Since 2007 Prime has been giving back to communities by donating a proportion of its profits to the Prime Foundation, a registered charity set up with the aim of enhancing education outside the classroom, improving physical and mental health and increasing wellbeing through recreation.
When Prime achieved financial close on the development of new key worker housing in Truro a pot of funding was made available to the Prime Foundation for distribution in Cornwall. More than 85 applications were received by the foundation and its board of trustees ultimately agreed to share the fund between five very worthy causes.
Saltash Community Shed is a community workshop where people come together to learn new skills, mend broken objects and engage in woodworking projects. They successfully applied for funding to install a new sharpening station which will extend tool life and reduce waste. The sharpening station will be available to the wider community and also for local tradespeople to use, helping the group to widen their network of support.
The Vehicle Surf Club CIC are a men’s surf group looking to combat men’s mental health issues and reduce social isolation. They work with a range of people including men facing isolation, unemployment, mental health challenges, physical disabilities, long-term conditions and those in recovery from addiction. The Prime Foundation have funded the purchase of wetsuits in larger sizes and a selection of beginner and progression surfboards to make the group more inclusive for diverse body sizes and ability levels. Dom, from Vehicle Surf Club said: “This is a huge boost for us and will make a real difference in both attracting and retaining members, and them having an excellent time when they are with us.”
Supporting over 12,000 people annually, The Dracaena Centre in Falmouth offers a range of groups for children, young people, families and older adults. The say that if their community centre was a stick of rock it would have “wellbeing” written through the middle of it. They asked the foundation to fund a wide range of sporting equipment, large and small to help them get children more engaged in sport, particularly those who are reticent to participate at school. The project is set to get people moving, and also encourage more local children to visit the centre and make use of its services.
All Saints Parish Church in Truro is similarly home to a variety of groups as well as being host to a foodbank. They applied to the Prime Foundation on behalf of their Toddle group, a volunteer-led playgroup for children from birth to school age, attending with parents or carers. The group offers social connection, learning and play for children, whilst encouraging their families to access support where needed. The group are looking to create an outdoor garden for children to learn about growing food, foundation funding will support this, whilst Prime staff have also arranged a collection to early years books to stock their library.
The fifth recipient of funding is Truro Memory Café, who meet twice monthly to help people living with Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia and their carers. The group is a vital lifeline to families facing huge challenges and at significantly higher risk of isolation. The Prime Foundation is funding the purchase of sensory and assistive equipment, games, an entertainer and an excursion to bring users together to laugh, relax and enhance their support networks. Organiser Ruth said the group was “truly thrilled” to learn their application had been successful.
The Prime Foundation will be checking in with the groups to learn how the funding has impacted them, and also releasing funding in other areas including Worcestershire, in 2026.
