West Cumbria Opportunities & Challenges 2025 78 79 VCSE EMPLOYMENT AND VOLUNTEERING Across Cumberland, there are an estimated 4,810 full time equivalent employees.10 Estimated number of employees in Cumbria Total estimated part time employees Full-time equivalent part-time employees Estimated full-time employees Estimated total full time equivalent employees Cumberland 4,222 1,407 3,403 4,810 Westmorland and Furness 4,818 1,606 3,883 5,490 Cumbria 9,040 3,013 7,287 10,300 Volunteers remain a crucial part of the workforce. Estimates suggest that in Allerdale there are 9,735 volunteers working an average of 700,907 hours which when National Living Wage figures are applied, give a value to volunteering of just under £7m. In Copeland, there are 5,341 volunteers working an average of 384,530 hours with an estimated value of £3.8m. But Allerdale and Copeland, in line with national trends are experiencing significant challenges in relation to paid and volunteer workforces. Immediately after the Covid-19 crisis in June 2022, 97% of organisations across the UK identified that the mental health of their employees and volunteers was their biggest challenge, with 82% concerned about staff burnout.11 These issues have persisted with estimates from 202312 suggesting that Cumbria is facing significant staff and volunteer recruitment and retention problems, notably around older volunteers. And whilst diversity within the sector in terms of Board leadership is improving gradually, continued efforts must be made to ensure appropriate representation from women, those with disability and those from black and ethnically diverse communities. DIVERSE COMMUNITIES The majority of the population in Copeland and Allerdale is White British,13 with 2% of residents in Copeland and 1.5% in Allerdale identifying their ethnic group as non-White. Multi-cultural activities and events that celebrate and enrich community life - via the sharing of food, heritage, music and art - are leading to an appreciation not only of the cultures of other nations but also the heritage and traditions that are associated with West Cumbria. Increasing number of individuals are arriving in West Cumbria looking for a haven from war, trauma and violence. In 2023, Copeland and Allerdale welcomed 23% (or 181 people) from Ukraine under the Homes for Ukraine scheme administered by the UK Government. Although the area has historically not hosted many people seeking asylum, numbers have been rising since 2022. Refugees and asylum seekers have travelled from countries such as Syria, Iraq, Eritrea, Afghanistan and Iran with many arriving in West Cumbria with significant mental and physical health needs.14 Whilst numbers remain comparatively low (Copeland and Allerdale have permanently resettled only 41 persons since 2019),15 tensions within some communities are visible and often divisive.16 There are also concerns that hate crimes are on the rise, although these are often unreported due to language and cultural barriers.17 Organisations such as West Cumbria Refugee Support Network, Anti Racist Cumbria, Multicultural Cumbria and alongside a Refugee Locality West Partnership are actively working to overcome such divisions with volunteering, health, sporting, educational and celebratory initiatives. 132021 Census: Office for National Statistics, https://www.ons.gov.uk/visualisations/censusareachanges/E07000026/. Also, https://www.ons.gov.uk/visualisations/censusareachanges/ E07000029/ 14Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Cumbria: Health Needs Assessment: Cumberland Council, 2023. 15Asylum Lead: Cumberland Council, 2024. 16In Cumbria, in the year to March 2022 Home Office statistics evidenced a 28 per cent increase in recorded hate crimes: Anti Racist Cumbria, 2023. 17Cumbria’s Police and Crime Plan 2021-2025: Police and Crime Commissioner, 2021. SEXUAL ORIENTATION Diversity in West Cumbria is also reflected in statistics regarding sexual orientation. Allerdale18 Copeland19 % Residents identified as: % Residents aged 16 and over identified as: % Residents identified as: % Residents aged 16 and over identified as: • 91.8% Straight / Heterosexual • 1.1% Gay / Lesbian • 0.8% Bisexual • 0.1% All other sexual orientations • 6.2% No response • 95.1% Gender identity the same sex as registered at birth • 0.1% Gender identity different from sex registered at birth but no specific identity given • 0.1% Trans women • 4.6% No response • 91.6% Straight / Heterosexual • 1.1% Gay / Lesbian • 0.9% Bisexual • 0.1% All other sexual orientations • 6.2% No response • 95% Gender identity the same sex as registered at birth • 0.1% Gender identity different from sex registered at birth but no specific identity given • 0.1% Trans women • 0.1% Trans men • 4.7% No response There are a several organisations operating in West Cumbria that celebrate diversity in sexual orientation. Proud and Diverse in Whitehaven and Always Another Way’s Colour Coded LGBTQ+ support group in Frizington are two such organisations that deliver regular celebratory events and offer safe spaces and support for people to build confidence and life skills, including a new dedicated space in Maryport delivered by Pride in North Cumbria. Predictions suggest that numbers of people identifying as LGBTQ+ will increase, specifically amongst younger age groups. Increased pressures are therefore likely to be placed upon the VCSE sector as well as statutory services to meet this demand, necessitating the need for the development of more proactive interventions and additional support, training and understanding of LGBTQ+ inclusion issues.20 DIGITALLY CONNECTED COMMUNITIES Digital technology provided a lifeline for many people during the global pandemic. It helped families keep in touch with loved one; it became a vital communication tool for agencies seeking to get support to those most in need; and it allowed for ongoing guidance and advice to be provided by West Cumbria’s VCSE sector to people experiencing loneliness or financial difficulties. Whilst West Cumbria’s VCSE sector were quick to adapt, some services have remained online. This has been helpful for some people, including those living in rural areas with limited provision. However, for other communities, the ongoing delivery of services online coupled with the emergence of new digital technologies and the availability of suitable digital equipment continues to highlight a gap between those who can access digital technology and those who cannot. Particularly for those on low incomes, people living with disabilities21 and some people living in rural areas with poor broadband infrastructure. The increasing use of digital technology has excluded access for many, leading to an observed digital poverty. Organisations from across the commercial and VCSE sector including Ability Net, and 3D360 are working in West Cumbria to address these challenges through the delivery of training and advice provision. This includes advice and guidance relating to online fraud, which is estimated to have cost Cumbria £10.3m, reported in 2,354 cases.22 “More than ever, not having access to the digital world means not having access to fundamentals of life. As a result, digital exclusion can exacerbate existing inequalities in society or introduce new inequalities. While the pandemic made us all more aware of the digital divide, it’s clear that more progress needs to be made to address digital poverty and its underlying causes.” 18Allerdale Local Authority, Northwest Region and England Country 2021 Census Area Profile, https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/sources/census_2021/report?compare=E07000026,E12000002,E92000001 19Copeland Local Authority, Northwest Region and England Country 2021 Census Area Profile, https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/sources/census_2021/report?compare=E07000029,E12000002,E92000001 20Family Wellbeing Data Analysis Summary: Cumberland Council, 2024. 21Disability Voices -Digital Divide Report: Healthwatch Cumberland, 2023. 22Cumberland Building Society using statistics from the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau, 2023. 23UK Digital Poverty Evidence Review: Digital Poverty Alliance, 2022.
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