PCDT Latest News

PRESS RELEASE
6 October 2009

CELEBRATING TEN YEARS
OF HELPING THE COMMUNITY 

PCDT complementary therapist Wendy Stoten and her son Luke enjoy a cupcake or two

There were cup cakes and freshly-made fruit smoothies for all when Penwith Community Development Trust celebrated 10 years of working for local people.

The birthday party took place at the Acorn Theatre, Penzance, just round the corner from the former Cornishman building in Parade Street which became PCDT’s home in 1999.

All-day music courtesy of PCDT youth worker and DJ Phil Russell helped to get everyone in a party mood, and fun activities included Find the Granny in the Maze and What Does The Future Hold For You? fortune-telling sessions.

There was a serious point to the fun: PCDT’s Penwith PALS scheme befriends elderly people in the community so they don’t feel lost like the Granny, and its Skills Centre guides people towards a brighter future without the aid of a crystal ball.

The event showcased these and many other successful schemes run by the trust, and invited local residents and organisations to find out just how much PCDT can do for them.  People who have been offered help by the trust’s employment advisors to start their own businesses were on hand to show what can be achieved.

PCDT was set up to work towards the economic, environmental and social regeneration of the community.  Its role is to promote social inclusion by establishing and managing innovative, high-quality projects which directly benefit local people.

From small beginnings with a staff of four, the trust now employs more than 40 people. Current activities include a free counselling and complementary therapy service launched by the wellbeing department, and a horticulture project for young people run by the communities department.

Courses offered by the Skills Centre range from creative writing to confidence boosting and numeracy to digital photography.

Chief Executive Sue Guard said: “We have travelled a long way over the last 10 years and are proud of our track record in working with individuals and communities.  We have formed great relationships with other agencies and if we can’t help someone we usually know a man who can!”

For more information about PCDT, phone 01736 330045 or pop into the Penwith Centre, Parade Street, Penzance.

For further information, contact Sue Guard on 01736 334651

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