THE Trewithen Fund is a newly established fund, managed by the Lawhitton-based Cornwall Community Foundation (CFF), to support community projects that provide help to young people, often disaffected or disengaged, who are not achieving their full potential.

Research commissioned by CCF, Cornwall’s Vital Signs, demonstrated a need in Cornwall to support young people who have difficulty flourishing in the mainstream education system. The report also highlighted that 99,235 in Cornwall, 22% of the working population, have no qualifications at all. The Trewithen Fund is keen to fund projects, which work with young people to break down the barriers some experience, building confidence and resilience and developing vital employability skills.

CCF grants manager, Kirsty Philpott, said: “The Trewithen Fund is a great opportunity for groups in Cornwall who are intensively supporting young people to improve their lives to apply for funding support. More details are available on our website or by calling our grants team. The deadline for funding applications is September 7.”

Example projects previously funded by CCF include Carefree Cornwall that works with young people across Cornwall, ages 11-25, who are in and leaving care. Carefree Cornwall has a strong focus on peer mentoring to transform lives and employability skills. Cornwall Life Recycle, based in Camborne, restores donated bicycles. Participants work one to one with a volunteer who teaches them the skills required to complete the restoration. Cornwall Life Recycle works with young people with mental health difficulties or backgrounds, as well as young people at risk of being excluded from school.

Tamas Haydu, CEO of CCF, said: “We know from feedback, that carefully targeted support for vulnerable young people works and enables them to make the best of their lives. The Trewithen Fund specifically provides funding to organisations in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly delivering this support.”

More details about the Fund are available at www.cornwallcommunityfoudnation.com