Northern Fells Group Northern Fells Group (NFG) serves 3,700 residents in an upland area of over 200 square miles. The catchment area incorporates seven parishes – Ireby & Uldale, Boltons, Westward & Rosley, Sebergham & Welton, Caldbeck, Castle Sowerby and Mungrisdale. The charity has been providing needs-led support services and activities for over 25 years. The charity is run by a team of mostly part time staff who live in the local area, supported by over 200 volunteers. The majority of services and activities are free of charge and can be accessed by anyone regardless of age. The aims of the Northern Fells Group are to combat rural social isolation and exclusion; to alleviate deprivation; to improve access to services; and to enable people to remain independent, living in their own homes and in the area. Issues facing residents include fuel poverty, a lack of facilities such as shops, access to public services and transport, poor broadband and mobile phone coverage, increased fuel costs impacting the ability to travel to work and make other essential journeys, lack of central heating and the ageing population, predicted to rise to 59% over 65s by 2030. To respond to these, the Group has developed a range of services and activities, including a community minibus, a Village Agent service, Men in Sheds group, a Lend a Hand scheme, Benefits Awareness project and Holiday Play schemes along with social and recreational activities. CASE STUDY 80 Proud & Diverse Cumbria Proud and Diverse Cumbria is a volunteer-led CIC with a focus on being a strong, proud, supportive voice for Cumbria’s diverse communities. Initially established to support the LGBTQ+ community, the social enterprise has widened its remit to be diverse, inclusive and show equity for all. Their stated aims are “to educate, advocate, promote equality, diversity and inclusion in the region - in and out of the workplace”. Keen to offer more events for LGBTQ+ people outside of Carlisle, Proud and Diverse Cumbria organised the first Pride by the Harbourside in Whitehaven in September 2023 – a free event with chart-topping performers, which was repeated in 2024. Director Glenn Anderson said: “For the past 10 to 15 years Pride has been very Carlislecentral so we really wanted to bring it to our community here. “Nobody chooses to be different, but we should celebrate all those differences.” In August 2024, Whitehaven Colours Inclusion Hub & Café opened with the aim of becoming a community support hub to serve all members of the public, with a particular focus on the LGBTQ+ community, welcoming individuals of all ages, faiths, and religions. As well as providing a safe and warm space for all, the hub offers counselling services and signposting to other organisations. “Mental health is an ever-growing problem in coastal and rural communities and a preventative approach, where people have the right services to turn to, is essential,” said Glenn. “Our new centre and its services will help to change lives for the better.” CASE STUDY 81 Glenn Anderson
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