Annual Review 2022 Transforming Lives
About Cumbria Community Foundation Living in Cumbria has some serious upsides. It can also be tough. Really tough. The beautiful landscape hides intense poverty and lack of opportunity. Two things that fuel each other. Cumbria has a strong history of community. People working together to face challenges. Cumbria Community Foundation exists to continue and build that. Since 1999, we’ve been bringing together people who love Cumbria to make our county stronger so local people can meet the challenges they face and achieve their potential. We’re grant making experts with deep understanding of Cumbria. Over the last 23 years, with the help of our supporters, we have raised and given out almost £60 million to more than 4,000 organisations and 8,000 people. The last few years have highlighted more than ever the need for community support. Whether you’re an individual or business wanting to make a difference, we offer a range of options to help amplify your giving. www.cumbriafoundation.org Front cover image: Seven members of Tanya Mulholland’s family fled the war in Kyiv and travelled to safety here in April. Now living in Newton Reigny, near Penrith, the family was supported by the Welcome Fund to pay for food and essentials. Trans fo rmi ng L i ves 2
Message from the Chairman Our theme this year is Transforming Lives. As we hopefully put the worst of the pandemic behind us and face the worst inflationary environment for decades, it has never been more important to equip voluntary and charitable groups with the funds they need to help transform people’s lives. During the year, I had the privilege to visit well over one hundred charities across Cumbria. Through the skills and dedication of the employees and volunteers, these charities are making a very real difference to the lives of so many fellow Cumbrians. It is humbling to see their work and their impact on the individuals they support. What was also great to see was the strength of communities coming together to support each other. In a way, communities are like strong families: ones which we at Cumbria Community Foundation want to help support, nurture, and strengthen during these very stressful times for so many people. We can only do this through the generosity of our supporters and their compassion for our community. You will see from this review that we have increased our programmatic, targeted work on top of our more conventional grant giving. In doing all of this we are privileged to use the knowledge and skills of our fantastic staff and volunteers to connect people who care with causes that matter. We continue to expand our supporter base and to seek more funding to enable us to support voluntary and charitable organisations in our county. The fact we are where we are today is a true testament to our supporters, past and present, our team of staff and volunteers and the wonderful organisations and individuals who we are privileged to be able to support. We would love to do more, and we need to do more. If you feel you can help, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Thank you very much for your support. David Beeby, Chairman 3
Transforming lives Addressing the needs of our communities and the root causes of the problems that they face is at the heart of our work. We research the needs in our communities and publish what we find in reports such as the Furness Opportunities & Challenges Report. The data was drawn from a broad consultation with local people, as well as government statistics, and will be used by local organisations, community and charitable organisations to help plan how they will work together to support those in need. Promoting positive changes is a long and complex process, so we bring together people and organisations from across the county, with knowledge and lived experience, to draw on their experience to help us ensure we get grants to the right places. Sellafield Ltd’s continued commitment to the Transforming West Cumbria (TWC) social investment programme has proved to be vital. Funded through their Social Impact Multiplied SiX Programme, TWC gets to the root causes of inequality and confronts the issues holding back the most vulnerable in our communities. Already making an impact, TWC has helped build the capabilities and financial sustainability of voluntary and charitable groups in West Cumbria. One beneficiary of the Bedrock Awards commented that their journey had been “transformational.” The West Cumbria Mental Health Partnership has been a great success. Formed to fulfil a void in mental health provision in West Cumbria, the partnership has helped voluntary and charitable groups to collaborate and provide a range of low-level mental health and wellbeing services to both adults and children. Visit https://wcmhp.org.uk for more information. Another way we are ensuring our grants get to the right place is to ensure the voice of our communities is reflected in our grant making and our #CanDo youth advisory committee ensures our youth are heard. Trans fo rmi ng L i ves 4 Some of the #CanDo Youth Committee members (L-R: Gabby Atkinson, Amie Todhunter, Toni-Anne Wardle and Arran de Mello. Amie Todhunter, 22 from Whitehaven, said: “The #CanDo youth committee is a great way to socialise and meet new people while also helping to fund important and necessary youthled social action in West Cumbria. Meeting people with the same attitude and mindset has been really important as we’ve all come together from different areas and backgrounds to discuss significant ways to help groups create their own changes in their area.” I have really enjoyed being on the #CanDo committee. It has strengthened my confidence and communication skills, I have learned the real value of funding and helping young people and organisations with their work. - Toni-Anne Wardle, 19 from Whitehaven
2 4 5 Objectives covered: building resilience supporting enterprise TransformingWest Cumbria 2020-2024 Building organisational resilience and sustainability Sellafield Ltd and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority are funding the initiative, which will be delivered by Cumbria Community Foundation. It aims to put local people in charge of their own futures by empowering neighbourhoods to create transformational change. The programme will focus on: The projects within the Transforming West Cumbria programme include these here: family wellbeing financial education mental health and wellbeing community activism inspiring young people Bedrock • Builds the resilience, capabilities and financial sustainability of third sector organisations delivering vital services in West Cumbria. • Co-designed and delivered in partnership with Cumbria CVS, Social Enterprise Acumen, Cumbria County Council and Cumbria Social Enterprise Partnership. • Bedrock comprises 3 programmes: – Bedrock Awards: Two-stage ‘award’ programme of tailored 1-2-1 