Cumbria Community Foundation - Furness: Opportunities and Challenges 2021

F U R N E S S – O P P O R T U N I T I E S & C H A L L E N G E S 41 The Charity and Community Sector Charity Commission data shows there are 244 registered charities within the Barrow and Furness constituency area which broadly equates to the report’s area of interest. There are 99 based in Barrow, with 93 in Ulverston and a further 25 in Dalton. Most of these organisations can be viewed as small, with the majority’s income between £100,000 and £1m, with a further six reporting annual income of £1m-plus. The Barrow and Furness constituency area has the second lowest number of charities in the county (above only Carlisle). Barrow and Furness has one charity for every 355 people. In comparison, Westmorland and Lonsdale has 593 registered charities which equates to one per 143 people. As noted throughout the case studies and interviews with charity representatives, Furness benefits from the work of vibrant and dynamic non-profit organisations which are serving the community and their beneficiaries well. Ulverston has a particularly strong community sector with a remarkable programme of festivals, and ownership and management of the Coronation Hall vested with the community. This value of the community and charity sector was highlighted in the community response to the pandemic. The formation of the Barrow Borough Community Resilience Forum involved a partnership of public sector bodies, 30 charities and more than 100 people. County and district councils chaired the meetings which also involved representatives from health, police and the fire service as well as BAE, Citizens Advice Bureau and other organisations. At the heart of this were six charities funded by the Community Foundation: The Well, Love Barrow Families, Women’s Community Matters, Drop Zone Youth Project, Age UK Barrow, and self-harm awareness charity SAFA. The group’s main aim was to provide support for shielding individuals, in addition to vulnerable members of the community e.g. disadvantaged families, older adults, individuals suffering substance misuse etc. The Resilience Forum received Covid-19 Response Fund grants of £157,643 and supported some 3,000 residents. 3 Sport England Partnership working between charities, community groups and the public sector has been a major positive outcome from the pandemic. This is not always the case and charities have reported ‘silo working’ with individual agencies addressing single issues with individuals and families when often needs are complex and require a joined-up, multi-agency approach. An underlying concern for many groups is insufficient funding for their activities and services. Sport and Leisure Much of High Furness falls within the Lake District National Park. The Cumbria Way starts in Ulverston while the Walney section of the England Coast Path, a new National Trail, is now open. Grizedale Forest, managed by the Forestry Commission, hosts international mountain biking competitions and features dozens of cycling and walking routes as well as a zipwire and an education centre. Furness has a rich sporting history. 66% of residents participate in physical activity 3 , slightly above the national average. Barrow AFC returned to the English Football League in 2020-21 after a 48-year absence, and has retained its League Two status for 2021-22. The town’s professional rugby league club, Barrow Raiders, dates from 1875 and competes in League One, the third tier of the RL pyramid system.