GWR grant to support mental health and wellbeing of young people in Cornwall
Projects to enhance the mental health and wellbeing of young people in Cornwall are to receive a slice of a £20,000 grant from Great Western Railway.
GWR’s funding will add value to Headstart Kernow, a Cornwall Council-led partnership programme to develop resilience and mental wellbeing in young people.
As part of GWR’s franchise agreement with the Department for Transport, the train operator is committed to supporting community and not-for-profit organisations.
The Cornwall Community Foundation will use this funding to support its partnership with Headstart Kernow on a new programme enabling young people to access grants to support mental wellbeing.
CCF chief executive Tamas Haydu said:
“The Headstart Kernow grant programme is open to local community groups, projects and individuals via referral agencies, to promote resilience and the emotional health and mental wellbeing of children and young people aged 10-16.
“What makes this programme unique is that it is led and shaped by young people with the necessary support, training and guidance. Young people have the opportunity to be involved from start to finish and we are thrilled there will be a young people’s panel making decisions on applications.”
Examples of projects the fund will support include taking on a new hobby or sport, learning something new, accessing green spaces and meeting people through group activity.
St Austell and Newquay MP Steve Double said:
“I am delighted to see Great Western Railway supporting Cornwall like this. It is important that we all work together as we start the recovery from Covid-19 and that means supporting local communities wherever we can.
“I am particularly pleased to see support for Headstart Kernow. It is a great charity working with young people in the county and I am sure it will make extremely good use of the funding.”
GWR Community Manager Emma Morris said:
“We have a specific pot of money designed to support community and not-for-profit organisations. Previous beneficiaries of the Headstart Kernow programme have reported improved mental health and wellbeing and improved skills and opportunities, so we’re delighted to provide this funding.”
To find out more about Headstart Kernow please visit headstartkernow.org.uk
To find out more the Cornwall Community Foundation please visit cornwallcommunityfoundation.com
Notes to editors
First Greater Western Limited, trading as “Great Western Railway” (GWR), operates trains across the Great Western franchise area, which includes South Wales, the West Country, the Cotswolds, across southern England and into London. GWR provides high speed, commuter, regional and branch line train services, and before the covid-19 pandemic helped over 100 million passengers reach their destinations every year. GWR was recently awarded an extension to its direct award franchise (called DA3), which shall run up to 31 March 2023 with an option to extend for a further year.
Find out more here: https://www.gwr.com/about-us
The Cornwall Community Foundation (CCF) is an independent charity that invests in community projects to improve the lives of others in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. In 2020 the CCF distributed £1.6 million, of which £1.3 million was in response to the Covid-19 crisis.
Contact Information
John Carter
Media and Communications Manager
Great Western Railway
0845 410 4444