Cumbria Community Foundation - Annual Review 2021

12 13 GRANT STORY: RESTORE CUMBRIA GRANT STORY: EDEN CARERS Woodwork and gardening helping to tackle isolation Men in Sheds in Carlisle is delivered by Restore Cumbria and started out two years ago as a space for isolated men to get together and talk about mental health. It aims to empower those who have been disadvantaged or faced social exclusion due to crime, alcohol addiction, substance abuse, poor mental or physical health and unemployment. The community allotment, on Mount Pleasant Road, is closely linked with the Men in Sheds group. The projects received £4,913 from the Pappagallino Fund to contribute towards the project coordinators salary for two hours per week, along with materials, tools, and seeds. “We have people who struggle with addiction and mental health,” said Chris Harwood, who helps run Men Sheds. “We are transforming part of the allotment site using upcycled items that would otherwise end up in landfill. The food we grow we share with our friends on low incomes.” Restore offers help to people who are struggling financially or socially and is well placed to respond to the increasing demand for low cost, good quality pre-owned goods as more people find themselves suffering financial hardship as a result of the pandemic. The projects offer something different for anyone who wants to join in. Chris added: “A lot of people get lost in their project and others have described it as a kind of mindfulness in the sense that when you’re working on something, you can momentarily be taken out of your circumstances and just focus on what’s in front of you.” The project makes products and contributes to maintenance work in the community, which adds an extra therapeutic element to it, and as a joint initiative, Restore started ‘Feed our community’ to develop unused spaces and repurpose them for food growing, skill sharing and community building. Chris said: “People like that idea that they’re there to help others and through helping others you can end up helping yourself.” Taking a break from caring duties 13% of Cumbria’s population are unpaid carers – someone who is looking after a relative or friend who, due to a disability, illness, or old age, cannot manage at home without their help. Almost a quarter provide a staggering 50 or more hours of unpaid care each week. Eden Carers is one of five independent, geographically based, charitable carers organisations in Cumbria providing free advice, support, and respite to around 800 people. “It has been a challenging 18 months for everyone, especially those with an unpaid caring role. There has been no break from their caring,” said Dani Leslie, CEO. “We have been providing telephone and online support, however, there is nothing that can replace meeting up with others and taking a step away from caring for an hour or two.” The charity runs a monthly men’s hub, and it was one activity that was able to continue during the pandemic due to being able to meet outdoors. It is a self-help group where carers plan their activities, and it gives them respite from their daily duties. The cost of activities is usually met by donations but during the pandemic, Eden Carers was unable to fundraise. £600 from the Rowan Community First Fund meant that the monthly men’s hub, led by volunteer Mark, could continue to thrive, and offer subsidised activities that the carers would not normally participate in. Activities in the past have included bowling, darts, archery, golf, outdoor adventure, and walks. The men’s hub allows me to have a break from caring. I get to talk to people who understand what I am talking about, I don’t have to explain. We also, with the grant, can do activities that I wouldn’t make time to do because of my caring role. I can switch off and enjoy myself. “ ”