feeling more in control of their lives.

The projectA piece of work that delivers an output. has also sparked unexpected growth in volunteering, with residents from Halveor Court sheltered housing now regularly supporting activities. Ten volunteers now help deliver sessions across the Hub’s programmes, bringing the community together in meaningful ways.

Real stories, real change

The Hub’s coordinator provides crucial one-to-one support, making a tangible difference to individual lives. In one remarkable case, they helped a person have a £17,500 South West Water bill deleted. The Hub has also supported someone experiencing homelessness, connecting them with Citizens Advice Bureau, health advocates, addiction support, foodbank access, and housing services.

“The increase in volunteering and level of engagement has been overwhelming,” says Kevin. “We can see an ongoing and increasing need for the Hub and Pain Café in Perranporth.”

Looking ahead

The Hub continues to grow, with monthly attendance figures showing strong engagement throughout the year. From 596 people in January to 687 in October, the community has embraced this vital resource. Activities include chair yoga, tai chi, healthy walking groups, digital training, and seasonal events like Christmas wreath making.

The success of the Perranporth Community Hub demonstrates how targeted funding can create lasting impact in rural communities, bringing essential services to those who need them most and fostering a true sense of belonging and resilience.

About the Fund

The Headland Hotel Community fund offers opportunities to grassroots community and voluntary groups in Newquay. To learn more about The Headland Hotel, visit: The Headland.

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

If you are looking to support the Cornwall Community Foundation with a donation, click here: Online payment – Cornwall Community Foundation