Lighthouse Community Centre – a beacon of hope in Liskeard

In usual times Lighthouse Community Centre CIC, based in Liskeard, run activities and events for children, young people and families that inspire, educate, and help develop skills and confidence for future life. In this time of Coronavirus lockdown, both the needs of the families and the delivery of services have changed fundamentally.

School closures, job disruptions, lack of paid sick leave and health threats are impacting all low-income families, many of whom Lighthouse already work with. Many vulnerable members of the Liskeard community rely on school meals and feeding programmes to survive. “Through our centre we know many people who are living from pay-cheque to pay-cheque are extremely anxious and concerned about how they are going to feed and provide for their children in the months to come during this crisis. Most do not have savings or support systems to help.”

Lighthouse have used their funding from the Cornwall Emergency Fund to set up a COVID-19 Response Fund to alleviate the current stress on families. In addition, they have set up a Facebook support page, a telephone support service, food packages, hygiene packages, games/toys provisions and delivery services.

Clare Bevan, Lighthouse CEO, says “Since receiving CCF funding on the 27th March we have been able to meet the needs of so many people in our community. In less than 2 weeks we have already been able to deliver 46 large food and hygiene parcels to over 240 children, young people and their families. This funding will allow us to continue the great work we are now doing throughout the next 10 weeks.”