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Urgent: Cornwall's Housing Action Appeal

Prioritising lasting change:
Grant-making for a fairer, more equitable Cornwall.

We are very fortunate to call Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly our home. Our beautiful landscape, deep-rooted legends, warm Cornish hospitality and cultural heritage are world renowned.

However, poverty and rural isolation, identified by our first Vital Signs research in 2017, are very real issues for many people in our communities.

In 2022 we published our second Vital Signs paper, with research jointly carried out with The University of Exeter. The report highlights the challenges that our communities face, and how local giving can make a huge difference by addressing the urgent, and often overlooked, areas of need. Vital Signs 2022 is informing our philanthropy services and our grant-making, and is a benchmark for our future impact.

The case for support

Our Vital signs papers allow us to find the statistics behind the stories of the support we know is needed across our communities.

In 2021 26.5% of the Cornish population earned under the real living wage

In Cornwall disadvantaged pupils are, on average, 20.7 months behind

In Cornwall in 2021 the average home cost 10.99 times average earnings

Over a fifth of children in Cornwall were living in relative poverty in the year to March 2023

Our funding priorities

Through our Vital Signs report and liaising with our network we have highlighted five key strategic areas of support for maximum impact.

Housing

In February 2022 Cornwall Council announced a housing crisis. Thousands of people are on social housing waiting lists and living in temporary accommodation. CCF have, and will continue, to respond to the housing crisis by funding groups tackling the immediate needs of homelessness, while simultaneously supporting organisations working on strategic systematic change.
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In work poverty

Cornwall has many more seasonal, temporary, zero hours jobs than elsewhere in the UK as well as a greater percentage of self-employed people and people earning under the real living wage. This has led to an increased dependence on food banks, debt advisory services, crisis support, and housing issues. It has also led to a huge increase in those seeking support for mental health and wellbeing concerns.
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Rural isolation

Rural isolation is the reality for many in Cornwall, greatly intensifying the issues faced by people living in poverty. Community groups and spaces are a lifeline for these people providing a vital support network.
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Lack of opportunities

The employment landscape in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly is fragile and too heavily based on the tourism industry but the Vital Signs report suggested that issues arise for our young people even earlier. The South West continues to be the lowest performing region in England for the percentage of disadvantaged children reaching expected standards in reading, writing and math at the end of Key State 2.
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Environment

Though undoubtedly a beautiful part of the country with ample access to the natural environment, Cornwall’s natural beauty and resources are under threat. A climate risk assessment was commissioned by Cornwall Council and funding for projects tackling these issues is vital for the future of the Duchy.
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How you can help

Since 2003 we have awarded more than £20m in small grants to grassroots, front-line, volunteer-led organisations that are making a positive impact, helping to overcome the challenges of disadvantage, exclusion and poverty for all. This work wouldn’t be possible without our generous donors.
Ways to give

Measuring our impact

All of our grants are subject to a monitoring report to enable us to measure their outcomes and impact.

The impact measurement tool that we use enables CCF, and community foundations across the country, to capture and demonstrate the value of the broad range of grants given out. Alongside data, stories of change and case studies bring to life the impact of funding. The themes, outcomes and indicators of the framework enable us to capture the kind of change that groups are achieving, to track transformation, and communicate this to current and potential donors, and the wider community.

Impact report 2023
Community stories

“I think it is fair to say that CCF grants have completely changed the lives of many we help and have given people a new purpose in life. By funding things that are so important – hot meals, exercise, simple projects etc people’s lives are changed.“

Pat Walton - Oasis Centre

Grants distribution

Where next?