Last week, Royal Cornwall Hospitals Charity hosted a networking event celebrating the impact of seven Cornish charities working to reduce isolation and loneliness across Cornwall and therefore pressure on the NHS. These groups received funding through the Community Partnership Fund from national charity NHS Charities Together.
As the lead charity for the region, Royal Cornwall Hospitals Charity secured £267,320 for Cornwall over a two-year period. This funding has enabled projects from Penzance to Bude, towards one single aim: ensuring no one feels alone at the time they most need support.
Each organisation has played a vital role in supporting people at different life stages and with distinct needs:
- The Nature Connections Programme at the Eden Project – improving wellbeing through the natural environment.
- First Light – providing specialist support for people affected by domestic abuse or sexual violence working with GP surgeries countywide.
- Home-Start Kernow – strengthening families with young children by offering practical and emotional support for parents with additional needs.
- St Petrocs – supporting people experiencing homelessness, helping them rebuild stability and connection.
- Penlee Family Centre – providing supportive sessions for mums in the ‘fourth trimester’ to build connections.
- Exercising for Mobility – helping older people in Bude maintain strength, independence and social contact.
- Pengarth Community Buddy – offering support for older or more vulnerable adults to join community activities that reduce isolation and build networks.
The event brought together a mix of stakeholders with varied interests and expertise, including NHS colleagues, local authority representatives, academics, corporate partners, and charities working across community wellbeing. The collaborative environment generated new ideas, strengthened relationships and highlighted the importance of collective action.
A thought-provoking panel discussion, hosted by the High Sheriff of Cornwall, Geraint Richards, explored the wider impact of loneliness on health, community resilience and the future sustainability of the NHS. Audience members shared experiences and insights, demonstrating just how many organisations and individuals are committed to addressing this growing challenge.
High Sheriff of Cornwall, Geraint Richards, said:
“It was an honour to be asked to Chair the recent RCHT event that focussed on Reducing Social Isolation and Loneliness in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Social Isolation and Loneliness is a huge issue here and a major contributory factor to poor health, both physical and mental, placing further pressure on the NHS. The presentations and discussions at the event were wide ranging and whilst the scale of the problem was acknowledged, there a very positive ‘can’ do’ atmosphere in the room when it came to finding solutions, along with a genuine desire amongst those present to continue to collaborate in order to improve the situation. I certainly left both informed and inspired.”
“A clear message resonated throughout: loneliness is not simply a social issue—it is a serious health risk that places additional pressure on our NHS services. Yet alongside this stark reality was a genuine sense of optimism. The event highlighted a shared determination to take coordinated, long-term action to support people at every stage of life.”
Many attendees expressed a desire for this gathering to be the start of a wider movement for change.
Reflecting on the programme, Karen Murrish, Fundraising Manager for Royal Cornwall Hospitals Charity, said:
“Working with these seven projects over the past year has been truly enriching. It has shown the power of collaboration across organisations. Our greatest asset is the incredible people working closely with individuals in our communities, people who understand their needs and walk alongside them towards positive change. Being part of this journey has been a real honour, and the impact on beneficiaries speaks for itself through our series of short films.”
As this funding stream comes to an end, the need it addressed has not. Cornwall continues to face rising levels of social isolation, particularly among older people, young families, those living with health conditions, and individuals facing economic or rural disadvantages. Without ongoing investment, many of the services showcased at the event risk being reduced or lost entirely.
Royal Cornwall Hospitals Charity is urging local leaders, policymakers, businesses and the wider community to continue championing and supporting organisations working in this space. Sustained funding is essential to protect vulnerable people, strengthen community resilience and reduce long-term pressure on health and social care services.
By working together and by continuing to invest in the charities who understand our communities best we can ensure that no one in Cornwall is left to face loneliness alone.