We have been working to support the community in Mousehole in many ways, from support during the Covid-19 pandemic to offering a warm place during the cost-of-living crisis, support for Ukrainian refugees and hosting community meetings.
When the Covid-19 pandemic hit in March 2020 we quickly pivoted to provide support to the community in Mousehole. Our support included managing an emergency grants scheme, providing expenses for volunteers and helping to co-ordinate a volunteer network to support vulnerable members of the community. We also distributed gifts to local people who were isolated and living alone.
The cost-of-living crisis is affecting many people in our community. To help we have introduced several initiatives including a children’s toy and clothes swap and opening the hall up as a warm place for people to spend time for free during the winter months.
When the war started in Ukraine we acted as a hub for donations of medical supplies, food and clothing for refugees fleeing the conflict. Several Ukrainian families have moved to our area, and we have supported them with weekly English language lessons and support including translation assistance for accessing benefits and accessing funding for clothes and baby supplies.
19 December 2021 marked 40 years since the Solomon Browne Lifeboat and Union Star tragedy. The lifeboat is the heart of the community and the disaster, which saw the loss of the whole lifeboat crew and everyone on the Union Star, has had a significant impact on the local community in and around Mousehole. To mark this significant anniversary, the Solomon Browne Hall hosted an exhibition on photographs, information and artefacts from the RNLI. We also organised a ‘wave of light’, handing out glass jars and candles to be lit in memory of the lives lost. This event supported the families of the people lost in the disaster in their efforts to raise funds to erect a memorial statue on the cliffs near the site of the disaster.
We regularly host village meetings and opportunities for local people to meet their local councillor. Our events and workshops are designed to create opportunities for the community to get together, including film nights, a community brunch and regular exercise classes.
By attending our events or hiring the hall you are helping to fund our community projects. If you would like to make a donation you can do so here.
“Thank you so much for your help. I don’t know what I would have done without you.”
Covid-19 emergency support recipient
“Thank you for all that you’ve done… We (the families of the Solomon Browne crew) that were there thought it was brilliant and a really fitting tribute as the lights were out. Very symbolic.”
Martin Brockman, Solomon Browne Memorial Charity
“Knowing the language gives me more confidence to speak with people living in the community. I enjoy the lessons and the time we spend together. We were also introduced a Cream tea tradition, which I absolutely loved. Thank you so much for helping us to feel welcomed. We are overwhelmed by the kindness and the generosity of the local people. It really helps us all to overcome the hard feelings being apart from our families.”
Katya, one of the Ukrainian refugees who have settled in our community
