Cornish residents wanted for deprivation study

The Diocese of Truro said Cornwall was ranked 83rd out of 317 local authority areas for overall deprivation in 2019

People living six rural areas of Cornwall deemed "deprived" have been invited to take part in a study to share their experiences.

The Diocese of Truro said it had funded a research project focusing on the government's official measure of deprivation in England and whether it is appropriate for people living in Cornwall.

It said six schools serving those communities would also be researched to understand educational isolation and the challenges the schools face in accessing resources.

The six areas are St Blazey West, St Day, St Buryan and Sennen, Bodmin St Mary’s Ward, St Dennis South, Looe North and St Mary.

'Profound deprivation'

The diocese said efforts to recruit participants had been slow, and anyone aged over 18 living in one of the neighbourhoods is encouraged to get in touch.

It added the final report would be shared with local and national policy makes which is hoped to support better resources needed rurally.

It said the Cornwall Rurality Matters research would be used to demonstrate the "reality of living in Cornwall's rural neighbourhoods".

The project, which is being carried out by Plymouth Marjon University in Cornwall, said the research may contribute to more appropriate measures of rural deprivation by the government in the future.

Social responsibility officer for the diocese Joel Dougan-Davies said many people around Cornwall were living in "great need".

"There is great beauty in the rural communities of Cornwall, but unfortunately in many areas there is also profound deprivation.

'Vital'

"It is a vital part of the vision of this diocese to be good news for the most disadvantaged.

"This vision has many expressions, from debt coaching to afterschool clubs, but through this project we are campaigning for social justice and transformation."

Professor Tanya Ovenden-Hope from Plymouth Marjon University in Cornwall, who is leading the research project, said the findings would offer "insight" into rural living in Cornwall.

"Experiences of Cornwall’s rural communities really do matter, yet are little understood by policy makers," she said.

'Predominantly urban'

"We will investigate the lived experiences of people living in six of the most deprived neighbourhoods in Cornwall.

"We will take the time to hear about their lives and what it is to be part of their community."