Some of the children in Cornwall’s most under-resourced community of West Penwith, will get a better chance to develop and thrive, thanks to a grant of £60,000 from Cornwall Freemasons to the Trelya charity.
The Provincial Grand Master for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, David Maskell accompanied by one of his Assistant’s Mike Pritchard and the Acting Provincial Grand Charity Steward Alan Powell visited the Lescudjack Centre in Penzance to present Sharon Rich, the Executive Director from Trelya with a certificate following their successful application for the grant.
The Freemasons’ grant will support Trelya’s team to work with 90 local children from across West Cornwall’s most under resourced communities – where many are experiencing inequality and a lack of opportunity that is on a par with inner-city areas of London and Manchester. Through Trelya’s programme Skylar, children and families will benefit from a ground-breaking, exciting initiative that reduces inequality and provides a fairer start in life, ensuring they all have the chance to play, develop and learn in an enriching & educational environment.
The project will benefit children aged 3-8 years facing significant inequality of opportunity. The grant will enable long term, intensive support to children, including 15 hours a week in Trelya’s ‘Outstanding’ OFSTED registered nursery; with one to one primary school transition support together with small group activities that enable continued academic, social, emotional and creative development. Trelya also makes home visits to establish and support positive routines at home while organising outside activities to provide new and positive experiences. Visits include trips to the seaside, theatre, art galleries and local farms.
The charity offers specialist intervention around specific issues and challenges, together with family support that enables every family member to address the challenges they face and create a safe, nurturing, home environment. Trelya also provides services in response to the cost-of-living crisis, providing immediate solutions to issues such as homelessness and food poverty.
The grant from Cornwall Freemasons comes through the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is funded by Freemasons, their families and friends, from across England and Wales.
Sharon Rich, Executive Director from Trelya, said:
“We’re very grateful to Cornwall Freemasons for their generous grant which will give children and families facing the greatest challenges real opportunities to fulfil their potential and build positive futures for themselves and their community. Thanks to the Freemasons we’re running a ground-breaking, exciting initiative aiming to reduce inequality and giving children a fairer start so they all have the chance to play, develop and learn in an enriching educational environment.”
David Maskell from Cornwall Freemasons, said:
“I’m very pleased we’ve been able to support Trelya with their hugely important project to help local children experiencing some of the highest levels of inequality in the country. The radically improved performance of these children at school shows that Trelya’s work enables them to take full advantage of their education, transforming their life chances.”
