5 Lorraine explained how vital this support is. “Many of the people who access BDDA’s services face a combination of poverty, disability, long-term ill health, low income, social isolation, and are disabled individuals, carers, or people with chronic physical or mental health conditions. Many are digitally excluded, lacking the skills, confidence, or equipment to access essential online systems, including welfare applications. “All of these challenges make it harder to navigate the benefits system. Our services are personalised to make sure that they actually make a difference to the individual.” BDDA runs social activities, including craft sessions and dressmaking classes, aimed at tackling loneliness and social isolation. These are also funded by Cumbria Community Foundation from the national DCMS Know Your Neighbourhood fund, as part of Furness For You. Dressmaking tutor Jenny Le Roy witnesses firsthand the impact these activities have on those taking part. She said: “I’ve had students who’ve come who are so shy and just to actually walk in this building is a huge, huge step. I see the progression week by week, the confidence. It’s wonderful and I think it’s because the other students are so caring and supportive. We call it social sewing – the sewing, chatting… It’s lovely, really lovely.” on low incomes Dressmaking tutor Jenny Le Roy FUNDER SPOTLIGHT Vicky and Michael Robinson set up the Robinson Family Fund with the Foundation to support the homeless, people with drug or alcohol addiction, those with a physical disability, and aspiring young sportspeople. As well as Barrow and District Disability Association, other projects they have helped to fund include training costs for two welfare advisors with Child Poverty Action and a programme to educate young people in Barrow on the dangers of vaping. Michael Robinson explained why he and his wife had decided to give through the Foundation. “We are Cumbrians who are lucky enough to live in the Lake District, but we realise that there are lots of Cumbrians who are not so lucky and are in need. That’s why we asked Cumbria Community Foundation to direct our donations to those causes that are deserving, particularly in Barrow where we witnessed so much need on the tour of projects that we were taken on. “Those who work for the Foundation are very caring people and we know our donations go to the right people. Thank you Cumbria Community Foundation.”
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