support and development grants for established organisations. – Bedrock Basics: 1-2-1 advice and support programme. – Bedrock Digital: grant awards to develop digital know-how and service delivery. Inspires, encourages and nurtures, both new and existing social enterprises. • Co-created and delivered in partnership with Cumbria County Council, Cumbria Social Enterprise Partnership and Cybermoor Services Ltd, • The Spark programme offers 3 Levels of support: – Level 1 – THINK IT: Support to aspiring entrepreneurs and community activists to help understand the concept of social enterprise and consider it as a new business model. – Level 2 – TRY IT: 1-2-1 tailored support and development grants for new and existing social enterprises to help trial and test new ideas or services. – Level 3 – GROW IT: 1-2-1 tailored support and development grants for existing social enterprises to help increase impact and build sustainable business models. £5.5m fund to help West Cumbria’s most vulnerable communities Delivered in partnership by Cumbria Community Foundation – www.cumbriafoundation.org/transforming-west-cumbria 1 Resilient Economies Social Impact Multiplied Objectives: 2 Thriving Communities 3 Social Value Chains 4 Sustainable Incomes 5 Collective Impact 6 Improve Performance Key findings from Cumbria Community Foundation’s West Cumbria Opportunities and Challenges report revealed: More children in care than in any other part of Cumbria Low rates of business and social enterprise start-ups 3,900children in the West Cumbria region live in poverty 10,000 £10,000 households with an income of less than Teenagers achieve fewer GCSEs than the national average 1 in 4 people over 16 has no qualifications High levels of youth unemployment 20,000 More than people in debt Supporting entrepreneurial talent Spark • Empowers aspiring young entrepreneurs aged 10-25 to have their ideas and ambitions realised. • Annual competition delivered in partnership with Centre for Leadership Performance. • Positive Disruptors: – Breaks down barriers to engage and inspire young entrepreneurs from disadvantaged backgrounds. – Provides a package of support including grant funding, coaching, mentoring, inspirational workshops and visits to local businesses. Unlocking entrepreneurial spirit Positive Disruptors Improving financial capability Financial Wellbeing • Empowers people to address financial issues, break cycles of indebtedness and support families to thrive. • Co-designed and delivered in partnership with Allerdale Citizens Advice and Copeland Citizens Advice. • Financial Wellbeing provides: – 1-2-1 financial health checks and advice to individuals/ families, financial planning resources and information. Increasing mental health provision Mental Health & Wellbeing • Provides comprehensive mental health and wellbeing support to people with low level mental health issues in West Cumbria. • Co-designed and newly formed by the West Cumbria Mental Health Partnership. • The programme: – Builds a collaborative and sustainable third sector mental health provision for both adults and children. – Improves communication between statutory, third and health sector organisations. – Provides an improved service for people with multiple needs. – a positive catalyst for long-termchange 2 2 1 1 4 4 5 5 Objectives covered: Objectives covered: Objectives covered: 2 2 4 5 5 Objectives covered: • Improves the lives of some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children and families in West Cumbria. • Seven third sector partnerships have been funded to provide services that: – Give parent and families the confidence to actively engage and support their child’s development. – Support children to build emotional resilience, particularly at critical transition points in their lives. – Deliver early years (0-5 years) interventions and intensive family centred support. Working in partnership with families to improve everyday lives Family Wellbeing 1 2 4 5 Objectives covered: Inspiring youth community action #CanDo • Encourages young people aged 10-25 to make a positive difference to their community or local environment. • Projects, which are decided by young people, will raise aspirations and confidence by: – Empowering young people from disadvantaged communities to volunteer, lead change and take action in their communities. – Encouraging young people to have a voice, be heard and give back to their local community. 1 2 4 5 Objectives covered: 5
Plant an acorn and watch it grow Have you ever wondered where the Foundation draws the bulk of its income to make all the amazing grants that are featured in this review? Would you like to get involved but are not sure how? Or maybe the size of the grants seems a little daunting and out of the reach of your charitable giving? If the answer to any of these questions is yes – or even maybe – then read on. We maintain well over 100 funds - or pots of money - each of which is set up to address a range of issues in different areas of the county. Some of those funds are set up to make grants in the year they are donated. However, we also invest a number of the funds to ensure the voluntary and community organisations we work with can rely on us in the long term, and the investment returns help to fund our grants each year. How we hold the money, and how it’s spent, is often determined by the donor who sets up the fund. And the donor gets to choose the name of the fund. Some use their family or company name, whereas others prefer to remain anonymous such as those behind the Pappagallino Fund. Some of our donors are able to set up a fund with a significant donation from a legacy, the transfer of an existing trust, the sale of a business, or due to their good fortune and good will. We really appreciate their support. We are equally grateful to those who build up a fund over time. We call these our Acorn Funds, as we invest them, and the donor gets to see them grow and blossom into a fund that continues giving grants for years to come. There is no minimum donation for an Acorn Fund and no time limit on reaching the £25,000 threshold at which the fund starts making grants. Acorn Funds really are for everyone and can be set up by individuals as well as companies and other organisations. Bridget’s Magical Music Pot was set up in memory of Bridget Hilton by her family. Bridget was a teacher who believed in the power of music to bring people together and change lives for the better. Bridget’s family said: After her death, we decided to create a positive legacy that would open up new opportunities for more people to enjoy making music in West Cumbria. The Magical Music Pot is a grant-giving legacy that will help Bridget’s kindness and generosity live on. Trans fo rmi ng L i ves 6 This Acorn has a target of £50,000 and Bridget’s family and friends are well on their way to reaching that target with their many fundraising events and direct donations.
