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We are the Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly branch of SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.
SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity is a trusted source of support for serving personnel, veterans and their families in their time of need. Founded in 1885, we’re extremely proud of our long-standing heritage and of all the work we do with inspiring people from Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, across the UK and around the world.
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Opening times: Monday to Friday, 09:00-17:00
Telephone number: 0204 566 9131
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We are open 09:00 - 17:00, Monday to Friday.
The team at Cornwall is dedicated to helping veterans, service personnel, and their families, in the local community. Our commitment is to provide support with experienced, non-judgemental and friendly advice, as well as a variety of practical services that cover a range of emotional, practical and financial issues. We are proud to say that we help our Armed Forces family whenever they need us, for as long as they need us. Here at SSAFA Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, we have a variety of different personalities that together make our team so special.
John Bessell spent 32 years in the RAF before returning home to Cornwall. He retains a deep respect for the support provided by all areas of SSAFA. keen to give back and to show we can reach deep into the community and make a real difference.
We love what we do. The sense of pride you get when you know you’ve helped someone get their independence and dignity back is extraordinary. Through volunteering for SSAFA Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, you’ll have the chance to meet some truly inspiring people, with stories you’ll never forget. You’ll also gain new skills and experiences, but most importantly, you’ll make a difference in the lives of those who have dedicated their lives, often at great sacrifice, to protect and serve our country.
You can help people in need by visiting, listening and talking to them, to work out the best ways to support them.
Help us by creating a local fundraising plan, organising events and liaising with appropriate stakeholders, helping raise funds for SSAFA.
Help us raise vital funds by representing SSAFA at local fundraising events, providing a friendly and approachable service to potential donors.
A group for serving armed forces, veterans and families to talk about wellbeing. One step up from the Breakfast Club chat over a cuppa, a semi-structured conversation to think about the challenges of transition from a forces environment to the civillian world. Friday Mornings from 10 am to 11:30am.
The regional office's telephone lines will go off at 3pm on the 22nd of December and will be switched on again at 9:30 am on the 2nd of January.
South Cornwall Events from the 11th to the 18th of January.
Georgia's Voice - Monthly online support group for young women from 18-25 living in Cornwall. with Charlotte from 6:30-7:30 pm. Email Kirsty at Kirsty@Georgiasvoice.co.uk to join the sessions. Dates throughout the 2024 year. January - 29th February - 26th March - 25th April - 29th May - 27th June - 24th July - 29th August - 26th September - 30th October - 28th November - 25th December - 30th
South Cornwall Events from early to mid-January. St Austell foodbank - Drop in energy advice 1-3pm 11th of January. Bethel Church, Redruth - Drop in energy advice 9:30 am -11pm, 16th January. St Austell Cost of Living Hub, Light and Life centre - Drop in energy advice 10am - 12:30pm January 18th.
Community Orchard Day and voluntary gardening session Sunday 14th January - Volunteer gardening session at Coronation Gardens/ King George Playing Field, Helston. Meet first at the scout hut. All equipment is provided, and anyone who attends gets free refreshments of coffee and cake. Contact Mellisa Ralph, the Making Space for Nature Manager if interested, at the phone number 07354 163236 or by email at volunteers@cormacltd.co.uk
Community Wellness Groups & Hubs in North Cornwall Events in January 2024.
Women's Wellbeing Hope Programme - Starts at Torpoint Library and Community Hub from 6-8pm every week for six weeks, beginning on Thursday 18th of January. Booking is required to attend the programme via torpoint.library@liscornwall.org.uk or by ringing 01752 812215. More information can be found at: https://www.volunteercornwall.org.uk/hope
Leaders Unlocked: Firstly, here at Naval Children's Charity, we are looking to revamp our ‘Chances’ programme, which is all about giving opportunities for young people to learn, develop and thrive. Now, we want our young people to help shape what opportunities we can offer them. So, we have teamed up with ‘Leaders Unlocked’, who specialise in enabling young people to have a stronger voice and influence the issues that affect their lives. We are looking for 12-25 year olds who come from a Naval family based in the UK to take part. These young people, in turn, will develop valuable knowledge and transferable skills, including leadership skills, co-design, and public speaking skills. Build confidence in working with peers and adult professionals. Expand their network with the professionals and the partner organisations involved with the project. They will meet diverse young people in the UK with a shared interest in making changes that benefit other young people. Be able to use all the above for their CV when applying for jobs or to Further or Higher Education- And if that isn’t enough, they will receive a payment of £70 for their time on the project in cash or voucher form. All the details are in total in the link below. https://www.navalchildrenscharity.org.uk/4550/ To apply, email NCC@navalchildrenscharity.org.uk for your application form and then forward your completed form to Alev Zahir at