Communities across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are feeling the positive impact of Cornwall Council’s Good Growth Programme with 142 community hubs receiving investment to strengthen local facilities, promote pride in place and bring people together.
From village halls and community centres to churches and charity-owned venues, these hubs are being revitalised thanks to investment under the Good Growth Programme’s ‘Community and Place’ priority, which sits alongside support for local businesses and people and skills.
The Good Growth programme is managed by Cornwall Council and has been allocated a total of £186 million from the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund over four years until March 2026. It is aimed at driving local economic growth, creating jobs and strengthening communities.
Cllr Tim Dwelly, Cornwall Council's Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Investment, said: “These investments go far beyond bricks and mortar. It’s about building community identity, boosting local pride, and ensuring all areas of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly benefit from investment. These projects have been shaped and delivered locally, ensuring that communities are firmly at the heart of their own futures.”
So far, 79 small grants ranging from £1,000 to £24,999 from the Good Growth Community Capacity Fund have helped community groups to lay the groundwork for bigger projects. These funds have supported activities including equipment purchases, community consultation, and developing architects' plans. These early-stage investments have proved especially valuable to communities with little or no experience of applying for and securing funding.
A total of 50 grants of between £25,000 and £200,000 have been awarded for projects through the Good Growth Community Levelling Up Programme. These projects have focussed on refurbishments to improve accessibility, sustainability, and the flexibility of community facilities to host more activities for wider audiences.
An example is Calstock Village Hall in South East Cornwall, which initially received £8,375 from the Community Capacity Fund to support architect and quantity surveyor services for a feasibility study. Following this, the Calstock Village Hall Management Committee secured £198,367 through the Good Growth Community Levelling Up Programme to undertake a major renovation. The hall now boasts a very flexible internal space that allows different activities to take place at the same time, plus improved access, an upgraded kitchen and a relocated bar area better suited to a wider variety of events.
Calstock Hall Administrator Matt Taylor said: “The Good Growth investment has been transformational for the hall and the community because it’s given us a much more flexible space that can accommodate a wider range of community events and activities, from short mat bowls to pop-up restaurants. The funding was also a real catalyst for bringing people together. We had a very tight deadline to complete the work because our first event was a local wedding. It was thanks to an army of local trades and volunteers from across the community that we got it done in the nick of time.”
Another key success is the St Neot Community Hub on the edge of Bodmin Moor, which received £176,539 to fund a single-storey extension of its current pavilion. The development includes a permanent village shop to replace one that closed in 2023, a community tearoom, plus a new communal kitchen for use by a diverse range of groups from the local Scouts to the WI. The extension includes ramp access to make it fully accessible and solar panels to supply renewable energy.
Mrs Tracey Hooper, Chair of St Neot Parish Council said: “The Good Growth funding for St Neot Community Hub and Shop has made a significant contribution to the neighbourhood, enabling residents to access essential groceries and local produce without travelling far from their homes. Furthermore, as the new facilities are fully accessible it’s encouraging both young and older residents to come and enjoy the beautiful environment in comfort, leading to more activity and social cohesion. St Neot is well known for its community spirit and this being a community project, it’s definitely bringing people together.”
Also benefitting is Lambeage Hall in Coverack on the Lizard peninsula. Following an initial grant of £20,450 from the Community Capacity Fund, the project has received a further £496,299 from the main Good Growth Programme for a major renovation.
The works include a low carbon, two storey extension to the front of the building including a disabled parking and drop off point, ramp, accessible toilets, changing rooms and bar. This means the hall will be able provide an increased range of activities, with inclusive access for all. An official opening is planned for October.
In addition to the grants above, 13 further community hubs have secured major funding through the wider Good Growth Programme to enhance their infrastructure and expand community services.
These projects focus on addressing priority issues such as social isolation, digital connectivity, and the cost-of-living crisis.
One such project is the award-winning Trelya charity in Penzance, which has received £1.63 million to create the Gul Skills Community Hub. The investment has funded improvements to the charity’s Lescudjack Centre - including a new floor with learning rooms, a recording studio, and IT equipment - alongside the Gul Skills Project, which delivers tailored support in Maths, English, digital skills, life skills and wellbeing.
The Hub also features the Gul Skills Café, offering hands-on training in hospitality and catering to address skills shortages and prepare people for employment.
Find out more about the Good Growth Hub
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