Community Development

The City Council hosted the Truro Community Development Project in 2004. This has been central to producing significant and tangible benefits for the community, from setting up community and resident associations, to the construction of community buildings and the provision of community training courses.

The project was underpinned by the extensive support from a number of agencies; Cornwall Council, The Primary Care Trust, Public Health and Cornwall Housing. This  took form from both operational and financial support. However, between 2012 and 2014 we saw the financial support diminish to a point where where the City Council became the only financial contributor. This was not a reflection on the value of the project, in the eyes of the individual organisation, but purely due to financial pressures. However, support and partnership working has continued and has been important to derive maximum benefit. 

‘The United Nations defines Community Development as “a process where community members come together to take collective action and generate solutions to common problems.”  It is a broad term given to the practices of activists, involved citizens and professionals to improve various aspects of the community, typically aiming to build stronger and more resilient local communities.’

Truro City Council’s Community Development service is designed to support communities to continue the great work they are already doing, organise events in communities, help them grow the use of their community centres and open areas and have strong, open and well governed community groups to deliver positive action in their neighbourhoods and bring communities together. We conduct surveys, consultations and hold open meetings as part of our community engagement package. 

Our main work is centred around the largest resident areas of the city, Truro City Council understands that Community Development leads to stronger communities which in turn leads to safer neighbourhoods and a greater wellbeing of the residents. We work with residents to bring communities together and we’re here to support, empower and inspire this to happen. We currently work with; Tregurra, Trevethow Riel, Treffry Road, Malabar, Beechwood Parc, Penn An Dre, Malpas Road, Trelander and St. Clements, Rosedale, Hendra and Kenwyn. We work with each of these areas at different levels and in different ways. This however is not exhaustive; we are involved with other community projects at a hands-on and strategic level.

Truro City Council’s Community Development Officer is Damien Richards. 

email: damien@truro.gov.uk or call: 01872 274766/mobile 07943111661