Cornwall Voluntary Sector Forum

22/10/2026

You may have heard about a critical security issue affecting PHP in the news this week. We're pleased to confirm that our hosting provider installed the patched version of PHP (8.4.27) across its entire infrastructure late yesterday evening. While awaiting the official release, it had also implemented custom mitigations to help reduce any potential risk. We're pleased with how proactively and professionally the situation was handled.

This serves as a timely reminder for all VCSE organisations to review their cyber security arrangements. Even small charities and community groups can be affected by vulnerabilities in widely used software.

A few practical steps:

- Check with your website host or IT provider that all critical security patches have been applied.
- Keep websites, plugins, themes and third-party software up to date.
- Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on key accounts.
- Ensure regular backups are being taken and tested.
- Review administrator accounts and remove any that are no longer needed.
- Make sure staff and volunteers know how to recognise and report suspicious activity.

Free UK cyber security support:

- The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) offers practical guidance for small organisations and charities: https://ow.ly/J5Rv510065U
- The Cyber Essentials scheme provides a recognised framework for improving cyber security: https://ow.ly/syVr510065V
- If your organisation experiences a significant cyber incident, support and reporting guidance is available through the NCSC and Action Fraud: https://ow.ly/Y0bu510065T

Good cyber security is about more than technology. It's about having robust processes, maintaining good cyber hygiene and working with trusted suppliers who respond quickly when vulnerabilities emerge. For VCSE organisations operating with limited resources, these foundations can make a significant difference.

22/10/2026

With Storm Austen nearly here, the Met Office has issued an amber wind warning for Cornwall from 1am to 10am tomorrow (Friday) when gusts of more than 70mph are expected. Storm Boelo will follow on Saturday, bringing southwesterly winds gusting 20-50+ mph, along with plenty of rain, potentially heavy and persistent at times.

As always, please look out for neighbours, friends, family members and others in your community who may be vulnerable or need extra support during periods of severe weather. A simple phone call, message or check-in can make a real difference.

Follow Cornwall Council for important updates and information on how to stay safe and who to contact if you need help or to report damaged power lines or fallen trees.

For non-emergency support, the Community Gateway continues to be available 7 days a week from 8am to 8pm and can be contacted on 01872 266383 or emailed via [email protected]

To stay up to date with the latest alerts on Storm Austen and Boelo, please check the Met Office website or follow their social media.
https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/

Storm Austen is on the way, with an amber weather warning in place across Cornwall on Friday due to dangerous winds.

Significant disruption is likely. Debris could affect roads, and power cuts are possible. If you need to travel, take extra care and consider whether your journey is necessary.

It’s worth preparing now in case of power cuts. Make sure you have torches, spare batteries, a charged mobile phone power bank and other essentials to hand.

Stay away from exposed coastal areas overnight and on Friday. Strong winds and large waves could make conditions extremely dangerous. Do not take risks, but if you see someone in trouble along the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

21/10/2026

We're proud to see Cornwall featured throughout NAVCA's VCSE Handbook for Neighbourhood Health. The examples highlight how partnership between the NHS, local government and the VCSE sector can strengthen neighbourhood health by:

✅ Mapping and building on existing community assets and partnerships
✅ Investing in sustainable VCSE infrastructure through Cornwall VSF
✅ Coordinating funding with Cornwall Community Foundation to get resources to grassroots organisations

Together, these approaches have helped strengthen community-led support, improve collaboration across sectors and direct investment where it can make the greatest difference to local people's health and wellbeing.

Read and download the handbook: https://ow.ly/m8Ji50ZZKKF

12/10/2026

12/10/2026

What a morning full of connections so far, getting ready for an equally busy afternoon!

Today we’re delighted to be supporting the World Mental Health Day: for Cornwall by Cornwall event at the Eden Project.

It's fantastic to see so many of our People in Mind partners, alongside organisations from across Cornwall, coming together to showcase the incredible support they provide to communities every day.

The spirit of today reflects exactly what People in Mind is all about: strengthening connections, sharing knowledge, and working together to ensure no one is left behind. By coming together, we can build stronger support networks and help people know where to turn when they need support.

Joining us today:
Age UK Cornwall & The Isles of Scilly Cornwall Mind Pentreath Ltd Volunteer CornwallFarm Cornwall Sunrise Cornwall CIC The Hugs Foundation Carefree Cornwall Georgia's Voice Supporting Young Women's Mental Health Newquay Orchard NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly and many more!

For more information about our partnership su***de prevention and mental health programme in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly visit: PeopleinMind.org.uk

08/10/2026

Today is your last chance to register! ⏰

Booking for 'World Mental Health Day: For Cornwall by Cornwall' closes at 7pm.

Don't miss this opportunity to meet organisations from across Cornwall's health, voluntary and community sectors, learn about local support services and connect with people who are making a difference to mental health and wellbeing across our communities.

When: Monday 12 October
Where: Eden Project in St Austell, PL24 2SG
Time: 12.45pm – 4.00pm (we sold out of morning tickets)

If you haven't registered yet, now is the time. Book before registration closes this evening.👇
https://ow.ly/tN0b50ZOMN6

06/10/2026

Could you help shape how people access health and care research opportunities across Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly?

We're seeking expressions of interest from VCSE organisations, freelancers, sole traders and socially minded organisations to help develop tools, resources and pathways that make it easier for people, particularly those from underserved communities, to explore and get involved in research.

This is an opportunity to help demystify research, improve access to opportunities and support more people to have their voices heard in health and care research.

The closing date is Midnight on Sunday 11 October 2026.

To find out more and submit an expression of interest visit:
https://cornwallvsf.org/supporting/vcse-brokerage-platform/ren-navigating-research-opportunities/

05/10/2026

We love to see when connections made through our People in Mind partnership turn into new opportunities for organisations to work together and strengthen the support available to people across Cornwall.

Following one of our People in Mind partnership meetings, Gentle Yoga Rebellion CIC and Age UK Cornwall & The Isles of Scilly connected, leading to a Chair Yoga session with one of Age UK’s North Cornwall groups.

It’s a lovely example of how bringing organisations together to share what they do can spark new ideas and strengthen existing support.

24/09/2026

Two weeks left to book your place! 📅

World Mental Health Day for Cornwall is fast approaching, bringing together organisations from across Cornwall's health, voluntary and community sectors.

Come along to:
- Network with local organisations
- Discover innovative projects and services
- Visit information stalls from a wide range of partners
- Explore ways we can work together to improve mental health and wellbeing across Cornwall.
Don't miss this opportunity to connect, learn and be inspired.

When: Monday 12 October
Where: Eden Project in St Austell
Time: 9.30am – 12.30pm or 12.30pm – 4.30pm

We hope to see you there.

Book your free place today.👇
https://ow.ly/Hf7N50ZOLUx

23/09/2026

All Saints’ Church, Killigrew Street, is open for residents affected by the Falmouth Docks evacuation. Pets are welcome. Follow Cornwall Council for more updates