Truro Community Hub “Kemeneth” under construction
Construction is advancing for an extended community space to enhance a 200-year-old historic building in Truro City Centre.
Truro Methodist Church was awarded £952,705 through the government’s Town Deal fund for Kemeneth – Truro Community Hub.
Work started in October on the three-story extension, which is set to provide an additional 140 square metres of community space for the Grade II listed building to enable the church to continue its work welcoming in a broad spectrum of the community.
Construction is being undertaken by Poltair Construction. Earlier this month, the steel framework for the extension was erected. The building work is expected to complete in December this year, with the first events and activities taking place early in the new year.
Kemeneth is Cornish for “community” – it sums up the vision for Truro Methodist Church to welcome in all ages and walks of life to access support and a safe space. The church is already host to more than 100 community groups, from social prescribing and youth groups to counselling support and large-scale annual events such as Cornwall Music Festival.
Revd Mark Dunn-Wilson, Minister for Truro Methodist Church said: “We have been welcoming people into our space for almost 200 years, and creating a community hub has been a vision since 2017. We’ve noticed an increased need from people in Truro, particularly post Covid – with people struggling with mental health, isolation and loneliness, and just needing that companionship and a safe space.
“We’ve been supporting the community of Truro for a long time, and now we’ve been really listening to what the community needs and we’re working closely with other organisations who are experts – charities, the NHS, social prescribers. Kemeneth will provide additional space for us all. Everyone is welcome.”
The building extension will feature flexible, open-plan meeting and event space with options to adapt rooms depending on need. It will include latest audio-visual technology and a Changing Places toilet facility. Outside, the existing carpark will be remodelled to accommodate outdoor seating and a catering area.
Further to the Town Deal funded extension, Kemeneth will also adopt space within an existing building adjacent to Truro Methodist Church, providing smaller counselling and treatment rooms.
Alan Stanhope, Chair of Truro Town Deal Board, said: “Our vision through the Town Deal was to create a Connected River City, and through this a connected experience for people who live and work here. We developed our investment plan in 2020 during Covid, and Truro Methodist Church is now seeing the impacts of the pandemic on mental health and isolation.
“We’re so pleased that Truro Methodist Church is now forging ahead with construction and is making its mark in the city. Kemeneth will be a central place where people of all ages, backgrounds, faiths and orientations can connect.”
Truro Community Hub was awarded £952,705 from the Towns Fund and a further £500,000 match funded by Cornwall Council.
