Cornwall College backs the Lord Lieutenant’s fund for young talent

A gifted young athlete with no way to pay for the travel. A writer with a script ready for the stage and nobody to back it. A teenager with an idea for a machine and no route into the industry that could build it.

Cornwall College has picked the fund set up to help people like them as the single cause it will get behind for the whole academic year.

One cause instead of many

Cornwall College has named Young & Talented Cornwall, The Lord Lieutenant’s Fund, as its Charity of the Year for 2026/27. The choice brings staff and student fundraising together behind one goal: supporting young talent across the county.

In a normal year the college supports a range of fundraising activities and responds to requests from charities all over Cornwall. This time it has decided to focus that effort on one cause, to get the most out of it for the county.

David Atkinson-Beaumont, Vice President Curriculum & Students at Cornwall College Group, said: “We’ve chosen a charity whose values align with our own, one who also has a singular focus on improving the opportunities of those in Cornwall.”

Explaining the choice, David added: “Their aim is to ensure that talented young people are given the opportunity to succeed, regardless of financial need, physical challenges or background.”

What Young & Talented Cornwall does

Young & Talented Cornwall is a grant fund led by the Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, Colonel Sir Edward Bolitho KCVO OBE. It supports ambitious young people who may face financial, social or geographical barriers to reaching their goals.

Help comes through three awards.

All Talent

For young sportspeople, performing and visual artists, and creative young people.

Creative Writers

For talented writers who want to see their work in print, performed on stage or on screen.

Young STEM Innovators, The Spirit of Trevithick Award

For young innovators in science, technology, engineering and maths working towards their goals.

Fundraising across the campuses

Throughout the year, staff and students at Cornwall College will have chances to raise money for the fund through activities on its campuses. The partnership pulls the group’s community fundraising together behind a shared aim of creating more opportunities for Cornwall’s next generation of talent.

Details of the courses on offer are on the Cornwall College website, and more on the fund and its awards is at youngandtalentedcornwall.org.

Sir Edward said: “It’s great news that Cornwall College has chosen Young & Talented Cornwall as its Charity of the Year. Their support will not only make a real difference to the fund-raising effort but will also further spread the word of what we do.

“I’m really grateful to all those involved.”