The proposed new community hub at All Saints Highertown

All Saints Highertown has received a massive boost to its plans for the future with Cornwall Council’s decision to invest more than £600,000 in funding for the community hub.

Priest in charge, Revd Jeremy Putnam, said: “I really am over the moon that the councillors have voted to invest in the community in this way. In human terms this will make a tangible difference to the lives of many thousands of people over the coming years.

“The community centre is already used by between 600 and 800 people a week, and the new community hub will see that more than double.”

At capacity

The hub is part of the Truro Lifehouse project, that will see the church and its buildings redeveloped.

The church’s current community facilities are at capacity and are no longer fit for purpose. This has to change to enable the church to meet the needs of the growing community in that part of the city. Population of the parish is set to increase from 7618 in 2011 to 13-14,000 by next year.

Outreach

The reach of All Saints Highertown extends far beyond those who attend the church itself. It supports groups helping those who struggle with food poverty, financial insecurity, social justice, addiction, dementia, mental health and other isolating circumstances. It is also home to lots of  community organisations including the Girlguides, several choirs, a toddler group, and many others.

“This endorsement and the investment will go a long way towards helping this project become a reality, and that means we will be able to serve the community far better. There is no doubt that this will enhance the lives of many people,” said Jeremy.

‘For the common good’ – Bishop Philip

The Bishop of Truro, the Rt Revd Philip Mounstephen, has also welcomed the news. He said: “This is a fantastic example of the church and the community working together for the common good.

“Some will see this as an investment in some of that community’s most vulnerable individuals, while for those within the church community there will be the extra dimension of living their lives in the footsteps of Jesus. The net result will be a community that is strengthened and able to attend to the needs of some of its most vulnerable members, and for that we can surely all be thankful.”

The Cabinet of Cornwall Council voted to approve a grant of £612,000 towards the £1.9 million project. The council’s funding will match funds from the Diocese of Truro, the parish itself, private funding secured by the parish, some Section 106 monies from developers and, it is hoped, some EU money.

In addition, the Church Commissioners have committed £827,000 over six years, much of which will go towards funding people to staff the church and the community hub.