Cornwall Link FAQs
Find helpful answers to common questions about using Cornwall Link, finding local services and getting the most from the platform.
About Cornwall Link
This platform helps you find information, support and opportunities in your local community. It brings together local services, groups, activities, events and volunteering opportunities in one place. You can also use the platform to connect with organisations and other people in your community.
The platform is for anyone who wants to find out what is happening locally, access support, volunteer or get more involved in their community. It is also for community groups, charities, voluntary organisations and other local organisations that want to promote what they offer. Anyone can browse public information. You will need to create an account to use some features.
Yes, this platform is completely free to use for local residents, groups and organisations.
No. You can search and browse public information without creating an account. You will need an account if you want to do things such as add a listing, volunteer to an opportunity, join conversations or networks, or connect with other members.
The platform is developed and maintained pro bono for the Cornish community by Made Open, a Cornwall-based B Corp technology provider. We manage content, support members and keep information relevant and appropriate. Read more about our sponsorship opportunities for local businesses here.
Finding information, activities and support
- Activities and things to do
- Local services and support
- Community groups and organisations
- Events
- Volunteering opportunities
- Community information and resources
- Local networks and groups
Use the search bar to describe what you're looking for. Smart Search understands everyday language and meaning, so you can search for something specific, such as “carers support”, or use phrases such as “activities for older people”, “help with money” or “things to do with children”.
You can also explore the main menu, where you'll find useful pages and links to help you browse by topic, place or type of support.
Search using your town, village or postcode. You can also switch between list and map views to explore activities, events and services in different places. You may also find dedicated pages for particular towns, communities or themes.
Try describing what you need in your own words.
For example:
- “I feel lonely and want to meet people”
- “Help with the cost of living”
- “Activities for someone with dementia”
- “Sport and fitness activities”
You can also browse the different categories to see what is available.
Usually, no. The platform brings together information provided by local groups, organisations and services.
Unless otherwise stated, the organisation named on the listing is responsible for providing the service or activity. Contact them directly if you need more information about what they offer.
Groups and organisations are responsible for keeping their information accurate and up to date. To help with this, all activities automatically expire after 12 months. Before an activity reaches its expiry date, the person who added it will receive email reminders asking them to review and update the information.
If they don't do this, the activity will be hidden from the platform until it has been reviewed and updated. This helps reduce out-of-date information and makes it more likely that the activities and services you find are still available. If you spot something that looks incorrect or out of date, please let the platform team know.
Yes. If you are logged in, select the favourite heart icon to save an activity, service, event or opportunity. You can then find it again from your personal account dashboard.
Events, volunteering and jobs
Search for events using the main search or visit the Events section or calendar where available. You may also find events on local or themed pages.
Open the event to see the booking information. Some organisers use the platform's booking system, while others may provide a link to an external booking website or ask you to contact them directly.
If you booked through the platform, you can usually manage or cancel your booking from your account. If the booking was made elsewhere, contact the event organiser.
Visit the Volunteering section or use the search to explore opportunities in your area. You can look for roles that match your interests, skills, location or the amount of time you have available. Open an opportunity to find out more about what is involved, who it is for and any particular skills or requirements.
When you find an opportunity you're interested in, open it and follow the instructions to register your interest. The organisation will normally contact you to tell you more about the role and discuss the next steps. Registering your interest doesn't commit you to volunteering, so you can ask questions and decide whether the opportunity is right for you.
Not usually. Many volunteering opportunities don't require previous experience or particular qualifications, and organisations may provide any training and support you need. Everyone has something they can contribute, whether that's their time, enthusiasm, knowledge, practical skills or life experience. If a role does require particular skills, qualifications or checks, these should be explained in the volunteering opportunity.
Volunteering is a great way to make a difference in your community while doing something that's meaningful to you. It can also help you meet new people, build confidence, learn new skills, gain useful experience and feel more connected to your community. There are many different ways to volunteer, from helping occasionally at a local event to taking on a regular role, so you can look for something that suits your interests and the time you have available.
Yes. Organisations can advertise local jobs, apprenticeships and work experience opportunities. Use the search or Jobs section to see what is currently available. Each opportunity will explain how to find out more or apply.
For groups and organisations
Create an account for your group or organisation and complete your profile. You can then add information about the services, activities, events and volunteering opportunities you provide.
- Listings (usually for services, groups and regular activities)
- Events (events with set dates and booking options)
- Volunteering opportunities
- Job vacancies, apprenticeships and work experience opportunities
Content must meet the platform's local content and moderation guidelines.
When you are adding and activity, use a clear title and description and think about the words people might use when looking for what you provide.
