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Community Hub Spotlight: Pengarth Day Centre and Whole Again Communities

We are spotlighting the work of Pengarth Day Centre and Whole Again Communities (WAC) in Penzance. Mandy Shortt is the Community Buddy in Penzance, working across the Hub Network and employed by Pengarth Day Centre. She has provided this update:

“All the Hubs do the most amazing work, but most are known for their groups & activities; I didn’t want this opportunity to pass without mentioning the amazing December & Christmas activities held at Pengarth. It was magical not only clients & staff but visitors from the local community groups, such as the Carers & Friendship Group who shared Christmas Lunch & their Christmas event with Pengarth. Even the contractors currently working on the Garden House were invited in & enjoyed Christmas lunch alongside Pengarth’s clients.

“Every day throughout December Pengarth had something special, from the Makaton Choir, school choirs, ladies & male voice choirs, Kernow dancing, a magician, various singers, an amazing raffle, the Christmas Lunch & Christmas party, all of which culminated with an Abba tribute group performance on Friday 20 December. The whole month was full of joy, laughter & amazing entertainment. I supported a number of clients to attend & loved every minute, both them & me!!

“Pengarth has been a Day Centre for so many years now that people don’t always see how vibrant and vital Pengarth are as a Community Hub, they embody community spirit, everyone is always welcome & whilst there are clients who have additional care needs, there are many who attend for social inclusion, friendship and company. Pengarth team, staff and attendees being ‘the team’ I refer to, are so good at meeting those needs and offering a warm, welcoming and inclusive space.

“Pengarth are currently part of Tesco’s Stronger Starts Blue Token scheme (along with WAC) so we would like to promote that and encourage people to support them both.

“Pengarth are also having a Valentines event on Friday 14 February, planning a Summer Event on Bank Holiday Monday (6 May) and a VE Day Event in June.”

visitors at Pengarth Day Centre in penzance

visitors at Pengarth Day Centre in penzance

Elsewhere in Penzance, Whole Again Communities have now been in their new building in Treneere for a number of months.

Lizzie Sullivan, Founder and CEO of Whole Again Communities CIC (WAC), says:

“I created WAC so everyone could contribute something small to make something bigger. Whether it is a homegrown potato, a shared skill, or a kind word, it all adds up to a stronger, healthier community.

“At 65, I qualified as a fitness instructor to help over-55s live longer and better. If I can do it, so can anyone! WAC is a place where we support each other, try new things, and show that small actions really do make a big difference.”

A flyer for Live longer with Lizzie

Lizzie continues:

“Our purpose-built Treneere Community Hub stands proudly overlooking the Treneere roundabout, just a stone’s throw from the Princess May Recreation Ground. Though the building itself was completed less than a year ago, WAC is now celebrating its 12th year of serving Treneere and the wider community. In that short time, the hub has become a vibrant, bustling space where people from all walks of life come together.

“We are open Tuesday to Friday from 9am to 3pm, and we are much more than just a warm space. As a health and wellbeing hub, we offer a variety of services, from peer support workshops and gardening to creative writing, art, and healthy eating sessions.

“Our motto, “Community Led, Community Fed,” drives everything we do—whether it is our daily free soup or helping people improve their health, confidence, and sense of belonging.

“We are also proud to be CPD-accredited training providers, investing in our volunteers to help them gain skills and qualifications that can lead to employment. We offer plenty of volunteering opportunities, from cooking and gardening to helping with workshops and events. We are always looking for new volunteers to join the WAC family.

“The community has embraced the Treneere Hub as a true asset. The building is already bustling with regular room bookings, including the Penzance Montol Group mask workshops, Penzance Town Market Traders meetings, and pop-ups like Healthy Cornwall’s stop-smoking clinics and health checks, as well as debt advice sessions from South West Water and Community Energy Plus.”

a gardening/growing workshop, preparing for spring.

A WAC gardening/ growing workshop, preparing for spring.