Skip over main navigation
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
St Petrocs
Tagline goes here!
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
Get help Donate
  • Twitter
Menu
  • Services
    • Resource Centre
    • Accommodation
    • Health and wellness
    • Support for women
    • Skills and Employment
    • Winter services
  • Impact
    • Homelessness in Cornwall
    • Real stories
    • Reports
    • People. Project Cornwall
  • Get Involved
    • Fundraise for us
    • Events
    • Volunteer
    • Business club
  • Who we are
    • How we help people
    • Our team
    • Grants and funding
    • Our history
    • Contact us
  • Support us
    • Donate money
    • Donate useful items
    • Fundraising for St Petrocs
    • Regular giving
    • Business Support
    • Leave a legacy
    • Other ways to give
  • Latest
    • Events
    • News
  • Donate
  • Admin
    • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
  • Skills and employment

Skills and employment

By focusing on skill-building, education and employment training, we help empower individuals to break the cycle of poverty, unemployment and homelessness. 

Our Vocational Development Team works on an individual basis with residents, to identify their goals, skills and plans for the future, to support development which will ultimately lead to independence and employment. This programme provides support as long as each individual needs it, even beyond their time living in St Petrocs accommodation. 



Through a range of supportive activities and events, the programme creates opportunities for residents to explore their strengths, build confidence and reconnect with a sense of purpose- all at their own pace. These experiences are designed to gentle support residents in feeling more prepared and empowered to engage with the wider community and explore future opportunities, including employment. Activities include: monthly walks, football games, gardening, baking, dog grooming and more.

   

We have links with training providers and employers across Cornwall, and can inquire into training for skills that people want to develop, such as welding, screen skills and educational opportunities. They also develop relationships with employers, and help people to complete job applications, interview training and meet with employers. Some of our clients have gone on to work for Rick Stein’s, Biffa and more.  

“Experiencing homelessness can be quite isolating, and maybe people haven’t had good experiences around others... so we work to build this confidence, and when they feel ready to talk about their future, we’re here to help.” Ben Hawke, Vocational Development Service Manager

Explore more of our Employment and Skills work here



Published: 6th June, 2025

Updated: 15th April, 2026

Author: Alice Peters

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Latest

  • Supporting people and their pets

    Supporting people and their pets

    At St Petrocs, we recognise the vital emotional support and companionship that pets provide.

  • Bishop Fleming - Truro

    Bishop Fleming - Truro

    In the Truro office, we’re supporting St Petrocs, due to the essential support they provide in aid of those who are homeless or at risk, offering accommodation, outreach, and personalised help with health, employment, and finding long-term housing.

    By fundraising, we’re seeking to help them to continue this vital work and support more people in building safer, more stable lives.

  • Prince William visits St Petrocs at Nansledan to mark progress on homes tackling homelessness in Cornwall

    Prince William visits St Petrocs at Nansledan to mark progress on homes tackling homelessness in Cornwall

  • Tregothnan Private Garden Open Weekend raises £70,000 for St Petrocs

    Tregothnan Private Garden Open Weekend raises £70,000 for St Petrocs

    We’re incredibly grateful to share that St Petrocs was supported by Tregothnan’s Private Garden Open Weekend in April 2026, raising £70,000 towards our work to end homelessness in Cornwall.

Related

  • Winter Services

    Winter Services

    The winter services provide shelter for people experiencing homelessness to ensure nobody is left outside alone over the coldest months of the year.

  • Support for Women

    Support for Women

    The experience of women experiencing homelessness often looks different to men’s experiences, and can make you particularly vulnerable. If you are vulnerably housed, sleeping in a vehicle or at risk of sleeping rough please get in touch with our services.

  • Health and wellness

    Health and wellness

    Here, you can find out about the Health for Homeless clinics which operate in our resource centres and Freshfields, our counselling and helpline service.

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    We have 24 houses with 166 bed spaces across Cornwall. Find out more about our Supported Accommodation and information on how to get a room.

  • Resource Centres

    Resource Centres

    We have two resource centres in Cornwall, one in City Road Truro, and the Breadline Centre, Penzance. These centres offer those who are at risk of, or currently sleeping rough, support to find accommodation, alongside general advice and access to essential supplies.

  • Advice and guidance

    Advice and guidance

    If you are at risk of, or are currently experiencing homelessness, a member of our team can help you and can signpost you to relevant services. You can also find emergency resources here.

Most read

  • Useful Donations

    Useful Donations

    We have a specific range of items that are most useful to us to ensure that we have the most appropriate items to suit the individual circumstances of our clients.

  • How we help people

    How we help people

    Our ambition is to end homelessness in Cornwall. We have developed strategic objectives focused on four areas which contribute to achieving our mission: preventing homelessness, making homelessness an exception, making the experience of homelessness short and supporting people out of homelessness for good.

  • Homelessness in Cornwall

    Homelessness in Cornwall

    Cornwall has long had a shortage of affordable housing. Housing supply for local people continues to be squeezed with more and more properties being used as holiday accommodation.

  • Our history

    Our history

    St Petrocs has been working with people experiencing homelessness in Cornwall since 1986 years. Find out more about our history.

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    We have 24 houses with 166 bed spaces across Cornwall. Find out more about our Supported Accommodation and information on how to get a room.

  • Resource Centres

    Resource Centres

    We have two resource centres in Cornwall, one in City Road Truro, and the Breadline Centre, Penzance. These centres offer those who are at risk of, or currently sleeping rough, support to find accommodation, alongside general advice and access to essential supplies.

  • Steve Ellis

    Steve Ellis

    It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Steve Ellis. Whilst Steve had been very unwell, his passing has come as a shock to us all.

  • Other ways to give

    Other ways to give

    Easyfundraising and using our Amazon Wishlist are some of the simplest ways to raise money for St Petrocs. Every time you buy something online you could also be raising money for us at the check out.

  • Make a donation

    Make a donation

    Thank you for choosing to support St Petrocs. We believe that everyone should have a safe and secure place to call home. Your support will enable us to provide essential services for people experiencing homelessness in Cornwall.

  • Making a Difference

    Making a Difference

    The impact of our work has the power to transform lives and communities. Could you help us?

Sign Up to Our Newsletter


Subscribe

Helpful links

  • Get Help
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Work for Us
  • Volunteer Portal


  • Search
  • Sitemap
  • Accessibility
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Complaints Policy
  • Client Privacy Statement 
  • Safeguarding Policy
  • Sustainability Policy
  • Gift Aid FAQs
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube

St Petrocs is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales under number 12320784 and registered as a Charity number 1187077.

Registered office Peat House, Newham Road, Truro, Cornwall TR1 2DP    

Manage Cookie Preferences