FOLD Transforming West Cumbria Launched in 2020, the £6.5m Transforming West Cumbria (TWC) social investment programme focusses on helping West Cumbria’s most entrenched social issues and inequalities. Funded through the Sellafield Ltd social impact, multiplied (SiX) programme, TWC has made a positive difference to hundreds of community organisations and thousands of people. It has brought communities and stakeholders together and encouraged a partnership approach that has demonstrated that impact can be multiplied through collaboration. Addressing community needs identified in the Foundation’s West Cumbria Opportunities and Challenges Report, the TWC programme focuses on building the resilience and capability of community organisations, inspiring social enterprise, nurturing young entrepreneurs, making community activism the norm for young people, improving family wellbeing, addressing financial hardship and supporting mental health and wellbeing. Sellafield Ltd’s supply chain partners and other local businesses and funders are becoming increasingly involved, supporting projects with staff time and expertise, as well as match funding TWC to a total of £540,000 so far. We can achieve more by working together. - Gary McKeating, Head of Development and Community, Sellafield Ltd. Programmes and partnerships - working together for local people In November 2022, the Foundation’s Grants Team received a Cumbria Learning and Improvement Collaborative (CLIC) System Recognition Award for its outstanding collaborative work. Working closely with Cumbria CVS and the NHS in North Cumbria, we have developed innovative programmes to stimulate new ways of delivering health related services. Addressing health inequalities By working together with other organisations and businesses we can increase our impact and ensure our grants reach where they are most needed. Since 2020, over £2 million has been invested through the Foundation by the NHS in North Cumbria to enable voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations to deliver these new health projects in North Cumbria. The NHS Green Social Prescribing Fund addresses health inequalities by using nature-based activities to improve people’s health and wellbeing, thereby reducing the need for NHS services. It has supported projects such as local walking groups, community garden projects, and outdoor exercise therapies. The NHS North Cumbria Discharge Support Fund supports organisations to help patients return home after being discharged from hospital. The Well@ Home project delivered by Age UK West Cumbria, Age UK Carlisle & Eden and Meals on Wheels provides a bespoke individual service for up to four weeks. It’s a person-centred service and the support includes a holistic assessment of needs, transport, home preparation including cleaning, benefits checks, befriending, shopping and the provision of meals. Over 800 people have been helped to return and stay well at home this year. One beneficiary said, Age UK have been wonderful; I don’t know what I would have done without them. Both funds have been set-up by the NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board. Unlocking West Cumbria’s entrepreneurial spirit Positive Enterprise is a six-month programme which empowers aspiring young entrepreneurs in West Cumbria to have their ambitions turned into reality. Launched in 2022, youngsters aged 14 to 25 were invited to pitch their business ideas. Seven winners selected and received £1,000 to spend on equipment, materials, stock or services to launch their social enterprise. They are also supported by the Centre for Leadership Performance through coaching, mentoring and workshops. Laurie Crayston, an entrepreneur who acted as a mentor, runs three small businesses of his own. He said: The ideas the young people have are fantastic. West Cumbria in many ways is a disadvantaged area, but there’s so much talent and potential here. Bethany Goodall, 24, of Workington, received £1,000 to establish the Lake District Academy of Theatre Arts to provide affordable musical theatre workshops. Bethany said: Having one-to-one sessions with a mentor gave me a real insight into how to sell my idea. I wouldn’t have had the confidence to do that. The programme is funded by the Cumbria-based property developer Brian Scowcroft with match funding from Sellafield Ltd, Nuclear Waste Services, Well Whitehaven, Morgan Sindall and Kaefer. Bethany receiving her award from David Beeby, Chairman of the Foundation, at an event to celebrate the young entrepreneurs achievements. Growing Local Philanthropy 14 15
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