We’re part of a network of rural community charities founded by prominent suffragette Grace Hadow in 1920. Grace, who also helped create the Women’s Institute, understood the problems facing rural areas, especially in the war years. She recognised the well-being effect of strong communities and the role that something as simple as a village hall could play in improving people’s lives.

The first RCC was in Oxford with Cornwall covered, initially, from an office in Bristol. In the pre-motorway era there were only occasional visits to the county from one, lone, officer driving down to what was then a remote and unspoiled corner of the British Isles.

Cornwall finally got it’s own Rural Communities Charity in 1946. Led by the Rev. John Pearce, most of its work was in providing support for parish councils, playing fields and village halls. It also provided marriage guidance counselling and welfare advice for the young and elderly.

As the organisation grew, its remit broadened into other areas of community life. Today CRCC is a large, modern charitable company delivering a wide range of services and support to Cornish people, community groups and the thriving network of more than 400 village halls and community centres that we helped to create.

Our current work falls into three main categories - Rural & Coastal, Education & Training and Carers & Wellbeing.