7 One Acorn Fund that reached the £25,000 mark recently was the Napthens Cumbria Fund. Set up in 2016 by local legal firm Napthens LLP, it has grown over the years through fundraising events such as clay pigeon shoots and rounders matches. As a regional business, we want our charitable activities to benefit the communities we serve. In Cumbria, it would be an enormous task to support causes individually and directly. In creating our own fund within Cumbria Community Foundation, we can count upon their extensive knowledge, experience and guidance to ensure that grants will be used to support many worthwhile causes over the whole area. - Jamie Allison, Head of Napthens’ Cumbria Jamie and his colleagues have enjoyed building their fund with the support of their associates and contacts and have now extended their initial £25,000 target to continue fundraising. From an initial donation of just £100 in July 2016, Napthens’ Acorn has been well and truly established and will continue to grow and flourish for many years to come. For more information on building an Acorn Fund, or any other information on funds, contact jacqui@cumbriafoundation.org
A fresh start and new experiences motivates young people at school Missing a few days of school here and there may not seem a big deal, but in some areas, school attendance dropped massively during and following the pandemic, threatening young peoples’ education. Young peoples’ charity, Brathay Trust, designed a programme called Elevate to support young people in Barrow-in-Furness who were failing to attend school. The programme was designed to help young people with their personal development, make positive choices and learn new skills and behaviours. A team of experienced youth workers supported 24 young people through group activities and weekly one-to-one sessions. Matt* was 12 when he started attending the Elevate programme after being referred by his teacher. Refusing to attend school, his behaviour was causing issues at home, and he needed the opportunity to go down a more positive path. Matt’s mum said: “Elevate has helped Matt’s attendance improve massively. I don’t struggle to get him to go to school like I used to. Sometimes, I had to leave work as he had walked out of school, but now he likes going.” Following a mountain biking session, Matt asked for a bike for Christmas and has continued to develop this hobby in his free time. “Mountain biking has motivated me to work hard at school and get a good job so that when I’m older, I have the time and money to do good hobbies like mountain biking, and not just mess around and waste my time,” said Matt. Young people also enjoyed activities such as canoeing, sports, indoor climbing, pottery, bushcraft, hiking, ghyll scrambling, music producing and indoor skateboarding/ scootering. Every young person in Year 11 who took part applied for Post 16 courses and are embracing the challenges of transition from school to college with confidence. Elevate has enabled these young people to seek and access support with confidence, which has led to positive engagement with school, families and peers. - Sarah Cubiss, Delivery Manager £20,464received by Elevate from theYoung Person’s Opportunity Fund *name has been changed Trans fo rmi ng L i ves 8
9 Woodland wellbeing for all When I’m at home, I just dream of being in the outdoors, making a fire and drinking hot chocolate. Ralf has been attending Watchtree Nature Reserve’s woodland summer school with his cousin for the last couple of years. The 205 acre fully accessible site is situated on the Solway plain, six miles south west of Carlisle. The former World War II airfield was chosen as a site to dispose of hundreds of thousands of animal carcasses during the foot and mouth crisis. Afterwards, to change the perception of the area, the local community decided to convert it to a nature reserve, which now attracts tens of thousands of people each year. Learning and wellbeing is at the heart of Watchtree Nature Reserve. The dedicated education zone – segregated from public access - offers a secluded woodland, a fire circle, den building and foraging zones, and woodland crafts, and lets children learn and make new friends in a natural outdoor setting. The charity prides itself on being accessible to all and offers a network of trails making it easy to explore and to experience wildlife. A grant of £3,387 from the Foundation was used to extend the trail network further into the woodland, and equipment was purchased to help volunteers to maintain the network. The charity also has a fleet of bikes called Watchtree Wheelers. With over 100 bikes suitable for all abilities meaning everyone can adventure out and explore the surrounding countryside. Kevin, from Carlisle, suffered a near fatal haemorrhagic stroke which left him unable to use the left side of his body. Watchtree has played an important part in his recovery, and he travels round the reserve on a trike. Watchtree is a wonderful, unique place for all ages and abilities to enjoy. It is made up of four different habitats, wetland, scrub, woodland and hay meadows and we have lots of native Cumbrian species, which now call this home. We try to adapt and maintain their habitats to keep them happy and keep them breeding in this area. - Ryan Dobson, Reserve Manager
Helping the world on our doorstep The Welcome Fund has been generously supported by many incredible fundraisers and donors – who have walked, sung, baked and even shared their special anniversary to support others. Thanks to them, the fund has supported more than 100 refugees arriving in Cumbria since the beginning of the year – with the youngest beneficiary being just 3 months old. Funding has supported the needs of people when they first arrive. Following difficult, lengthy and costly journeys to reach safety and sanctuary, many people arrive with little more than a small bag of clothing and personal possessions. Funding for short term food needs, robust shoes for a school age child, a smart outfit to attend interviews, support with the costs of a commute to work (before the first wage packet is received): these are just a few examples of the support the fund has given. Tanya Mulholland, of Newton Reigny, near Penrith, welcomed her relatives to the region following their escape from Kyiv and a subsequent lengthy journey across Europe. They have been able to make good use of £1,000 from the fund. We are so grateful to everyone who has donated to the Welcome Fund,” she said, adding: “It has been a major help with just basic things, but also has helped my nephew study online so that he can take part in an emergency programme to complete his exams and finish his studies. Many of the groups, hosts and refugees are working hard to support each other to overcome barriers providing moral and emotional support in the face of an uncertain future. The Welcome Fund continues to be an important part of that countywide effort to make a difference to people who have faced extra-ordinary difficulties. Tanya Mulholland with her nephews Volodimyr (standing) and Ivan (sitting), her aunt Larisa, cousin Galya and mother Nadia. Trans fo rmi ng L i ves 10
