We are proud to share our latest impact report which reflects on the past three years, one of the busiest and most impactful periods in our 33-year history 🎉💜
This period from 2022 to 2025, has seen the formal recommissioning of VCSE Sector infrastructure, delivered through Cornwall VSF by Cornwall Council and the allocation and delivery of a £3million grant from NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly’s Integrated Care Board (ICB).
Our CEO Emma said of the report: “Our work is often unnoticed and unquantified, our impact isn’t lives saved, places improved or communities supported. Cornwall VSF works in the spaces between, every day doing our best to connect, support and promote the amazing work our VCSE sector does across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. We spend our time influencing, persuading, challenging and reassuring our public sector partners that this complicated, vibrant, innovative sector is THE place to put resources, time and money.
“Being able to tell our story of impact is important, we exist to support our sector, to connect it to wider opportunities and to promote the incredible impact it has on our people, our places and our communities.
“I’d like to thank my incredible team and trustees for their tireless energy and passion for our sector. Our funders for believing in us and our wonderful sector for supporting us and challenging us to improve.”
Read our full report and more of Emma’s thoughts via the link in bio
Happy Friday Everybody!
Some of you may be familiar with our work at Cornwall Voluntary Sector Forum (VSF) but for those of you who aren't, here's a little refresher of who we are, what we do, our aims and our values 🎯🤍
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ #HappyFriday #CornwallVSF #VoluntarySector #CommunitySupport #NonprofitOrganization #SocialImpact #SupportLocal #CommunityEngagement #CharityWork #VCSE #CVSF #Kernow #Volunteer #Cornwall #NHS
Today we’re proudly wearing green at our staff meeting and sharing one thing that helps us feel better when we need a boost of morale. 💚
From swimming and singing to yoga, getting outside, connecting with others, and doing DIY - we all have different ways of supporting our wellbeing.
Often, it’s the small everyday actions that help us feel more grounded, connected, and able to cope with life’s ups and downs.
This Mental Health Awareness Week, we’d love to hear from you - what do you or your team do to look after your mental health?
Working in the voluntary sector can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also be challenging at times.
That’s why, through our partnership with Care Coins, we provide anyone working or volunteering in Cornwall free access to a range of health and wellbeing benefits for when they need it.
You can find out more about Care Coins on our website.
#MentalHealthAwarenessWeek #MentalHealthMatters
It’s #mentalhealthawarenessweek and the People in Mind partners will be out and about across Cornwall all week, sharing conversations about mental health, wellbeing, and community support. 💚
Today, teams from @chaosgroupuk and @volunteercornwall are in Aylmer Square in St Austell, joined by @activecornwall and @mandowncic down - supporting men’s mental health Cornwall, talking with local people about the small actions we can all take to support our mental health and wellbeing.
The team is also broadcasting live on @chaosradiouk Radio throughout the day as part of a special Mental Health Awareness Week programme. Have a listen here: https://chaos.radio
People in Mind is a partnership of VCSE organisations working with communities across Cornwall to support mental health and help prevent suicide.
Find out more here: .uk
#PeopleInMind #MentalHealthMatters #cornwallshinesalight
We are excited to announce that our Climate & Environment Alliance, in collaboration with the University of Exeter, are coming together with local communities to support the bid for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly to become a UNESCO Biosphere 🌿🌊
Based on a feasibility study by Dr Tiago de Melo Cartaxo, achieving this prestigious status for Cornwall and Isles of Scilly could help boost sustainable development, improve community wellbeing and protect threatened environments.
Cornwall VSF Climate & Environment Engagement Manager, Kirstie Edwards, said "The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Biosphere is a vibrant celebration of what is possible when environmental protection and sustainable blue and green economic development flourish side by side. At its heart, the Biosphere model is a bold commitment to long-term ecological resilience and community wellbeing, proving that when nature and people succeed together, the possibilities are extraordinary."
You can read the full article and learn more about the Cornwall IOS Biosphere project here: https://ow.ly/YXc550YVywR
As a part of the project, two workshops will be held at the Penryn Campus on Friday 22 May and Thursday 25 June. We would love for you to join us, to help spark collaborative ideation and to help us gather community feedback.
You can sign-up to the workshop on Friday 22 May here: https://ow.ly/7OSo50YVywT
#Cornwall #Biosphere
We’ve updated our jobs page with fresh opportunities across Cornwall’s voluntary and community sector.
Whether you’re starting out or ready for a new challenge, take a look at what’s available.
🌱 Your next chapter could start here.
👉 Visit our website to see the latest vacancies: https://ow.ly/2Ltl50YOWNc
We’re proud to share that in its third year, the People in Mind Community Wellbeing Fund (PiM CWF) has awarded £178,542 to support vital, community-based mental health and suicide prevention work.
