Lancaster
http://thecornerstonelancaster.org.ukWe are a community led charity that works across the City of Lancaster to promote wellbeing, mental resilience and positive community action. Based at two centres (City and South Lancaster) we focus our resources upon those most vulnerable within our community. This includes supporting people with mental health challenges, particularly those who have been bereaved, those with learning disability, the isolated elderly, individuals experiencing crisis, recovering addicts, new parents and, in partnerships, with refugees, cancer sufferers, those struggling with debt. Our activity includes Community Social Action activity, the development of bereavement support, volunteering opportunities and employability skills development for those with learning disability, young people and adults who have been long term unemployed, Emergency Response Centres, Befriending projects and Community Organising activity. We also operate 2 community hubs based in the City Centre and at Greaves.
Poverty Alleviation
The Cornerstone – Lancaster is at a critical point in its development, strengthening its services within the City Centre and developing a community-led resource in Scotforth Road. The challenges posed by the pandemic have also had a large impact upon our planned work and we have been proactive in our response to the challenges posed throughout the year. The closure of our Community Cafe and the reduction in room hire opportunities within our centres has given us some significant challenges in relation to the overall Charity. The impact of this has reduced the resources available to us to deliver our work. The pandemic has, conversely, created an increased demand for action, particularly through an increased demand to support those with poor mental health. We also see a significant challenge for those who have been bereaved during this period, we have the expertise but restricted capacity to open up and deliver additional support to this group. The appointment of the Centre Manager has been a pro-active move to under-pin the work of the Charity. The role is crucial in supporting the Chaplain, freeing up time to deliver the pastoral care which is so essential at the moment but also in developing the work of the Charity and securing the resources to deliver that work through charitable grants, donations and contracts. Building upon the strategy that we know works in the City Centre we will look to develop our services into South Lancaster too, developing the facility at Scotforth Road to enhance the impact of our mission in Lancaster. As we develop our work in a more focused way at Scotforth Road there will be additional opportunities to increase our income through trading there. We will offer an enhanced facility for hirers and through the creation of a Community Coffee Shop. Through the development of the Emergency Response Centre and the creation of the Social Action Hub we will increase the collaboration and engagement of the local community and ensure that all future developments are led and guided by those conversations and actions with residents. Closer links with the Local Authority and NHS will enable us to bid for contracts to deliver services through Social Prescribing etc. Investment in the Centre Manager role will ensure that The Cornerstone is in a strong position to ensure the needs and aspirations of our community are represented and supported as we develop our services. Through the Community Coffee Shop we will be able to offer additional opportunities for volunteering and training whilst increasing services to the community and to room hirers, including offering refreshments and additional services, the addition of wifi into the premises will also increase the attraction to customers, service users and room hirers. Our Scotforth Road income at present is small from the hire of rooms, developing the facility will enable us to reach out further into the community, meeting the aspiration and needs of residents in a more focused manner. The creation of "blended" activity will also increase our ability to engage with people both digitally and physically, enabling contact with isolated and disengaged people in more relevant and appropriate ways.
To develop a Social Media Strategy and content to promote the work and impact of LMC in the Lancaster District. To develop new partnerships and stakeholder relationships.
Posted on Feb 01, 2022