Collecting people’s warm generosity Hundreds of older people across our county are in danger of becoming ill each winter because of the cold weather. Our Winter Warmth Appeal saves lives, helping older people stay warm and healthy during the colder months. Winter 2021-22 was a recordbreaking year for the appeal. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we raised £222,819, which our delivery partners used to make 1,319 grants, benefiting 1,751 people, more than in any year since the appeal started in 2010. The appeal works in partnership with the four Age UK organisations across Cumbria and Copeland Age & Advice Service (CAAS). One of the great benefits of working with them as partners is that they develop a personal relationship with the people who apply for a grant, which means they can carry out a range of wellbeing checks. They can check their eligibility for benefits and help them apply, signpost them to other support and engage those who are isolated in activities and local groups. This year, more than any previous years, the Winter Warmth grant is crucial for older people to be able to afford to turn on the heating. Bluntly put, it could be the difference between life and death for many of our most vulnerable clients. - Hannah Kitching, Age UK South Lakeland 103-year-old veteran, Thomas Hodgson, from West Cumbria received a grant last winter. Thomas fought for his country during the second World War, and he is still full of determination. He joined the Royal Engineers in 1940 at the age of 20 and when the army asked for parachuting volunteers, he literally jumped at the chance and joined the 7th Parachute Battalion. For many older people, the past two years have been very difficult, particularly during the the pandemic which meant not being able to have family and friends around them. Thomas remains positive and the team from CAAS are there when he needs help and advice. When asked about the Winter Warmth grant, he said: It’s grand. The extra funding is very helpful, and I must thank the people who look after me with the grant. The cost-of-living crisis means that the challenges facing the vulnerable elderly will be greater still this winter. They need your help more than ever before. If you’d like to donate, visit: www.cumbriafoundation.org/ winter-warmth-fund 11
Turning farming dreams into reality Farming is central to the economy of Cumbria with more than 5,000 farm holdings in the county, and more than 12,000 people employed in the sector. Faced with an ageing farming population, the county needs to attract more young people into farming, but it can be hard to get started. The Farmer Network is encouraging young people aged 18-30 into the industry through its Young Farming Ambition programme. The programme includes an introduction to basic business planning, one-to-one support and the opportunity to apply for a small business or training grant. “My dream has become a reality,” said Jodie, who wasn’t born into a farm. She started by renting small plots of land to start her business and always wanted her own flock of sheep. Now she’s gradually building up her flock, alongside self-employed work on local farms. Jodie continues: It’s amazing how much more confidence I have now, and the programme played a big part in that. It’s been very motivating to have a network I can lean on, and I’d say to anyone with ambition to develop a business in agriculture to find out about the programme – you’ve nothing to lose and a lot to gain. The Young Farming Ambition programme is supported by a £30,000 grant over three years and has supported more than 40 young people to date, many achieving their dream of creating their own business. Holly Potter already had experience of farming through helping her family on their own tenanted farms. She started on the programme to gain experience and support to help her move forward with her own farming ambitions . Just before starting the programme, Holly secured a tenancy on the Lowther Lonsdale Estate near Penrith as a ‘starter farm’ and with the help of her parents, she now farms 140 acres with 450 sheep and rears 80 Wagyu cattle on contract. She found the business sessions and one-to-one advice valuable support and inspiring. A grant enabled her to afford the cost of training in the safe use of pesticides and to develop educational resources to host school children on the farm. Kristian and his wife Aimee have their own flock of sheep kept on rented land . Holly Trans fo rmi ng L i ves 12
Lois Improving young people’s mental health After the bereavement of a friend while studying at sixth form, one young woman started to get feelings of wanting to give up but local charity, SAFA “saved her life.” Self-Harm Awareness for All (SAFA) is a charity based in Barrow and Kendal that supports people who experience mental health issues related to self-harm. Lois from Walney, attended the charity’s one to one counselling sessions for children and young people after having suicidal thoughts. She said: “I am still here because of the support I received from SAFA. It turned everything around. From wanting to drop out of sixth form with suicidal thoughts to getting into university to study filmmaking.” Thanks to the support of SAFA, Lois successfully finished her A-levels and went on to study at Manchester University. Lois is a talented painter, photographer and film maker with lived experience, which she is now using to help thousands of other people by working with the charity