All Saints Church Community Centre, Tucking Mill

“Though it is a multi-purpose centre for the whole community, we are working particularly with those who find themselves marginalised in society. People feel safe in this warm and friendly environment and prefer to come to us rather than go to social services or probation,” says Treve James, the Centre Co-ordinator for All Saints Church Community Centre. 

Based in the extremely deprived area of Camborne, which faces high levels of unemployment and mental health problems, the centre has strived to give local people a sense of ownership. Over 275 people access the services and activities at the centre each week, including a youth club, indoor bowls for the disabled, a caring communities club, IT and art clubs, an elderly luncheon club, and alcoholics anonymous. The majority of users live locally, though its reach has spread as the good reputation of the centre flourished, further enhancing its ability to reach the most excluded in society, including pro-active outreach to the expanding migrant communities in the area.

The Church Urban Fund has helped to fund the salary of the community development co-ordinator, helping to ensure that local people are given the best possible service. “Without the initial Church Urban Fund I don’t think the centre would be where it is today,” says Treve. “This support has encouraged other funding, and the money from the Church Urban Fund has also allowed new initiatives to take place.”

A large team of dedicated and active volunteers has been essential to the centre’s success, with a Queen’s Golden Jubilee Award for Voluntary Service reflective of the respect the project has earned. Since opening in 2000, the centre has become a frontrunner in meeting the real needs of local people.  Treve says: “It is a wonderful facility because it is anonymous, there is an open door policy and we do not judge anyone. This is why the centre is now the flagship project for community resources in Cornwall.”