Cornwall Samaritans Approaches £1million

TRURO, U.K. - April 25, 2024 - PRLog -- Samaritans of Cornwall at Truro has been awarded £495,000 from the Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF), alongside £15,000 from The Duchy Health Charity, to help transform and redevelop the building it owns at Treyew Road in Truro, alongside the construction of a new stand-alone training centre within its grounds.

The £495,000 investment comes from the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth Community Organisation Fund, which is managed by Cornwall Council and funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The charity has helped to save and change lives in Cornwall for over 50 years and has now raised over £875,000 towards a total capital development target of just over £1million for vital capital work.

The Samaritans of Cornwall at Truro provides a listening service for adults and children in despair, with a vision that fewer people die by suicide, alleviating emotional distress and reducing the incidence of suicidal feelings through the simple act of listening.

Centrally located in the county, the branch is easily accessible via major roads and public transport for volunteers, partners and service users; however, a 3-storey "town house", the building itself is problematic, not fully accessible and no longer fit for purpose, so Cornwall Samaritans must undertake major capital work to secure its future, enable the charity to reach more beneficiaries, grow its services and make the charity more sustainable.

Sue Wilkins, (voluntary) Director of Cornwall Samaritans: "We are extremely grateful to The Duchy Health Charity and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund for their kind support. The developments will help us to reach those who need our services, and those that would like to volunteer with us, as well as enabling better partnership working. Our aim is to achieve an energy efficient, low maintenance, cost efficient Branch, to ensure expenses are controlled and that funds raised are focussed on the provision of service."
Further quote available.

Cornwall Council portfolio holder for economy Louis Gardner: Quote available.

Barbara Vann, Chair of Duchy Health Charity: Quote available.

The charity hopes the changes will help attract new volunteers so that it can open more hours, embrace new technology and offer more outreach into the community, increasing volunteer numbers and diversity in all areas of Cornwall Samaritans' work, enabling the charity to reach beneficiaries whenever and however they are needed.

To support Cornwall Samaritans' capital appeal, or for further information, email CornwallSamsFR@gmail.com or visit their website/twitter