as a media creator. I’ve since started freelancing with film companies from working locally to big feature films with multi-millionpound budgets, opening my eyes to all the fruitful opportunities that life holds. Through SAFA, I really found myself, and I started to feel like life was worth living again. Public perception of self-harm is closely associated with people who cut themselves, but self-harm is any behaviour that is detrimental to one’s wellbeing such as excessive alcohol intake, drug use, gambling addiction, social media addiction, eating disorders, excessive working, excessive exercising and other high-risk behaviours. SAFA supports around 160 people each year and has seen a rise of almost 80% in the number of children needing specialist treatment for severe mental health issues. The charity received £18,000 to provide additional counselling sessions to young people. Locally, demand on the charity has never been higher, with the 11 to 19 age group accounting for 70% of the total clients supported. There is currently a waiting list of people who need support. 13
Indicators of change - measuring our impact We ask all our groups to collect information about the positive change that happens because of our grants. We use this alongside other information that we collect about the needs in the county to make sure our supporters’ money is used as well as possible. This information is based on completed end of year grant reports from projects that have been funded in the previous year. Trans fo rmi ng L i ves 14 10,579 People in the audience (Community theatre) 297 People received support for addiction issues 1,373 People took part in training with 244 gaining accreditation 542 People engaged in regular volunteering 8,165 People took part in community activities, 1,649 for the first time 1,201 People reported feeling safer in their community 4,341 People attended regular social activities 2,468 People diverted away from anti-social behaviour 17,870 Hours of sport and leisure activities provided 697 group sessions providing health-related activites 9,912 people reported improved physical/mental /emotional health 225 People started on the path to employability
15 Thinking globally, acting locally Developed in 2015 by the United Nations, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a framework to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all by 2030. We are now in the ‘decade of action’ and community foundations are vital players in achieving the Goals in the UK. Alongside our own impact assessment framework, we use these Goals to support our engagement with supporters and applicants. They also help us tackle the root causes of poverty and unite us to make a positive difference to both people and planet. The aims of the 17 SDGs are broad, so we have narrowed our focus to the 9 that align best with our grant making. However, it is important to note that the rest of the SDGs will be impacted on in some shape or form due to the intersecting needs of each Goal. To think global we must act local, trusting local people to provide solutions to local problems. Although local charities and community organisations may be small in size, collectively their work plays a significant role in working towards meeting the Goals. When you support our work, you’re investing in something bigger, a global vision that starts with local, grassroots change. The table to the right shows how our grant making is addressing the United Nations’ SDGs. • 41 projects • £313,702 awarded • 3 projects • £9,825 awarded • 224 projects • £1,973,626 awarded • 237 projects • £702,517 awarded • 9 projects • £58,333 awarded • 19 projects • £582,546 awarded • 38 projects • £223,979 awarded • 148 projects • £553,257 awarded • 10 projects • £24,079 awarded
Trans fo rmi ng L i ves 16 The power of friendship As people age, loneliness can become a serious problem which is said to be worse for our health than smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Loneliness is a particular issue for vulnerable older people, and, as the population of Cumbria continues to age, it looks set to become more acute. Two’s Company Keswick launched in September 2021 as a partnership between Churches Together in Keswick (CTiK) and Keswick Rotary Club with support from Age UK West Cumbria. A grant of £5,000 helped set up the befriending scheme, and to build a team of volunteers to support those of all ages in the CA12 area who are socially isolated. Referrals are welcomed from local NHS and other organisations, family and friends, and are then linked with volunteers who are chosen to match their interests and personality. The volunteers and referrals meet face to face or have a friendly chat on the phone and this provides an outlet for people who have little contact with anyone else. They are also on hand for support, offering advice on practical matters if needs be. Tony Welton, Chairman, said: “Our volunteers play a vital role in our service and their commitment to regularly visiting and building a relationship is absolutely key. To date, 20 volunteers have been vetted and trained and some 300 telephone and home visits have been made. An increasing number of outside visits are also developing - bus and car trips, walks, town visits, lunch club and café visits, hospital visits and help with filling in forms. One volunteer befriender and their scheme member link are a great example of the positive benefit of befriending. The member reports feeling less lonely and enjoying the friendship, saying “I’m not feeling as lonely because my befriender and I get on so well. They are a really good friend to me, and we have so much in common.” The reliability and regularity of the service gives members something to look forward to with confidence. Another member said: Having someone with me has given me the confidence to get on a bus. Two’s Company Keswick’s volunteer befrienders brightening people’s day
