Par Bay Big Local

The neighbourhood

The Par Bay area encompasses the villages of Par, St Blazey, and Tywardreath, with a combined population of approximately 9,000. Par Bay has developed a stronger sense of identity, particularly post-COVID, as residents recognise the importance of mutual support​. The area is rural and has related social isolation and transportation issues​.

Local assets include Cornubia, a multi-purpose community hub providing space for activities, events and workshops, facilities for film screenings, pottery classes, and a retail space showcasing local artisan work. There is also a community garden where residents engage in sustainable gardening practices.

The context

The area faces economic, social and infrastructure challenges, such as the decline of major local industries and limited public transport, which exacerbate social isolation and unemployment​. The area's infrastructure challenges make community-driven initiatives crucial for providing local support and opportunities.

• Social isolation and health concerns: The initiative was established to address the growing issue of social isolation, particularly among the elderly and vulnerable populations. The goal is to promote community support, companionship, and promote healthy living. Following recent decline of the local economy and services, many residents face loneliness and have limited access to essential services, affecting their mental and physical health​.
• Youth mental health and engagement: Young people in the area face significant mental health challenges, exacerbated by the pandemic. The initiative provides essential youth services aimed at improving emotional wellbeing, self-esteem, and reducing social isolation. Kernow Youth offers workshops on healthy relationships, mental health, and resilience, supporting young people in building confidence and social skills​.
• Economic challenges and unemployment: The decline of the china clay industry has led to economic hardships, including unemployment and poverty. The initiative aims to create economic opportunities through training and skill development​. MPower Kernow offers STEM training to residents, enhancing their skills and employability to help stimulate local economic growth. A local Warm Hub operates three days a week, serving over 2,000 meals annually, which for some are their only hot meals of the day​.

The model

Par Bay Big Local is built on a foundation of resident-led initiatives, which means that the people who live in the community play a central role in deciding what projects to pursue. This approach ensures that the projects are highly relevant and tailored to the community’s unique needs and priorities. The model promotes active participation and empowers residents to take ownership of local development efforts that increase social capital, health and wellbeing.

The initiative uses participatory decision-making processes to engage the community in shaping the direction and activities of the projects. This involves consulting with residents through surveys, meetings, and discussions to gather input and feedback. By involving residents in decision-making, it fosters a sense of agency and investment in the community’s future.

Projects are designed to address specific local needs, which have been identified through consultations and assessments. For example, the community centre, Cornubia, was established in response to a need for a central space where residents could gather, participate in activities, and access services. This targeted approach ensures that resources are directed towards the most pressing issues, such as social isolation, youth engagement, and economic development.

The initiative secures funding from a variety of sources, including the NHS, Big Local, The National Lottery, the local council, and private donations. This diverse funding base helps support financial stability and enables the continuation of essential services. The project also benefits from the support of local businesses and charitable organisations, which contribute both financially and through in-kind donations.

Volunteers play a crucial role in the operation and success of the model. They assist with organising events, running activities, providing transport, and offering companionship to attendees. The reliance on volunteers keeps operational costs low but also strengthens community ties by encouraging residents to contribute their time and skills.

The initiative collaborates with a range of partners, including statutory services, local businesses, and community organisations. These partnerships enhance the initiative’s capacity to deliver services and reach more residents. For example, collaborations with health services allow for integrated support, such as hosting NHS clinics and social prescribing sessions at the community centre.

What makes this effective and resilient

Leadership and local involvement

• Resident-led governance: The initiative is governed by a local partnership board composed of community members who have lived in the area for many years. This ensures that the leadership understands the community’s needs and priorities. For example, the chair, who has been involved since the project's inception, uses her deep community connections to guide the initiative.
• Community ownership: By engaging residents in decision-making, Par Bay Big Local fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility among community members. This involvement helps build trust and ensures that projects are relevant and sustainable.
• Building relationships: The initiative places a strong emphasis on building relationships both within the community and with external partners. This network of relationships helps to create a supportive environment that is resilient to change.

Sustainability and resourcefulness

• Diverse funding sources: The initiative's ability to secure funding from multiple sources, such as the NHS, National Lottery, and local councils, provides financial support. This diversification allows flexibility and the capacity to continue essential services even when facing financial pressures.
• Volunteer engagement: Volunteers contribute thousands of hours annually, fostering community involvement and expanding impact. For example, in the past year, volunteers contributed over 2,276 hours to various activities, from helping serve meals at the Warm Hub to providing companionship and transport services.
• Resourceful adaptation: The initiative has shown resourcefulness in adapting to changing needs and circumstances. For example, during energy price hikes, plans to install solar panels at the community centre were developed to reduce operational costs and promote environmental sustainability.

Collaboration with local services

• Programmes: Partnering with local health services and statutory organisations, Par Bay Big Local offers integrated support that addresses both social and health needs. This collaboration enhances the initiative’s impact by providing holistic care. For example, social prescribing sessions and NHS clinics are regularly hosted at the community centre, providing residents with easy access to healthcare support. There is also a partnership with local educational institutions to provide training and skills development opportunities, particularly focusing on young people and those seeking employment.
• Cross-generational engagement: The initiative bridges generational gaps by involving both young and older residents in community activities. Programmes like digital literacy sessions connect tech-savvy youth with older adults who need assistance navigating online platforms, fostering mutual support and learning.

