A NEW £500,000 facility in Calstock parish is on the brink of completion to give a vital lifeline of support for families and many learning opportunities for all ages under one roof.
Delaware Learning Centre has been five years in the making but will open its doors in January with a pre-school, children's centre and adult learning complex attached to the site of Delaware Primary School.
'It's fabulous,' said secretary of the Delaware Community Learning Committee Jo Grail, who is also headteacher of Delaware Primary School.
'This has all been community-driven because of the rural location and the lack of provision in this area. It's all about bringing services to the community.'
Mrs Grail said it was a 'tremendous achievement' that the committee had raised in excess of £120,000 towards the project.
'Because it started off as a school and community-based initiative it has taken a long time to access funding, but the children's centre funding has been made available, so the two things have become intertwined.'
The pre-school will finally have a purpose-built facility and adult education opportunities will be available both day and evening.
'We will be able to accommodate the learning needs for the whole community in conjunction with other groups that are currently operating in the area,' said Mrs Grail.
'The school ethos will be extended to the learning centre and with the pre-school and children's centre on-site we will be able to forge stronger links for the benefit of children and families.'
The family support will include all ante-natal and post-natal checks, health visitor clinics and baby weigh-in clinics, support and social groups and advice.
On site there will also be a Job Centre Plus for jobseekers and training for parents to help them with their parenting skills.
Presently, people have to travel to Callington, Tavistock or Saltash to access these services, which makes it difficult for those living in isolated locations, with no transport or limited finances.
Family Services area manager for Caradon Maureen Hunt said children's centres were based on the idea that providing early education, childcare, family support and health services all organised from one central place was a great way to give children and their parents the start they needed.
'Children's centres have to deliver these services for families with children under five but by working in partnership with the Delaware Learning Community we will be able to offer the full range of support services to all the families in the local area,' she said.