Whole Again Communities support the most vulnerable with a grant from the Surviving Winter fund

Whole Again Communities CIC is dedicated to supporting vulnerable individuals in the Penzance area. The community faces significant challenges, with poverty, deprivation, and health inequalities. 

Their Open House initiative serves as a vital lifeline, alongside workshops, health resources, food education, personal health plans, and a welcoming space where people can find connection and support. It’s a place where individuals can seek nourishment, warmth, and a sense of belonging.

January of 2024, the charitable trust were awarded £5,000 from the Surviving Winter FundA sum of money made available for grant making, often with specific criteria/conditions. and in turn offered small grants to the people at most risk from the effects of winter.

40 households (totalling 136 individuals) were given the support they needed to help with the costs of staying warm and well throughout the coldest winter months.

WGC were able to help vulnerable pensioners, single parents, low-income families, people in receipt of benefits, those working part time and many more. 

The high utility bills combined with the increasing cost of everything in our daily lives has affected most of the people we meet coming through the Hub at WAC.  We listen to people explaining that the pressure of these costs is affecting their mental health day to day with some having to choose between food and warmth.  Many people aren’t using their cookers in order to save money. People talk about the state of their homes, many with old heating systems and how by not using their heating the damp and mould in their houses becomes awful and their health conditions even worse. The long and short of it is that these small grants help so many people in so many ways and have been so gratefully received.

About the fund 

The Surviving Winter Fund was established over ten years ago to support those facing additional hardship through the tough winter months. Annually we appeal to people to donate their winter fuel allowance, if they can spare it, to help those struggling.

For more information about Whole Again Communities CIC visit www.wholeagaincommunities.co.uk

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.