Cornish Lithium Awards Over £17,000 to Boost Local Community Projects

Photo: Image of St Dennis Art Group who received an award in 2023, pictured with Zoe Richardson from Cornish Lithium (fourth from left). – Credit Cornish Lithium

Funding to support a range of community groups across Cornwall

Cornish Lithium has announced the recipients of its Summer 2024 Community Fund, awarding a total of £17,310 to 11 local organisations. The funding, aimed at enhancing community welfare, supports groups working in areas such as education, social welfare, environmental impact, and health and wellbeing.

Supporting Community Growth

The Cornish Lithium Community Fund was established in collaboration with the Cornwall Community Foundation to assist clubs, charities, and activity groups near the company’s projects. The fund is part of Cornish Lithium’s broader commitment to supporting the UK’s transition to renewable energy by ensuring a secure domestic supply of lithium—a key component in electric vehicle batteries, grid-scale electricity storage, and electronic devices.

Jeremy Wrathall, Founder, CEO, and Interim Chairman of Cornish Lithium, expressed pride in the company’s ability to support local communities. “As a Cornish company, we are proud to support organisations that benefit communities in the vicinity of our projects,” he said. Wrathall highlighted the growing footprint of Cornish Lithium’s operations and its commitment to social and environmental initiatives.

Tamara Sherston-Baker, Development Director of the Cornwall Community Foundation, echoed Wrathall’s sentiments, noting the importance of supporting diverse community projects across Cornwall.

Diverse Projects Benefit from Grants

The 11 organisations that received grants from the Summer 2024 Community Fund include a wide range of community groups, each with a unique focus:

• ClayTAWC, a community hub in St Dennis, will use its grant to produce the area’s monthly magazine, aiming to update it and attract a wider audience.
• Crofthandy Village Hall plans to build a secure storage container to accommodate equipment and materials for its many community events and activities.
• Georgia’s Voice, a charity focused on preventing suicide among young women in Cornwall, will use its award to support drop-in sessions at a new hub in Barncoose, Redruth.
• Imerys Bowling Club in Bugle will purchase equipment to maintain its bowling green, ensuring it remains one of the best in Cornwall.
• Imerys Singers, a ladies’ choir, will use its funding to buy music, hire rehearsal space, and secure the services of a musical director and accompanist.
• MHA Communities Cornwall will launch a new friendship group in the Tolgus area, aimed at reducing loneliness and social isolation among older people.
• Mount Hawke Youth Group will upgrade the café, lounge, and social areas of the Mount Hawke Skatepark, enhancing the environment for visitors.
• St Day Old Church, part of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site, will conserve its historic doors and floors, and install stage lighting to attract larger audiences.
• St Day Youth & Sports Association is creating an eco-friendly building for the local community, and will use the funding to install solar panels, a rainwater harvester, and electric car charging points.
• Sunrise Cornwall will offer free, supportive events and workshops in several towns to help those affected by suicide loss.
• Porthtowan Surf Life-Saving Club will invest in a new community inshore rescue boat and provide training for young adults to facilitate out-of-hours patrols at Porthtowan beach during the summer.

Looking Ahead

Cornish Lithium’s commitment to supporting local communities continues, with the Autumn 2024 Community Fund set to open on 19th August. Community groups in eligible parishes are encouraged to apply for the next round of funding before the deadline on 10th October.

For more information on eligibility and how to apply, visit the Cornwall Community Foundation website.

Photo: Image of St Dennis Art Group who received an award in 2023, pictured with Zoe Richardson from Cornish Lithium (fourth from left). – Credit Cornish Lithium