Nine groups based near the Eden Project have been awarded grants from the Eden Geothermal Community Fund for projects that benefit local people and improve the environment or community facilities.

The £20k fund was launched in November last year, with applications received for a wide variety of projects across Treverbyn, Carlyon, St Blaise and Luxulyan parishes.

The projects supported span improvements to local recreation facilities, developing and resourcing outdoor learning environments, wildlife habitats and a sensory garden in schools.

They also include building welfare facilities in a forest learning setting for young people, running a mobile community larder, and supporting a community seed library and plant swap events.

Most of the projects are due to start soon and, as they progress, Eden Geothermal will be providing more information and updates on their website.

Eden Geothermal executive director, Augusta Grand, said: “The projects we’re supporting are a testament to the commitment and creativity of the many groups working to improve the local environment and facilities, to support their communities and to connect people to nature.

“We’re delighted to be able to help some of them, and are looking forward to seeing these initiatives move forward.”

The nine groups awarded funding are:

    • Treverbyn Community Trust: a year’s running costs for the Mobile Community Larder, delivering food support to where it’s needed
    • Trethurgy Village Hall: improvements to the village playing field (replacement goal posts; a new table tennis table; matting for a basketball area; new benches)
    • St Blaise Town Council: contribution to the refurbishment of Penarwyn Green play area (new spring rockers for the Under-3s)
    • Friends of Menacuddle Well: creation of a new path to improve access for the elderly and wheelchair and buggy users
    • Biscovey Academy: resources to develop an outdoor learning environment for use by pupils with SEMH needs and the wider school
    • Bugle School: transformation of the school field into an eco-friendly learning area that encourages wildlife and promotes pupils’ understanding of and connection with nature
    • Luxulyan School: creation of a sensory garden to provide a space for quiet reflection and commemoration
    • Cornish Acorn: construction of a shelter and welfare facilities in an outdoor learning setting for a young women’s group
    • Bugle Library of Things: promoting engagement with nature by setting up a seed library and running community plant swap events.