What makes this challenging

Funding and resource constraints

• Financial uncertainty: Despite diverse funding sources, securing consistent and sufficient funding remains a challenge. The initiative must continually apply for grants and seek donations to sustain operations. For example, the need to cover increased energy costs and maintain facilities requires ongoing financial resources.
• Operational costs: The costs associated with running the community centre and other services, such as staff salaries and building maintenance, can strain the initiative's budget. The reliance on external funding sources adds an element of uncertainty and requires constant management effort to maintain financial stability.

Volunteer dependence and recruitment

• Reliance on volunteers: While volunteers are essential to the initiative’s success, dependency on them can be challenging, especially when volunteers are unavailable or unable to commit long term. Recruiting suitable volunteers with the right skills and availability is an ongoing challenge.
• Volunteer turnover: High turnover rates among volunteers can disrupt service continuity and require constant recruitment and training efforts. Ensuring a steady flow of dedicated volunteers is vital to maintaining the quality and consistency of services.

Barriers to youth engagement

• Transportation and accessibility: Engaging young people in a rural setting with limited public transport options poses challenges. Many young residents struggle to access services and activities without personal transportation, limiting their participation.
• Mental health challenges: The pandemic exacerbated mental health issues among young people, increasing the demand for support services. The initiative must address these complex needs while also managing the stigma associated with mental health support, which can deter some young people from seeking help.

Community perceptions and relationships

• Building community trust: Overcoming initial community scepticism and building trust takes time and effort. Some residents may be resistant to change or uncertain about the benefits of getting involved.
• Addressing social division: While the initiative has made significant strides in fostering community cohesion, historical divisions between different villages and social groups can present challenges to building a unified neighbourhood identity. This includes overcoming suspicion of young people by older residents, exemplified by a local woman who was initially sceptical but eventually brought cupcakes to share with the young people, highlighting the potential for positive relationships and community integration.

Impact and outcomes

Quantitative measures

• The initiative tracks the number of participants in various programmes and activities to gauge engagement levels. This includes recording attendance at events, workshops, and sessions offered through the community centre and other initiatives.
• The Warm Hub reports over 5,819 attendances annually, reflecting its reach and popularity among residents seeking social interaction and support.
• Detailed records of service utilisation, such as the number of meals served, digital support sessions conducted, and health clinics hosted, provide evidence of the initiative’s impact.
• In the past year, the initiative served over 2,000 hot meals to elderly residents, highlighting its role in addressing food security and social isolation.
• Kernow Youth tracks participation across its various projects, measuring outcomes like improved school attendance, reduced risky behaviours, and increased involvement in community activities.
• In 2023, 5,185 young people participated in Kernow Youth projects, with 76 per cent of young men reporting increased confidence since joining the programmes.

Qualitative measures

• Personal stories and testimonials from participants provide rich qualitative data about the initiative’s impact on individual lives. These narratives offer insights into personal transformations, increased social connections, and improved wellbeing.

Before I came to the Hub, I didn’t know anyone, now I have so many friends” 
Resident feedback, Par Bay Big Local

• Participants often share stories of overcoming loneliness and gaining new skills, such as digital literacy, through the programmes offered at the community centre.
• Regular surveys and feedback sessions with community members help gather qualitative data on residents’ experiences and satisfaction with the services provided. This feedback informs ongoing improvements and adaptations to the initiative’s offerings.
• Surveys conducted after community events often report high levels of satisfaction and appreciation for the programmes, with many residents expressing how the initiative has improved their quality of life.
• In-depth case studies of specific projects or individual experiences provide detailed insights into the processes and outcomes of the initiative’s work. These studies highlight successful strategies, challenges encountered, and lessons learned.
• The Kernow Youth Impact Report includes case studies of young people who have benefited from their involvement, such as a resident whose participation helped her build confidence and leadership skills.

Long-term outcomes and legacy

• The initiative measures its impact on community cohesion by assessing changes in social capital, such as increased trust, cooperation, and mutual support among residents. This is observed through more active participation in community events and initiatives.
• The model has successfully bridged generational gaps, fostering interactions between young people and older adults, thereby strengthening community bonds.
• Impact is also measured by the initiative’s ability to build local capacity and promote sustainability. This includes developing local leadership, enhancing residents’ skills, and creating structures that support long-term community resilience.
• The transition from a Big Local project to a charitable trust signifies a successful move towards sustainability, ensuring the continuation of services and community benefits beyond initial funding periods.
• The initiative hypothesises that projects like the establishment of a community hub and the success of MPower Kernow contribute to long term economic and social improvements in the area. However, concrete assessments of their influence on local services remain to be developed.
• While the establishment of the community hub provides a focal point for community activities and potential improvements in local engagement, the direct impact on statutory services such as healthcare is not yet quantified. Ongoing efforts are needed to develop methods for measuring these impacts.

Evaluation and reporting

• Par Bay Big Local conducts regular evaluations to assess the effectiveness of its programmes and initiatives. These evaluations help identify areas for improvement and inform strategic planning.
• Monthly reports to funding bodies like the NHS include detailed evaluations of activities and their outcomes, ensuring accountability and transparency.
• The initiative uses structured frameworks to evaluate its impact, setting clear objectives and indicators for success. This systematic approach allows for consistent tracking of progress and outcomes.
• Kernow Youth uses an outcome wheel to assess the progress and achievements of young people involved in their programmes, capturing improvements in areas such as mental health, social skills, and educational attainment.