How we've helped St Michael’s Housing Society

A century of community impact – St Michael’s Housing Society 

A co-operative society is approaching a centenary of supporting local people with quality housing in West Cornwall. 

St Michael’s Housing Society was formed in 1931 to address slums and poor housing conditions in Penzance. Local church figure Father Carr campaigned to raise funds to build 16 houses at St Michael’s Court. 

The society now owns 26 properties in the wider Penzance area, let to local tenants at below-market rates. 

The organisation is a Registered Society under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act. It has just one employee and is led by a board of volunteer trustees, who work to maintain the properties to a high standard. 

The society’s main income stream is rental income, and it seeks grant funding to carry out larger-scale renovations or acquire additional properties. In 1991, the team successfully secured funding to renovate St Michael’s Cottages, including the installation of gas central heating. 

Secretary Helen Barnicoat approached the Growth Hub for support when she began her role. A qualified accountant, she realised that St Michael’s could benefit from help to improve its governance, processes and understanding of the funding landscape. 

She said: “The Growth Hub has been fantastic over the years. I first got involved about four years ago when I took over the role. I wanted to make sure the organisation was going in the right direction. I was able to access support around trustee recruitment and training, and they pointed me in the direction of funding. 

“I’ve been able to dip in and out of support — having guidance from experts who know my organisation and where to signpost us has been absolutely invaluable.” 

Helen’s mother-in-law, Joy George, previously held the role of company secretary and recalls visiting each tenant in person to collect rent. 

“It was very special because I would see the tenants regularly when I collected rent. They were so welcoming — you build relationships with people and they become part of your life.” 

Joy believes community resilience is one of the reasons co-operatives like St Michael’s Housing Society emerge and thrive. 

She said: “Cornwall is a very special place for community projects because the support from local people is enormous — communities really do pull together.” 

Are you part of a co-operative, mutual or alternative-model business looking for support? Check out the Growth Hub’s dedicated webinars covering finance, bid writing and more.