Cornwall Link is a free community platform uniting people, groups and organisations in Cornwall with local support, services, events and volunteer opportunities.
The platform was conceived by Age UK Cornwall and Made Open in 2018 to help overcome the challenge of accessing support in Cornwall and is for anyone providing or seeking information and support in the county.
It is relevant to all ages, interests and needs, including family and child support services. It also helps health and social care professionals network and promote their services in Cornwall.
Even though the platform attracts around 4,000 monthly visits, Age UK Cornwall were unable to continue supporting the platform and so ended their software licence with Made Open in April 2023.
At this point, Made Open decided to keep the Cornwall Link running, covering the costs themselves.
The story of Cornwall Link
Starting life as a basic Wordpress platform, Cornwall Link shifted to Made Open's community software in March 2020 due to the urgent need to create an online support system for isolated individuals during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Public health recommendations at that time were to limit social interactions and stay at home. This resulted in anxiety for many of Cornwall's residents who relied on organisational and community assistance.
Many elderly people struggled to navigate everyday tasks and responsibilities. An ever greater number of people, regardless of their age, felt vulnerable and reached out to Age UK Cornwall for support.
The Cornwall Link demonstrated what a supportive community looks like in a crisis. From the 'Bodmin Bikers' delivering essential groceries to the door to local restaurants providing free warm meals, local groups and organisations used this platform during Covid to self-organise and provide a heart-warming display of kindness to local residents. Over 2,500 community activities have been added to this platform in the past few years.
Looking ahead, the main aim of the platform is to foster connectivity and reduce social isolation - connecting people and professionals with the services and social activities in their neighbourhoods.
As the online community grows to over 1,750 members, the Cornwall Link is fast becoming a two-way support system for people in communities to connect and collaborate with each other.
Indeed, research shows that social connections are key to experiencing a good later life. For many people this is about having an active social life; engaging with their community, pursuing hobbies and interests.
Our data shows that 53% of Cornwall Link visitors are over 50 years old, proving that people of all ages use the internet to find information.
Made Open are a B-Corp certified community technology company and a small local business located in Truro. Cornwall Link currently operates without any help or sponsorship from the public or voluntary sectors.
Consequently, Made Open are now seeking community partners for further support and development. If you'd like to get involved in the Cornwall Link, please get in touch.