The fund has benefited 20 voluntary and community groups running projects rooted in local communities - helping people to stay connected, build resilience, and improve wellbeing across Cornwall.
Alongside this, the latest PiM CWF Year 2 impact report shows the difference this work is making:
- 2,214 people supported last year
- Hundreds reporting improved wellbeing, confidence and reduced isolation
Behind every number is a person, and a community organisation making a real difference.
This fund is part of the wider People in Mind programme, managed by VSF and delivered by a partnership of 8 VSCE organisations.
The fund is made possible thanks to NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board (ICB) , @cornwallcouncil Public Health, and Sedel-Collings Foundation and distributed by @cornwallcommunityfoundation
Photo: WILD Young Parents project
#PeopleInMind #MentalHealthSupport #CornwallShinesALight #SuicidePrevention #WILDyoungparents #CornwallCommunityFoundation
Want to help strengthen and champion Cornwall’s voluntary, community and social enterprise sector? 🌱🫶
We are looking for passionate, values driven leaders to join our Board of Trustees here at Cornwall VSF and help shape a future where Cornwall’s communities can thrive.
As a Trustee, you will play a vital role in guiding our mission, strengthening our governance, and ensuring we continue to deliver high quality, impactful work across the VCSE sector.
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, and especially those with strengths in:
- Charity finance and procurement
- Legal compliance within the voluntary sector
- Workforce development
- IT & Digital (Including AI)
- Income diversification
You’ll bring leadership, strategic thinking and a commitment to Cornwall’s communities and the VCSE sector. Previous board experience is welcome but not essential—full induction and support are provided.
Deadline: Wednesday, 22 April 2026
Read our full induction pack and find out how to apply via our website: https://ow.ly/5PG150YFzw8
🌱 The pop-up research cafe is in full swing!
This is open until 2pm for you to share a cuppa and a chat with researchers and help shape how they make their work as engaging and inclusive as possible, so that everyone benefits.
@cornwall_vsf
Earlier this week our Community Safety Alliance came together to continue their work and discussions on building “a safer, stronger Cornwall” in partnership with the VCSE sector
Members heard insightful presentations from:
- @cornwallcouncil who provided learning on Cornwall’s approach to avoidable Domestic Abuse Related Death Reviews and avoidable deaths linked to drugs and alcohol, offering a compassionate and trauma‑informed insight on the complex social and psychological factors that sit behind these tragic losses.
- @cass_plus2022 who highlighted the valuable free support they offer to people navigating the court system in Devon and Cornwall.
The session ended with a workshop exploring how we can galvanise community spirit, strengthen cross‑sector relationships, and deepen understanding in response to the challenges our communities continue to face.
A huge thank you to everyone who contributed their expertise, reflections, and commitment.
Learn more about the Community Safety Alliance on our website. Click the link in our bio☝️
Gool Peran Lowen!
It's St Piran's Day and we are proud to announce the recipients of our 2025 VCSE Health Improvement Fund.
The VCSE Health Improvement Fund is led and managed by Cornwall Voluntary Sector Forum (VSF) and forms part of the broader Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board (ICB) funding portfolio, which is distributed by Cornwall Community Foundation (CCF).
At its heart, this fund operates on a fundamental principle: empowering voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations to sustain, maintain and enhance their vital services, creating measurable improvements in health and wellbeing outcomes for people and communities across Cornwall & Isles of Scilly while demonstrating the sector’s collective potential to reduce health inequalities.
In total, £111,545 was distributed to 15 grassroots community groups across Cornwall in 2025 as part of this fund. Cornwall VSF with funding from the ICB, awarded £100,000, which was generously matched by £22,000 from CCF donors.
You can read the distribution report on our website for an overview of funded projects and beneficiaries: https://ow.ly/9k0K50YpviZ
First image shows PZN Youth project based in Penzance.
#GoolPeranLowen #StPiransDay #VCSE #funding #Cornwall #supporting #communities #children #youngpeople #mentalhealth #health
Yesterday was a day to reflect, connect and refresh for the practitioners working on our People in Mind mental health and suicide prevention programme.
With insight and guidance from Cornwall Council’s Clinical and Psychology Lead, partners explored practical ways to strengthen the support they provide to people across Cornwall, while continuing to champion the person-centred approach that sits at the heart of their work.
People in Mind is built on collaboration, and we’re delighted to have created this opportunity for partners to learn together, share practice and deepen the relationships that make the programme possible.
We’re proud to work alongside:
Age UK Cornwall & The Isles of Scilly
@chaosgroupuk@citizensadvicecornwall@clearcornwall@cornwallmind@pentreath_mentalhealth@volunteercornwall@youngpeoplecornwall
Together, they have reached communities across Cornwall with vital support, helping stop challenges from developing into crisis.
To find out more about People in Mind, visit:/connecting/services/people-in-mind/
#CornwallShinesALight #MentalHealthSupport #suicideprevention