alev@leaders-unlocked.org by Friday, February 9th, 2024. The Outward Bound Trust: We have joined forces with our friends at the Annington Challenge and their Outward Bound Trust opportunities to offer a fabulous, adventurous treat. For any young people aged 10-19 ready for an adventure… then look no further; we have a unique opportunity for them to take on the Annington Challenge. This is the chance for young people to experience an Outward Bound course at a heavily subsidised price. Places are available for all young people, regardless of their parent or guardian’s rank. There is the choice of 5-19 day experiences in amazing locations. From rowing across lakes to camping in the wild, outdoor adventure will be at the heart of everything you do. All accommodation, food and equipment are provided. Apply via https://www.outwardbound.org.uk/the-annington-challenge now for 2024, and get ready for the summer of a lifetime! It only takes a few minutes. Artswork: If your young person is more interested in learning about Creative Careers and exploring pathways into Creative Work, then this is the perfect chance for them. To sign up for the program, simply fill out an application form at the link above to sign up for the program. If you have any questions about the programme, please email info@artswork.org.uk they’ll be happy to help. There will be five Saturday morning virtual workshops on the 9th of March, 22nd of March, 6th of April; 20th of April; and 4th of May, including talks with guest speakers, two one-to-one mentoring sessions, self-guided learning packages that you can complete in your own time and a digital badge on completion of the programme – find out more at ‘Your Creative Future’ at https://www.navalchildrenscharity.org.uk/4501/. Over The Wall: We are delighted to have teamed up with OverTheWall, a UK-based charity for children and young people with health challenges and disabilities, to discover a world of mischief and magic. Over The Wall provides a safe place to step outside of comfort zones, establish friendships and build confidence through meaningful and exciting activities and we have secured eight places at a selection of different camps. We are inviting applications from children and young people aged 8-17 years who are currently experiencing health challenges or have finished treatment in the last three years. Also, the invitation is open to children and young people aged 8-17 years who have a sibling (0 – 17 years) who is currently experiencing health challenges or has finished treatment in the last three years. There are spaces available at: South Health Challenge / Siblings Camp, Bryanston School, Dorset – Mon 8th – Fri 12th April Scotland Health Challenge / Siblings Camp, Strathallan School, Perth – Mon 8th – Fri 12th July Midlands Week 1 Health Challenge / Siblings Camp, Whitemoor Lakes, Staffordshire – Mon 5th – Fri 9th August Midlands Week 2 Health Challenge / Siblings Camp, Whitemoor Lakes, Staffordshire – Mon 12th – Fri 16th August You can apply directly here: https://secure.jotformpro.com/form/42643514508958 These are just a small selection of activities, clubs, and opportunities that The Naval Children's Charity does, so please see their website for more.
Food banks – Various food banks are now also providing furniture and bedding etc, so worth contacting. Transformation Cornwall has a list of all Food banks, with opening times, and details of how to access them. https://transformation-cornwall.org.uk/resources/update-on-cornish-foodbanks Cornwall Council Crisis and Care Award – Crisis awards are for those in emergency or disaster situations to help them and their families with immediate needs. Care awards help vulnerable people to live as independently as possible in their community. www.cornwall.gov.uk/benefits-and-support/crisis-and-care-awards/ Phone: 0300 1234 121, option 2 to make a claim. St Petrocs Society – support for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. http://www.stpetrocs.org.uk/ Freecycle - A national network, made up of individual local groups, listing items people are giving away for free. Lists change daily. You can register for the network nearest to you. http://uk.freecycle.org/ Gum Tree – National website which individuals use to advertise household items for free and to buy. http://www.gumtree.com/ West Cornwall Support GOFA (Good Old Furniture Available) – Penzance – Providing affordable household goods to people in on low incomes. https://www.gofa.org.uk/ The Hope Project, Shekinah Church – Penzance – providing new furniture and white goods to families and individuals in Penzance area. https://www.hopeprojectpz.co.uk/ Heartlands Furniture – Pool – providing preloved furniture to those on benefits and low incomes at affordable prices. https://www.facebook.com/Heartlands-Furniture-363905057057122/ Hidden Help – Devoran – Can offer second hand household items to people in the most need. They do not take direct requests for help, but referrals from eg. Social workers or voluntary organisations. http://www.hiddenhelp.org/ Mid Cornwall Support St Blazey Recycle Reuse Resale CIC – Recycling furniture and good household items, toys, clothes etc, selling at rock bottom prices & gifting to families in crisis. https://www.facebook.com/St-Blazey-Recycle-Reuse-Resale-CIC- 243060772940009/ Cornwall Children’s Clothes Bank – Truro – like a food bank, but for children’s clothes. Find the latest details on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1470866809891144/ St Austell Swap Shop – St Austell – for the community to bring items they no longer need, and swap for things they do need. https://www.facebook.com/St-Austell-Swap-Shop-2325581241001196/ East Cornwall Support Community Treasure Chest CIC – Liskeard – recycling community hub with affordable household items https://www.facebook.com/CommunityTreasureChestCIC/ Devon and Cornwall Furniture Reuse Project – Plymouth – refurbished furniture and appliances https://www.cpfrp.org/