Volunteering for habitat protection Friendships have been forming over unlikely topics including pollution and invasive nonnative species, which are just some of the issues affecting West Cumbria’s rivers. West Cumbria Rivers Trust runs monthly volunteer events to improve the condition of lakes, rivers and estuaries. Himalayan balsam is a non-native invasive annual plant which grows vigorously over the summer months, destroying native plants and reducing biodiversity on riverbanks. As it dies back in winter, it leaves bare banks, making them vulnerable to erosion. Volunteers from different parts of the region have been coming together to help slow its spread near the river Irt, between Santon Bridge and Gosforth. A grant of £3,274 was used to purchase new tools and equipment as the charity’s tools were worn to the point where the group had to limit the numbers of volunteers who were able to attend. Petra Tjitske Kalshoven, a Lecturer in Social Anthropology at the University of Manchester, has recently learned how to pull nonnative Himalayan balsam. A friend introduced her to volunteering because she wanted to meet new people and learn more about Cumbria and its ecology. “Anything to help biodiversity helps the planet,” she said. The Trust wants volunteers and community groups to get involved and learn how to pull balsam, then adopt their own stretch on a local river to help control it over a wider area. It benefits both wildlife and landowners by helping to manage livestock, stabilise riverbanks, reduce erosion and provide good habitat for spawning fish. Lesley, another volunteer, said: “Volunteering has given me the opportunity to meet with likeminded people, work in the outdoors and maintain the natural environment. It has also opened doors to other opportunities. The new gloves have been well used!” 17 The tools and training have been so important in facilitating the running of volunteer events within Wasdale. Several of our regular volunteers live alone and have expressed how valuable to their mental and physical health the volunteer events are. These provide them with the opportunity to get out of the house to socialise, undertake physical activities while benefiting the environment. - Chris West, Project Officer
Grant making 2021-22 Funds Held by CCF Sum Awarded No. of Grants Criteria Abbeyfield Carlisle Over 55 Fund £42,549 11 Grants to benefit people over 55 living in the Carlisle, Allerdale and Eden areas. Abbeyfield Society Community First Fund £42,922 16 Grants to benefit people living in the Carlisle, Allerdale and Eden areas. ACE Let's Create Jubilee Fund £42,034 8 Grants to providing cultural and creative events as part as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022. Alston Moor Community Fund £1,000 1 Grants for charitable purposes for the benefit of Alston. Barker Fund £9,000 2 Grants to organisations that advance the education of disadvantaged young people, including young farmers, aged 25 and under who live in Cumbria. Barrow Community Trust £17,540 9 Grants for charitable purposes for the benefit of the people of the Borough of Barrow-in-Furness. Barrow in Furness Endowment Grassroots Fund £2,548 1 Grants for charitable purposes for the benefit of the people of the Borough of Barrow-in-Furness. Beck Burn Wind Farm Community Fund £171,106 65 Grants to community groups and individuals close to the Beck Burn Wind Farm. Beeby Family Fund £45,521 14 Grants to community projects that benefit young people across the county but prioirtising those in the Wigton area. Better Tomorrows Fund £143,895 9 Grants to increase the number of young people having access to quality youth work. This includes accredited training in Youth Work and funding salaries of new youth workers. Full details of the funds, including the grant making criteria, are available on our website. Funds Held by CCF Sum Awarded No. of Grants Criteria Beverley Charitable Trust Fund £20,779 8 Grants to young people in West Cumbria to enable access to study or vocational training. Border Fund £600 1 Grants to projects that address homelessness, hearing loss or other significant life events, and those providing training to build skills and confidence. Brian & Ann Clark Fund £65,475 15 Grants to projects working with disadvantaged families and people with disabilities or mental health issues, and assistance for young people in caring roles. Carr's Group Fund £5,550 2 Grants to invest in the wellbeing of communities across Cumbria. Catherine Alexander Grassroots Fund £4,000 4 Grants for local communities in Kendal and its immediate district. CCL Secure Community Fund £7,470 6 Grants to community organisations providing activities that benefit people and communities in Allerdale and Copeland. CN Fund £4,844 4 Grants to grassroots groups in the Newsquest distribution area. Community Resilience Fund £64,922 23 Grants to support community organisations to recover from the pandemic and help them continue the vital work they do for the long term. Crofton Trust Fund £8,072 1 Grants to promote the education of the public about agriculture, forestry and the countryside. Cultural Fund £2,500 3 Grants to promote excellence in the arts and cultural life. Cumberland and Westmorland Herald Fund £2,000 1 Grants to community based organisations benefiting people living in the Herald’s main circulation area. Cumberland Educational Foundation £52,750 8 Grants to widen access to sports and the arts in young people up to the age of 25. Cumbria Communication Project £20,000 2 A multi-year programme providing early interventions to promote and improve speech and language development in 0-3 year olds. Trans fo rmi ng L i ves 18
Funds Held by CCF Sum Awarded No. of Grants Criteria Cumbria Covid-19 Response Fund £47,377 4 Grants to community organisations that support the recovery of vulnerable people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Cumbria Disaster Fund £700 3 Grants to address hardship and promote community recovery and rebuilding as a consequence of a disaster event Cumbria Fund £267,241 46 Grants for charitable projects that address one or more of Cumbria Community Foundation’s top five priorities for funding. The following funds contributed income to this fund: · The Crispus Fund · Middlebrook Foundation Fund · Francis C Scott Challenge Fund · MissionCX Fund · Gregg Fund · Napthens Fund · Harvey Family Fund · Northern Rock Foundation · Hensman Acorn Fund · The BG Fund · HSBC Fund · Viscount Whitelaw Fund · James Cropper Fund · Winander Leisure · Laing Fund Cumbria Grassroots Fund £5,959 3 Grants for charitable projects that address one or more of Cumbria Community Foundation’s top five priorities for funding. Cumbria Health Improvement