One of Cornwall’s biggest woodlands is receiving a funding boost to get more people out in nature with the launch of a new creative, community and wellness hub.
Tehidy Country Park managed by Cornwall Council will see two former estate workers’ cottages renovated so it can house new activities to be run by creative and nature-based social prescribing practitioners.
The heritage and regeneration project is being funded by the UK government through a £151,000 award from the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Shared Prosperity Fund.
Located at the park’s Kennels Hill, one of the cottages will be transformed later this year into an artists’ residency with opportunities for artists to apply to base themselves at the cottage for free up until March 2025.
Cornwall Council is partnering with Creative Kernow to run the residency with further details to be publicised.
The other cottage is being transformed to become a community wellness centre including a therapy room, space for community events and rentable office areas. It includes a commission for artists to reimagine a derelict Victorian outside toilet building as part of an immersive art project called Poetry Privy.
There will also be a range of opportunities for organisations in the creative and wellness sector to deliver an extensive activities programme from this summer.
It includes a commission for artists to reimagine a derelict Victorian outside toilet building as part of an immersive art project called Poetry Privy.
The latest initiatives build on the work of two successful Tehidy-based organisations. The award-winning company Rogue Theatre performs regular shows at the woods and the Remembering Our Roots project offers one-to-one support in the therapeutic nature setting.
Cllr Martyn Alvey, Cornwall’s cabinet member for environment and climate change, said:
“This funding award will kickstart exciting new ventures to help bring new audiences to Tehidy and encourage many more people to get out into nature at this historic site.
“The project takes a heritage-led approach to sustainable regeneration at Tehidy and we hope it will attract a thriving new regenerative business community at the site, contributing to and promoting the long-term sustainability of this beloved community asset.”
To find out more see:
Tehidy creative and wellness hub project
Story posted February 12, 2024
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK Government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK by investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus.
Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth programme
Cornwall and Isles of Scilly have been allocated £132million for local investment through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. With a focus on green and inclusive growth, we’ll use our portion to achieve Good Growth for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, providing opportunities for communities and businesses and giving residents access to new jobs and training. For more information, visit https://ciosgoodgrowth.com
