12 Annual Review 2026 13 Distington Community Trust Distington Community Trust led a project to transform a piece of wasteland in the middle of the village into a lively community allotment. Their vision was to create “a community hub for residents to meet in a central place, to strengthen social skills, encourage physical activity, promote creativity, combat loneliness and bring the community together as a whole.” The first plots were allocated in June 2025 and all 22 were soon full, with several people on the waiting list Distington Community Trust recieved a grant from the Matson Ground Fund to pay for a community horticultural worker to offer expert guidance, and the more experienced plot holders have also passed on their own tips to novice gardeners. The local community have given their time and materials whilst also holding fundraising events to buy equipment for the project Trust secretary Joy Jones said: “It’s been overwhelming, the response from the village. I’ve lived in the village for 19 years and would never have met all of these people if it wasn’t for the allotments. The Legion Community Garden, as the site is known, is much more than just a place to grow produce. It has become a new social hub for the village. A further grant, from the Fairfield Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund provided picnic tables, a covered gazebo and litter bins. Local resident Hugh, 76, explained how having an allotment plot has helped him. “It’s got me out the house. If I wasn’t here, I’d be sitting at home. It gets me some fresh air. We’re a big happy family. Everybody’s enjoying it here. NURTURING SENSE OF PLACE Creating stronger, inclusive communities FUNDHOLDER SPOTLIGHT In 2026, we celebrated the 20th anniversary of one of our most important relationships . The Roselands Trust Fund was established in 2006 to support disabled people and older people in Eden and South Lakeland. Since then, it has made over 80 grants to projects enabling disabled and older people to take part in activities such as sailing, art classes and swimming, as well as supporting carers and families. Andy Beeforth, CCF Chief Executive, said: “In 2006, the family behind the Roselands Trust became a pioneer in Cumbrian philanthropy when they chose to establish a fund with us. We do not underestimate the role this played in building confidence in our work, which laid the foundations for others to follow their example.” The Roselands Trust was also an early supporter of our annual Winter Warmth Appeal, investing in its development and leading to us raising and distributing millions of pounds in support of thousands of vulnerable older people. Thank you so much to Ken and all at Roselands Trust for your incredible continued support. Hesket Newmarket Community Shop As friends chat over freshly brewed coffee at a polished wooden table in Tethera Tearoom, it’s hard to imagine this cosy space was a shop storeroom just a few months ago. Local residents took ownership of Hesket Newmarket Community Shop in early 2026. It provides a vital service for people struggling to access towns and supermarkets, with a team of volunteers delivering goods to those who are housebound. It also houses the only post office and banking facility in a 200 square mile area of Cumbria’s rural Northern Fells. The management committee was keen to expand the shop’s role as a hub for the village to help combat rural isolation, loneliness and become a social space that could host events to support the community such as IT coaching sessions and dropins with healthcare professionals Twice a week throughout September, Tethera Tearoom hosted drop-in sessions for anyone looking for help with using the NHS app. Liv Tarraque, IT, Data and Quality Lead at Caldbeck Surgery was on hand, along with Patient Participation Group volunteers, to guide people through setting up and getting the most out of the app, using laptops provided by a CCF grant from the Fibrus Community Fund. Jean, who attended the first session said. “If you’re a certain age, unless you’ve got a grandchild to help you, you’re lost,” she said. “I’ve downloaded the app but I wanted to come along to check I’d done it right. She’s shown me extra things I can do with it so it has definitely been worth my while coming along.” Liv explained the challenges involved. “Some people didn’t even have an email address so I had to set that up for them first,” she said. “You don’t need a mobile phone to access the app, you can access it on a laptop or tablet so they can come and do that here. Local resident Liz said she found the session really useful too. She added: “I hope they will have sessions on other subjects – other technical things that older people can’t get to grips with. “It’s a social thing too. You come to have a good crack with people and catch up with everybody.” Chair Philippa Groves said that as well as more opportunities for older people to get together, she would also like to open up the hub to younger people. “What would be really nice would be to do a homework club, when kids get off the bus,” she said. “There’s not a lot for 14-16-year-olds to do so we’d like to organise pizza nights, that kind of thing.” The shop building has a huge amount of potential for further development. With their mission to ensure no one is isolated or left behind, they aren’t done yet. Jean gets advice from Liv Tarraque of Caldbeck Surgery Hesket Newmarket Community Shop committee Chair Philippa Groves, right, with local residents Hugh tending his allotment
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTI5NzM=