Fund £113,439 2 Grants for projects, services and equipment that enhance the work of the NHS in Cumbria. Cumbria Industries Amenities Fund £1,266 1 Grants for activities and equipment which support disabled people in the fund priority area of Carlisle. Cumbria Victims Charitable Trust Fund £2,572 7 Grants to individuals to provide financial support to victims of crime who reside in Cumbria. Cumbria Young People's Fund £44,618 15 Grants to benefit children and young people aged 14-22 across Cumbria. Cumbria Young People's Grassroots Fund £49,018 12 Grants to benefit children and young people aged 14-22 across Cumbria. Doosan Babcock Grassroots Fund £1,243 1 Grants to improve life chances and aspirations in areas covering the company's employees' residence. Dora Beeforth Memorial Fund £2,400 2 Grants to help disadvantaged young people participate in sport or foreign travel. Dowker Bindloss Charity £686 1 Grants to community based organisations supporting Kendal residents. Funds Held by CCF Sum Awarded No. of Grants Criteria Edmond Castle Educational Trust £10,649 10 Grants to support the education and training of disadvantaged young people, prioritising those who are or have been in care. Elizabeth Fell Memorial Trust £1,000 1 Grants to community based organisations supporting the parish of Kingstown, Carlisle and surrounding area. English Lakes Hotels Trust Sustainability Fund £5,000 1 Supports projects that protect and promote the landscape, environment and heritage in Windermere, Ambleside, Morecambe and Lancaster. Evening Hill Grassroots Fund £7,410 7 Aims to improve the lives of 16-25 years olds or improve the quality of life for the elderly. Fryer Grassroots Fund £8,067 5 Grants to organisations that improve the lives of young people especially those leaving care within Cumbria. Genesis Homes and Russell Armer Homes Community Fund £2,150 2 Grants to community projects within the areas of the building sites. Gurney Charitable Trust Fund £8,700 5 Grants to support small, locally-focused charities in northern Cumbria, with a priority in and around the village of Ireby. Hellrigg Windfarm Community Fund £18,300 4 Grants for charitable activities for local communities located close to the Hellrigg Wind Farm in north Allerdale. Herdy Fund £2,088 2 Grants to support and nurture Cumbria's upland fell farming and rural communities. High Sheriff's Crimebeat Fund £4,500 7 Grants to organisations that work with young people involved in or in danger of becoming involved in antisocial behaviour or crime. High Sheriff's General Fund £4,500 7 Grants to groups in Cumbria as identified by the High Sheriff of Cumbria. Hunter Davies Fund £2,600 1 Provides funding for the annual Lakeland Book of the Year awards. Jacobs Grassroots Fund £3,441 2 Grants to community based organisations providing activities that benefit people in Allerdale and/or Copeland. 19
Funds Held by CCF Sum Awarded No. of Grants Criteria Janetta Topsy Laidlaw Fund £4,000 3 Grants to assist older people in the Carlisle area to remain in their own homes. Johnson Fund £10,250 9 Grants to groups and individuals in Carlisle, Allerdale and Eden with particular support for rural isolation, care for the elderly and mental wellbeing support Kipling Fund for older people £2,000 1 Grants organisations that benefit older people. Kipling Fund for younger people £2,000 2 Grants organisations that benefit children and young people. Kirkby Moor Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund £10,335 4 Grants for charitable activities for local communities located close to the Kirkby Moor Wind Farm. Laidlaw Fund for the Environment £5,680 3 Support projects that benefit wildlife habitat protection and education of the natural environment in Carlisle and the surrounding area. Lamont Pridmore Grassroots Fund £1,500 1 Grants to organisations that improve the lives of people in west Cumbria by raising their aspiration and achievement. Lawrence Fund £221 1 Grants to individuals and groups in the fields of both music and horticulture. Liddle Thompson £3,617 2 Grants to community groups whose projects benefit young people in Carlisle and Allerdale. Live the Dream Fund £30,131 15 Grants to young people in West Cumbria to enable access to study or vocational training. LLWR Grassroots Fund £1,724 1 Grants to small projects in Copeland. Lord Egremont Fund for West Cumbria £5,500 2 Grants to organisations in the towns of Egremont and Cockermouth and the immediate surrounding areas. Made by Sport 'Clubs in Crisis' Fund £31,124 16 Grants to organisations using sport to deliver wider social outcomes for young people. Mary Grave Trust £8,350 8 Grants to young people in the former county of Cumberland to support travel abroad. Moorhouse Grassroots Fund £11,151 4 Grants to small projects, particularly in north Cumbria. Funds Held by CCF Sum Awarded No. of Grants Criteria NHS Hospital Discharge Support Fund £280,431 5 Grants to groups helping people regain and maintain their independence at home and in the community once discharged from hospital. NHS Psychological Support Fund £138,182 8 Grants to groups supporting those struggling with their mental health and the impact of the pandemic Nuvia Ltd Fund £2,495 2 Grants to groups benefitting people living near the company site and project offices in Cumbria. Out of Eden Fund £4,083 2 Grants to charitable projects that benefit communities within the Upper Eden valley. Pappagallino Fund £63,859 7 Grants to groups addressing social isolation and rural communities in Cumbria and North Cumbria. Positive Disruptors Fund £14,940 1 Helping young people aged 10-25 years from disadvantaged backgrounds in West Cumbria develop their enterprising ideas. Printers Inc Social Mobility Fund £14,651 3 Grants to groups benefitting young people aged between 14 to 25 to improve their life skills, education, employability and enterprise. Quarry Hill Grassroots Fund £15,345 5 Grants to increase young people's participation in sport, particularly in north Allerdale. Robinson Family Fund £3,395 2 Grants to groups that work with the homeless, people with drug or alcohol addictions, people with a physical disability, and for aspiring young sportspeople aged 15-25 years old. Roselands Trust Fund £14,130 11 Grants to projects helping people facing disadvantage, particularly those supporting older adults and people with learning difficulties. Rowan Community First Fund £7,500 6 Grants to projects which focus on unemployment training for older and young people. Shepley Group Fund £13,805 11 Grants to small projects in areas covering the company's employees' residence. Solway Fund £1,250 1 Grants to enable children and young adults in Maryport and Workington to develop skills that equip them for adult life. Staff 10th Anniversary Fund £457 1 Grants to smaller projects and to disadvantaged people across Cumbria. Trans fo rmi ng L i ves 20
