Almost a year after its launch in Falmouth, Active Plus Communities will be branching and starting up in Penryn next Wednesday (May 4)

During the past year the project has helped 147 people aged from 50 to 92 across six communities across Cornwall to build confidence, connections and community spirit. Of those helped, 75 per cent have health problems or disabilities and 54 per cent live alone.

Delivered by military veterans from Active Plus, the Big Lottery-funded project tackles loneliness and isolation amongst older people and supports them to become a resource in their community, helping themselves, each other and the wider community. It also enables more military veterans with physical injuries or mental ill-health to join Active Plus as volunteers and build their own confidence, self-esteem and prospects of employment, whether that is with Active Plus or elsewhere.

Managing director Tim Cocks said: "Active Plus Communities is all about people helping themselves through helping others. There is a real mutual respect between the military veterans who deliver the project and the people who attend. The experience in the room is incredible and it isn't long before strangers become friends, confidence grows and anything becomes possible.”

In addition to problem solving and team-building tasks, the project brings in service providers to connect people with the support and services available and give older people a voice in how they are delivered. It also helps people to stay safe through sessions on fire safety, home and on-line safety, crime prevention, first aid and CPR.

After a structured programme running over six weeks, groups continue to meet weekly with a military veteran mentor for up to 12 months and are supported to develop their own next steps, whether that is creating a group that is open to others, fundraising for charities or local causes, volunteering or developing community events and projects.

The Penryn group will run every Wednesday from 1-3.30pm at the Highway Community Centre. Anyone wanting to find out more can email tcocks@activeplus.org.uk or call 01326 567174.