Volunteer Cornwall has seen many changes since its establishment in 1978. Over the past 40+ years, it has developed various features in order to support community action…
1978
Originally Carrick Volunteer Bureau, the organisation is founded serving only one of the six district council areas.
1991-1995
With the establishment of three new district bureaux, the beginning of the 90's saw great growth, the growth bringing with it a change of name, becoming Cornwall Centre for Volunteers.
1996
With a foundation in the volunteer transport sector, it was with modest satisfaction that 1996 saw recognition with a visit from HRH Princess Alexandra, marking the annual coverage of 1 million miles from voluntary drivers. June 1996 also saw the organisation awarded the “Investors in People” standard, recognising strength in employee development and support.
1997
With a successful bid to the Department for National Heritage for a “Make a Difference” grant in 1997 an additional two outreach offices (one in Bude and another in Saltash) were established.
1998
Further successful bids meant that in 1998 the centre was awarded the contract by The Department of Employment to deliver the Voluntary Option of New Deal for 18-24 year-olds. After a year of success, the centre gained the contract for both the New Deal 25+ and Millennium Volunteers.
2005
The Year Of The Volunteer! 2005 was an exciting time for volunteering in the county with the annual stand at the Royal Cornwall Show receiving over 600 eager visitors. Later, a “Make a Difference Fair” launched by local MP, Julia Goldsworthy at the Carn Brea Leisure Centre attracted more than 100 exhibitors, providing information, advice, support and services to local people.
December saw an elaborate finale to The Year Of The Volunteer with 300 volunteers from across Cornwall taking to the ice at The Eden Project to celebrate.
2006
The bright, airy offices of Heron House became home, providing a modern, Twenty-first Century environment to a contemporary organisation.
Healthy Living Centre in Redruth established alongside a sister site in Penzance.
2008
The Cornwall Works Plus scheme was established aiming to counteract barriers to work in the county.
2009 - 10
April 2009 saw another change of name, to the now-familiar Volunteer Cornwall, and the launch of the Cornwall Celebrates Volunteering Awards.
Development of Chaning Lives principles with partners focusing on whole person's needs and aspirations in context of their family and community.
New Chair, Scott Bennett elected.
First Time Bank established in St Austell.
2011
Another move, this time swapping two rented offices in Truro for one central office which we purchased outright. Complete with PV panels and double cladded insulation, we were determined to minimise our carbon footprint.
Environmental projects exapand working with University of Exeter and a conference was held with in Penryn.
Due to central government cuts and refocus Cornwall's youth volunteering programme came to an end.
2012
Continuing cuts in funding cause the volunteer infrastructure to be cut back with the loss of dedicated offices across Cornwall.
Increasing work with health and care focusing on those most in need.
Random Acts of Kindness initiatives coordinated across Cornwall.
2013 - 15
New government back to work programme and further cuts in funding causes loss of whole department that supported volunteers into employment.
Development of Time Banks in Cornwall in seven locations.
Welcome Home established supporting people who are discharged from hospital.
Development of nationally recognised Bude Cleaner Seas Project with Environment Agency.
In its third year Cornwall Council's staff volunteering programme goes from strength to strength with a new partnership with Macmillan, supporting people and families affected by cancer.
Expansion of work supporting children and families and also volunteers in Community Hospitals.
In 2015 3,790 enquires handled from people interested in volunteering.
1,895,323 miles undertaken by volunteers in transport department supporting 6,383 children and adults to access services each month.
220 volunteers recruited and trained for Falmouth Tall Ships Regatta.
2016 - 17
ViVA promoting positive journey and friendship clubs for people with physical, learning or sensory difficulties grows with supported trips to Greece, Lithuania and Italy as well as participating in Special Olympics Cornwall and Food, Fun and Friends club with Cafe Chaos.
Community Makers established across Cornwall in partnership with Cornwall Partnership Foundation Trust.
Work commences on piloting voluntary sector involvement in the Early Help Hub to support children, young people and families.
New minibus up and running to support community groups across Cornwall.
Christmas loneliness campaign expanded with Diocese of Cornwall, Age UK Cornwall, Royal Voluntary Service and British Red Cross.
New Smartline project commences with University of Exeter, Coastline Housing and Cornwall Council.
Lead partner work underway as part of Transform Ageing programme.
New Chair appointed Emma Rowse.
2018
Expansion of strategic work with health and care system as part of Shaping Our Future.
Stoke Befriending project commences.
Social Prescribing programme instigated.
Liskeard Place-based Pilot project undertaken with public sector partners.
Attending Gold, Silver and Bronze command meetings to support emergency and acute care.
Forty year anniversary celebration and redesign of logo.
2019
New Impact Report launched.
Work with GPs expanded.
Work with Adult Social Care expanded.
Instigation of support programme for those people that feel that they have been abandoned by health and care system, known as High Intensity Users.
Work with Cornwall Council children and families across Cornwall through a network of One Vision Community Development Workers.
Work commences with NHSE and Cornwall Council on place-based transformation of services. St Austell Primary Care Network project instigated with St Austell Healthcare Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
Work commences on Embrace Programme.