Trewithen Fund grant panel awards £20,000 to help young people achieve their potential

The Trewithen FundA sum of money made available for grant making, often with specific criteria/conditions. grant programme offers support to projectsA piece of work that delivers an output. that teach, train and mentor young people to help them achieve their full potential. Meeting virtually, the panelA group of people who review grant applications and decide which will receive funding. awarded £20,000 to 8 groups providing services ranging from money saving tips, one to one counselling sessions and a variety of outdoor activities.

One of the groups awarded funding was Rebuild South West CIC who received £3,000 to address youth unemployment arising from the pandemic. The grant awarded will fund support for young people who are at risk of becoming disengaged and not in education, employment or training (NEET). Partnering with Cornwall College in providing an alternative learning environment, the programme will enable the young people to gain their CSCS card, essential to be able to work on construction sites, and be buddied with an experienced, skilled trades person they will be able to explore a variety of career pathways in construction.

Sam Galsworthy, Co-founder of Sipsmith Gin, Founder of the Trewithen Fund and one of our Trustees said, “Cornwall’s community was already greatly challenged before the pandemic and this has only deepened in the last year. But there are those out there that have continued to volunteer their time and support to the grass root causes that the county so desperately needs - many of these are not well known and in some cases almost invisible. Cornwall Community Foundation can play a critical role in their existence and at Trewithen we’re proud to play a small part in this and will continue to do so.”

Penhaligon’s Friends, the Cornish charity supporting bereaved children, young people, parents and carers also received a grant award of £3,000 from the Trewithen Fund. Penhaligon’s Friends has 31 volunteers who are trained to deliver one-to-one support to bereaved young people struggling with more complex grief. Demand for this service has increased during the pandemic. The grant will be used to continue that important work as well as support volunteers and purchase additional resources to use within the sessions.

Our Grants & Community Outreach Officer, Colum Taylor, who attended the panel meeting adds, “The members of the panel were delighted to have been able to support so many groups in making an immediate impact in the lives of children across Cornwall and the Isles of Scillys. The Foundation is very grateful to the Trewithen Fund for it’s generous support enabling young people to find exciting new opportunities and reach their potential.”