The Two Bays Trust: Creating a coastal hub for nature and wellbeing

In 2024, The Two Bays Trust received a grant of £5,588 from CCF’s Duke of Cornwall’s Marine & Environmental FundA sum of money made available for grant making, often with specific criteria/conditions.. This early investment played a vital role in enabling the construction of the Trust’s new Coastal Centre, a welcoming community space that is already transforming lives across North Cornwall.

Originally established to protect and enhance the local marine environment, The Two Bays Trust has expanded its mission to respond to the growing need for nature-based wellbeing support. In June 2025, the charity amended its charitable objects to include Green Social Prescribing and Blue Health facilities and services, allowing it to combine conservation with activities that improve mental health and reduce social isolationLoneliness, lack of access to human interactions..

The Trust has seen first-hand how spending time outdoors and connecting with nature can have a profound impact on people experiencing anxiety, poor mental health and loneliness, particularly young people. The Marine Environment Fund grant provided the foundation for this new direction by supporting the creation of the Coastal Centre, which now hosts a wide range of activities that benefit both people and the environment.

Barnaby Kay, Chair of The Two Bays Trust, told us:

“The response has exceeded expectations. The Coastal Centre has become a valued community assetAn item of monetary value that an organisation owns., embraced not only by local residents but also by conservation organisations, wellbeing providers and NHS services. The Trust is now welcoming groups of students with social, emotional and mental health needs, alongside people referred through Primary Care Networks, with participants experiencing significant improvements in confidence, wellbeing and connection to nature. At the same time, their involvement is making a lasting contribution to local conservation and biodiversity.”

Although initial plans to establish a Voluntary Marine Conservation Area could not progress, the Trust adapted its approach to focus on creating a community hub that would deliver lasting environmental and social benefits. This flexibility has enabled the charity to grow its reach, strengthen local partnerships and build widespread support for its work.

Reflecting on the impact of the funding, Barnaby said:

“We are indebted to CCF for providing the springboard which allowed us to establish ourselves last year. There was much more of a need for our services than I had imagined, and your contributions have helped us to support vulnerable young people and adults in North Cornwall, and further afield.”

Participant case study:

“The Two Bays Trust is an amazing place. I have been having a really difficult time with certain things recently, but this place has helped me so much. I look forward to coming here because I learn so much. I struggle learning because my mind is flat out but the people here are calm and so friendly and I feel very relaxed when Im here. I am very happy that I joined, it gives me something to look forward to. I am also learning about our planet more because the people here are interesting.”

To learn more about The Two Bays Trust head to https://www.twobays.org/

About the Funder

The Duke of Cornwall’s Marine & Environmental Fund focuses on stimulating widespread community education and engagement in marine environmental action and research across Cornwall.

If you are a community group looking for funding, please take a look at our available funding opportunities here.