Reflecting, reconnecting and looking ahead at our annual away day
Last week, our staff and trustees came together at the beautiful Lost Gardens of Heligan for our annual away day, hosted in their inspiring new Centre for Nature Futures.
As an organisation working across every corner of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, opportunities to bring our whole team together are invaluable. While we work with communities across the county every day, taking time to step away from our desks and reflect together allows us to strengthen relationships, share ideas and ensure we remain focused on the communities we are here to serve.
One of Cornwall Community Foundation’s greatest strengths is our people. Our team brings together a wide range of skills, experiences and perspectives, from grant-making and philanthropy to communications, finance and community outreach. Although we each play a different role, we are united by one shared purpose: creating a happier, fairer and more resilient Cornwall and Isles of Scilly.
Throughout the day, we reflected on everything that our donors, fundholders, business partners and supporters have made possible over the past year. Together, we celebrated the thousands of lives that have been touched through local giving, recognising the incredible work of the grassroots charities and community groups that continue to make such a difference in their communities.
The day also gave us the opportunity to look ahead. We explored how Cornwall Community Foundation can continue to grow its impact, strengthen partnerships and respond to the changing needs of our communities in the years to come.
A key part of our discussions centred around the latest findings from our Vital Signs report. While Cornwall is a wonderful place to live, the report reminds us that many people continue to face significant challenges. Too many children are growing up in poverty, too many people are experiencing poor mental health, families are struggling with rising living costs and housing insecurity, and loneliness and isolation remain a reality for many communities.
These challenges reinforce why our work is so important. Cornwall Community Foundation exists to connect local generosity with local need, ensuring that funding reaches the grassroots organisationsGroups of people coming together on a local level to address an issue. best placed to make a lasting difference. By bringing together donors, businesses and community organisations, we can help build stronger, healthier and more resilient communities across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
Our annual away day wasn’t just an opportunity to reflect on the past year—it was a chance to reconnect with our shared purpose and leave inspired for the year ahead. We are incredibly proud of what has been achieved together, and even more determined to continue supporting the communities that need us most.
A huge thank you to everyone at the Lost Gardens of Heligan for welcoming us into the wonderful Centre for Nature Futures. It provided the perfect setting to reflect, collaborate and look towards the future.
