From community fun days and volunteering projects to garden makeovers and coffee mornings, here's a round-up of some of the activities that have helped bring residents together across Cornwall this summer.

First community fun day in Newlyn 

Residents in Newlyn came together for a community fun day at Gwavas Play Area. It was organised by the Community Action Newlyn (CAN) group, a partnership of local organisations including Penzance Town Council, Cornwall Council, Healthy Cornwall, The Centre and residents. 

The event marked the first summer fun day held at the play area and gave local families the chance to take part in activities including fruit kebab making, rock painting and litter picking.

The event follows significant investment in the Gwavas play area, with funding secured through the Shared Prosperity Fund helping to improve the park with new play equipment, refurbished facilities, seating and landscaping. 

Located in the estate where we have around 250 homes, the play area is a well-used community space, and the day provided a great opportunity for residents to come together.

With the local residents’ association recently reformed and partner organisations coming together, plans are already underway to build on this year’s success and have even more community events.

Roscadghill Kabin community volunteering project

The Roscadghill Kabin near Penzance had a refresh with a community improvement project that has helped update an important community hub.

With support from local contractors DWT and LiveWest colleagues, volunteers spent time repainting external areas, gardening and fence painting to help improve the appearance of the site.

The day formed part of a wider social value initiative, with our Community Connector Keri Thomas and two LiveWest colleagues helping to maintain and enhance the space. 

The Kabin is a valued community hub and provides opportunities for local people access support and take part in activities.  

Keri said: "It's been great to use a social value contribution from DWT to get the exterior of the Kabin repainted, and LiveWest staff volunteers to give grounds some tlc ready for Autumn.  We run regular coffee mornings and information drop-ins and welcome any ideas from the local community for activities we can run there."

Residents help with Aberfall House's garden project

Residents at Aberfal House joined forces with their housing officer and Community Connector Lorna Turnbull to give the scheme's communal garden a makeover.

Working together, residents cleared garden waste, removed broken ornaments and helped tidy the outdoor space, creating a more welcoming environment for everyone to enjoy. Support was also provided by Ellie Cliff from Bell Group, who used social value funding to supply compost, herbs and plants for the garden.

The improvements are set to continue, with plans for students from Penwith College due to build a new bench in September to replace the existing seating and help create an attractive outdoor space for residents to relax and spend time together.

Lorna said: "It was great to spend the afternoon with residents from Aberfall House giving their communal garden a well-deserved makeover. Residents came together to help refresh the outdoor space, creating a welcoming area for everyone to enjoy.

"We were also delighted to be joined by Ellie Cliff from Bell Group, who kindly provided social value support by supplying compost, herbs, and plants for the garden. Their contribution has helped bring new life and colour to the space, and residents are looking forward to seeing everything grow over the coming months.

"A big thank you to everyone involved for their hard work and enthusiasm. It was a fantastic example of partnership working and community spirit, helping to create an outdoor space that residents can be proud of and enjoy together."

Coffee morning drop-in sessions at College Green

Residents at College Green in St Austell have been coming together at a series of new coffee morning drop-ins designed to help residents feel more connected with the community.

The sessions provide a relaxed opportunity for residents to meet neighbours, share ideas, catch up over a cup of coffee and talk to LiveWest colleagues.

Lorna plans to continue the drop-ins every four to six weeks in the lead up to Christmas, finishing with a festive Christmas gathering for residents.

Looking ahead, residents will also have the opportunity to get involved in a new raised bed gardening project this autumn, with support from the Eden Project helping to bring the initiative to life.