Some of the children in Cornwall’s most under resourced community of West Penwith will get a better chance to develop and thrive, thanks to a grant of £60,000 from Cornwall Freemasons to the Trelya charity. 

David Maskell, the provincial grand master for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, accompanied by one of his assistant’s Mike Pritchard and the acting provincial grand charity steward Alan Powell visited the Lescudjack Centre in Penzance to present Trelya executive director Sharon Rich with a certificate following their successful application for the grant. 

The Freemasons’ grant will support Trelya’s team to work with 90 local children from across West Cornwall’s most under resourced communities – where many are experiencing inequality and a lack of opportunity that is on a par with inner-city areas of London and Manchester. 

Through Trelya’s programme Skylar, children and families will benefit from a ground-breaking initiative that reduces inequality and provides a fairer start in life, ensuring they all have the chance to play, develop and learn in an enriching and educational environment. 

The project will benefit children aged three to eights years old facing significant inequality of opportunity. 

The grant will enable long-term, intensive support to children, including 15 hours a week in Trelya’s registered nursery; with one-to-one primary school transition support together with small group activities that enable continued academic, social, emotional and creative development. 

Trelya also makes home visits to establish and support positive routines at home while organising outside activities to provide new and positive experiences. Visits include trips to the seaside, theatre, art galleries and local farms. 

The charity offers specialist intervention around specific issues and challenges, together with family support that enables every family member to address the challenges they face and create a safe, nurturing, home environment. 

They also provides services in response to the cost-of-living crisis, providing immediate solutions to issues such as homelessness and food poverty. 

Trelya’s Ms Rich said: “We’re very grateful to Cornwall Freemasons for their generous grant which will give children and families facing the greatest challenges real opportunities to fulfil their potential and build positive futures for themselves and their community. 

“Thanks to the Freemasons we’re running a ground-breaking, exciting initiative aiming to reduce inequality and giving children a fairer start so they all have the chance to play, develop and learn in an enriching educational environment.” 

Cornwall Freemasons Mr Maskell added: “I’m very pleased we’ve been able to support Trelya with their hugely important project to help local children experiencing some of the highest levels of inequality in the country. 

“The radically improved performance of these children at school shows that Trelya’s work enables them to take full advantage of their education, transforming their life chances.”