- Choose relevant categories and tags
- Add the correct location
- Include clear contact information
- Add a good quality image
- Explain who the service or activity is for
- Keep dates and other information up to date
This can help your information appear in searches, maps and relevant local or themed pages.
Location helps people discover activities, services and opportunities near them. It can also determine where your information appears across the platform. If your service covers a wider area or is available online, choose the most appropriate location or coverage option available.
New content may need to be reviewed by a community administrator before it is published. Moderation helps ensure that information is appropriate, useful and meets the platform's content guidelines.
Yes. Sign in to your account and find the content you created to make changes. We recommend regularly checking your information, particularly contact details, dates, locations and eligibility information.
All activities have an automatic 12-month expiry date to help keep information current. Before the expiry date, you will receive email reminders asking you to review and update your activity.
If you don't review it before the expiry date, the activity will be hidden from public view. It can be made visible again once you have reviewed and updated the information.
Don't create a duplicate. Contact the platform team and they can help you gain access to manage an existing organisation.
This depends on the content guidelines for your local platform. Where business content is permitted, it should meet the platform's eligibility criteria and provide a clear benefit to the local community. Cornwall Link allows businesses to promote services that have a clear community benefit to residents.
Organisations working with children, young people or vulnerable adults should have appropriate safeguarding arrangements in place. Depending on the platform and the type of activity, organisations may be asked to confirm that they have a safeguarding policy and designated safeguarding lead, and that appropriate DBS checks are in place for relevant staff and volunteers.
Our community administrators conduct an initial review before activities are published on the platform. However, we do not independently verify the information provided by organisations or monitor providers against minimum operating standards. Your participation in any activity listed on the platform is at your own discretion and risk. If you have questions or concerns about safeguarding arrangements, suitability or any other aspect of an activity, we recommend contacting the organisation directly before taking part.
Your account and connecting with others
Select Register, choose the appropriate account type and follow the registration process. You may be asked to verify your email address before completing your profile.
Check your spam or junk folder first. If it hasn't arrived, request another verification email. If you are still having problems, contact the platform support team. Misspelt email addresses are the common culprit!
Select Forgot Password on the sign-in page and follow the instructions sent to your registered email address.
Yes. Sign in to update your profile, contact information, image and other account details. Keeping your profile complete and up to date helps other members understand who you are and, for organisations, what you provide.
Your dashboard is your personal area of the platform. It brings together the things relevant to your account and allows you to stay in control. Here you can access and manage your profile, notifications, activities, badges, favourites, connections, messages and account settings.
Depending on the settings members choose for their profiles and team spaces, you may be able to:
- Connect with other members from their profile page
- Contact organisations
- Send direct messages to your connections
- Join conversations
- Join teams
You may see badges on activities or member profiles. They can be used to recognise particular achievements, skills, contributions or types of activity. A badge does not necessarily mean that a person or organisation has been independently verified. Members can apply for badges here.
Yes. You will receive platform or email notifications when someone contacts you or when there is activity relevant to you. You may also receive a personalised weekly Best Match email highlighting activities and opportunities based on your interests (set your Best Match tags to receive this). You can manage available communication and notification preferences through your account settings.
The platform can support linked sub-accounts for people who need help accessing or using it. Contact the platform team if you would like to know more about whether this option is suitable for you.
Taking part in your community
Teams are spaces where people can connect around a shared interest, organisation, project, place or topic. Some are open for anyone to join, while others are private and require approval. Teams can also bring together relevant events, volunteering opportunities and timebanking offers or requests in one place.
Yes. If you no longer want to be part of a team or network, you can leave it through the relevant team or network page.
Polls are a quick way for organisations and community groups to ask members for their views. Where a poll is open to you, simply choose your response and submit it.
Campaigns bring together information and opportunities around a community priority, project or cause. A campaign may include activities, events, volunteering opportunities, conversations and other ways to get involved.
Safety, privacy and support
Community administrators review content and help keep the platform welcoming, relevant and safe. Content that doesn't meet the platform's guidelines may be edited, declined or removed.
Everyone using the platform is expected to be respectful, protect other people's privacy and avoid abusive, discriminatory, misleading or inappropriate content or behaviour. You can review our guidelines here.
Yes. Use the reporting option where available or contact the platform team. Reports will be reviewed by the appropriate administrator or moderation team.
The platform follows UK data protection requirements and takes measures to protect your personal information. You can find more information about how your data is collected and used in the platform's Privacy Policy.
Check your account settings for the available account options. If you can't find what you need, contact the platform support team.
Visit the Help or Support section of your local platform. If you can't find the answer you need, contact the platform support team and they will be happy to help.