Dear Community Volunteers, members and supporters
What a fantastic evening! We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended our Annual General Meeting (AGM) last night at Isambard House in Saltash, Cornwall. It was a brilliant night, and as always, well-attended, with over 30 people joining us, including volunteers, CEPL12 Members, local organisations, members of the public, and the Mayor of Saltash, Cllr Julia Peggs. Your support was both uplifting and deeply appreciated.
This past year has been challenging for us, as it has been for many organisations across the UK. We’ve faced rising overheads and a decrease in donations, but our mission remains steadfast: supporting people in the PL12 community, as we have done for the past 13 years. From mental health support to dementia care, companionship to social prescribing, our dedicated team of volunteers works tirelessly to provide vital services to those in need. These collective efforts are a true reflection of the strength and commitment that defines our Saltash community.
The AGM was a valuable opportunity not only to reflect on this commitment but also to provide Members with the chance to have their questions answered. We greatly appreciate those who submitted questions in advance and those who raised important points on the night. In the spirit of transparency, the reports addressing these queries, will be appearing on our website as soon as we can. The discussions were thoughtful and productive, reflecting a shared desire to see our organisation continue to support the community in new and innovative ways. Despite the challenges we face, it was encouraging to exchange ideas and celebrate the incredible ongoing impact we have together.
We were honoured that the Mayor of Saltash, Cllr Julia Peggs, opened the AGM and expressed her gratitude to CEPL12, acknowledging the work we do and confirming the Town Council's continued support. Cllr Peggs also presented Room to Reward prizes to two of our longest-standing volunteers, who have dedicated a staggering 13 years to Community Enterprises PL12 – and still volunteer every week in our Community Shop. Room to Reward is a Volunteer Recognition Charity that uses unsold hotel rooms to say 'thank you' and give time back to society's hidden heroes. The awards were gratefully accepted by Lorraine, our Shop Lead Volunteer, on behalf of the recipients. Their dedication is truly inspiring.
We also made a special presentation to Chris Cook in recognition of his tireless work in the Kitchen over the past couple of years. Chair Jo Grail presented Chris with a gift from all of CEPL12. Plus, in a heartfelt moment, one of our Kitchen volunteers made a surprise speech to thank Chris for his incredible efforts—a gesture that perfectly captured the spirit of appreciation and teamwork we all share.
Thanks again to everyone who came along—whether in response from the direct Members' email invite, from our website News poster on 1st September, or simply through word of mouth—we were delighted to see so many attend. Your involvement, interest and positivity in our work are key to our success, and your continued support is what keeps us moving forward for Saltash.
Once again, thank you for your belief in what we do. We look forward to continuing to offer the much-needed support to the many people in our community who rely on us.
Our Vital Services support 17,000 people each year; our volunteers provide:
Community Kitchen: Serving 300+ meals/month.
Fridge & Larder: Saving 10+ tonnes of food/year.
Memory Box: Supporting 100+ people/week.
Community Shop: Helping 40+ local artisans and producers.
Premises: Providing free office space to Citizen's Advice Cornwall.
Community Hub: With many local facilities closing, CEPL12 is the heart of Saltash, providing essential support and connection.
Once again, thank you to each and every one of you for your unwavering support and commitment to Community Enterprises PL12. Together, we are making a real difference in our community, and we look forward to many more successes in the future.
Warm regards,
Jo Grail
Chair CEPL12
For more information about any of our activities please check out our Facebook and Instagram pages, our website or pop into No 4 or 8 to find out more.
'Together we can, together we do'
War-barth ‘gan gallos War-barth ‘gan gwul
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