Pentreath was founded in 1990, originating from Cornwall Healthcare Trust, we moved forward in 1991 to become a registered charity and company limited by guarantee.
Pentreath offers training, work experience and employment opportunities to people in Cornwall who are recovering from mental ill health. Our trainees come from a wide variety of backgrounds, and are referred to us by Cornwall Partnership Trust (CPT) clinicians, GP's or by Job Centre Plus. Whilst mental ill health affects one in four of the population, there are approximately 7000 people receiving services from CPT. This suggests that there are a large number of people not engaging with traditional mental health services, Pentreath provides an alternative for them. We have linked into exciting developments within the Trust, such as the 'whole life' approach, a philosophy that focuses on developing a more humanistic approach of integrating people into community life.
People with mental ill-health can have few social contacts Pentreath recognise that supporting people to access facilities within their local community, is an effective approach to develop skills, raise confidence and boost employment opportunities. Pentreath services are led by the needs of the participants, therefore, we are continually changing and adapting our activities to meet these needs. Pentreath helps individuals to overcome multiple barriers to employment and increase their potential and as an organisation Pentreath relies solely on outside funding, due to its charitable status.
Adults with mental ill-health can be one of the most excluded groups in society. Although many want to work, less than a quarter actually do - the lowest employment rate for any of the main groups of disabled people. Recent statistics show that, in Cornwall, there are significantly more people on health related benefits as opposed to unemployment benefit.
In 2004, we supported over 850 people. Of these, 61 accessed paid employment, 6 accepted the challenge of self employment, 25 people chose further education as their preferred route and 20 people volunteered their services to various organisations.