Funds Held by CCF Sum Awarded No. of Grants Criteria Strummer Calling Community First Fund £7,272 3 Grants to community based organisations addressing local needs in Cumbria. Swales Trust Fund £6,983 15 Grants to students being educated for the farming, forestry and horticultural industries. Tallentire Windfarm Fund £39,841 9 Grants to community based organisations providing activities that benefit people close to the Tallentire wind farm. Third Party Organisation Fund £240,463 20 Grants to charitable organisations supporting vulnerable individuals and families in most need during the 2021/22 winter. Thomas Graham Grassroots Fund £8,300 4 Grants to increase young people's participation in sport, particularly in Carlisle. Transforming West Cumbria £673,005 22 A multi-year programme, developed to address some of the most entrenched social and economic issues, by delivering viable transformational change and funded by Sellafield Ltd. Ullswater Trust Grassroots Fund £10,861 5 Grants to groups that benefit a wide range of people, particularly in Eden. Violet Laidlaw Trust Fund £1,649 1 Grants to support homeless people in the Carlisle District. West Cumbria COVID-19 Community Recovery and Renewal Programme £445,091 8 Part of Transforming West Cumbria, grants are addressing mental health issues and financial hardship in Allerdale and Copeland. Westmorland Arts Trust £19,375 9 Grants to community based organisations to enable residents in the former county of Westmorland to experience the highest quality of music, drama and the visual arts. Westmorland Family Community Fund £108,744 17 Grants for groups which support the development of young people and the communities of Tebay, Brough, Shap, Kirkby Stephen, and Appleby-in-Westmorland. William Milburn Trust Fund £21,668 5 Grants to charitable groups in the Brampton area addressing local needs. Funds Administered by CCF Sum Administered No. of Grants Criteria Holehird Trust £51,765 27 Grants to community organisations supporting residents of the former county of Westmorland. Joyce Wilkinson Trust £75,692 14 Grants to community groups in the former county of Cumberland, prioritising the parishes of Rosley and Westward. NHS Charities Together £204,323 2 TOTAL £331,780 43 Funds Held by CCF Sum Awarded No. of Grants Criteria Wing Cdr H Thompson & Rev Green Grassroots Fund £3,088 2 Grants to youth organisations in Barrow providing training in leadership, selfdiscipline, life skills and experience and respect for others Winscales Moor Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund £12,000 2 Grants to community based organisations providing activities that benefit people close to the Winscales Moor wind farm. Winter Warmth Fund £222,200 5 Grants to help vulnerable older people in Cumbria stay warm and healthy. Young Persons Opportunity Fund £103,521 9 Grants to groups to support the personal development of young people across the county. TOTAL £4,109,543 648 21
A better tomorrow for Cumbria’s young people Reece first started volunteering with CandoFM Community Radio in Barrow when he was just 14 years old. He found school challenging; he felt he didn’t fit in, struggled with anxiety and his academic progress suffered. His motivation to succeed was lacking due to undiagnosed dyslexia. Leaving school with just three GCSE’s, Reece worked exceptionally hard at college to gain his Maths and English. He was offered work experience at CandoFM and really found his spark. Reece needed a beacon of light to guide his path and finding his love of radio with CandoFM did just that. Once Reece found his passion for radio, it really motivated him to achieve. He set his sights on university, and with the help and encouragement of the CandoFM team, he was offered a place at Salford University’s MediaCity campus after achieving a Distinction* in an Extended Level 3 Diploma in Creative Media. The radio station helped Reece expand his horizons and achieve something he never thought possible: becoming the first from his family to not only go to university but leave with a First-Class Honours Degree. The community radio station received a grant through the Better Tomorrows Fund to engage with young people through its newly developed youth radio programme and now employs Reece as a Youth Outreach Worker. Being a Youth Outreach Worker is a role that Reece has really made his own. He has a good rapport with young people. He knows how hard school was for him and wants to help his students succeed. Reece is now able to combine Youth Work training with his radio expertise in what is, for him, a ‘dream job’. The Better Tomorrows Fund has now raised more than £1.25 million and is still open to donations. Find out more: www. cumbriafoundation.org/give-toyour-community/better-tomorrows Spearheaded by David Beeby, High Sheriff of Cumbria in 2021/22 and Cumbria Community Foundation Chairman, the Better Tomorrows Fund encourages more people into the youth work sector by providing accredited training and funding salaries of youth workers to improve access to services for young people across the county. Cumbria Youth Alliance is managing the accredited youth work training to increase the number of qualified youth workers across the county, ensuring more young people become confident, resilient and optimistic for the future. High-quality youth work has a crucial role to play helping many young people to achieve their full potential. Through participation in youth work, young people gain confidence and competence, develop selfassurance, and have the opportunity to establish high expectations and aspirations for themselves. - David Beeby Reece (far left) with young members of the radio blogging station Trans fo rmi ng L i ves 22
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