WCCVS Employment Support Project Whitehaven
The project started in 2001 to provide intensive support to long-term un- and under-employed in south Whitehaven. It helps with confidence building, curriculum vitae (CVs), interview techniques, access to training and learning opportunities.
The project has helped over 1000 clients and has expanded across West Cumbria. A £5,000 Sellafield Site Fund grant coordinates social enterprises that will provide a job and give people the work history and experience they lack.
Domestic Blitz, West Coast Cleaning and Pressed For Time are funded by the grant. The cleaning and ironing services employ eight part-time staff at the project premises and provide an opportunity for people who have had no success in finding a job to earn a wage and gain the employment experience they need. Part of the grant has paid for a service coordinator to oversee the running of the businesses currently managed by the project but which are moving towards becoming completely independent. Ideas for generating extra income include setting up a sewing business.
Home to Work Cleator Moor
Home to Work is a gardening service that gives unemployed people the opportunity to learn new skills and enable them to find work. Established in 2001, the organisation provides garden maintenance for community areas and local residents at a subsidised rate, making it affordable for pensioners and families on low incomes.
Up to ten unemployed people at any one time are trained by experienced gardeners and work for between 30 and 35 hours a week for the national minimum wage while learning the skills they need to be able to progress in their chosen profession.
In the last three years alone 15 previously unemployed people trained by Home to Work have gone on to gain full-time employment with companies such as Amey and Sustrans, who provide landscaping and maintenance for local authorities. A grant of £998 from the Sellafield Site Fund enabled Home to Work to buy three new lawnmowers and strimmers, ensuring full-time work for three people.
Cumbria Cerebral Palsy in the West
A grant of £1,000 from the Fluor Cumbria Fund has gone a long way to covering the core costs of a Cumbria Cerebral Palsy support worker dedicated to helping families in West Cumbria. Cumbria Cerebral Palsy is a charity that works with children and adults and their families who are affected by the condition. The charity works with physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers and schools. Dawn Payne, the community support worker based in West Cumbria, works with everyone from parents of babies newly diagnosed with cerebral palsy to adults who need help with filling in forms or applying for funds. Dawn’s role is funded entirely by public donations. The value of this work is that it provides confidential, emotional and practical support which maximises income into families, ensures best possible care packages are provided and that respite is available where possible.
Grange Youth Social Club
“We’re so cool everyone wants to join in!” say Ewan, Sam and Scott, members of the Music Played Loud project at Grange Youth Club.
The Community Foundation gave £3,000 from the Local Network Fund to this scheme. It allows young people to learn music skills and perform together. Their numbers have doubled this year.
Members of MPL are now keen to play gigs at the local pub and British Legion and have recently recorded their own CD.
They have visited workshops in other parts of the country, learning from professionals and sharing experiences with other similar projects. All their effort is clearly paying off and the musicians have been invited to star at the UK Youth AGM in November.
The project has also helped its members gain their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Awards. Ewan said: “Doing an expedition wasn't something we expected, but it’s helped me get a bit fitter.”
Northern Fells Group
One small charity is having a huge effect on its rural community – thanks in part to funds awarded by the Foundation.
The Northern Fells group started with a dial-a-ride service, getting people to the doctors, post office and social activities. Next came the Lend a Hand project, which uses volunteers to provide care to older residents and a team of handymen to do odd jobs (Their most surprising request yet? – pickling plums.)
The project’s benefits adviser helps local residents claim more than £40,000 a year, and the group has run children’s drama workshops.
The Northern Fells Group has received almost £40,000 over the last year in grants from the Foundation. This has mainly been towards a development worker and the Lend a Hand scheme, plus first aid training and a musical project. It has also taken advantage of the Foundation’s ProHelp professional volunteer scheme
Parton Village Hall
When Ben Quayle became Chairman of Parton Village Hall the floor was rotten, the roof leaky, and the hall was hardly used. Now it is a community treasure.
“The hall is so busy these days we are turning people away,” said Ben.
The hall has received various Foundation grants this year – we funded building repairs, the cost of drawing up plans to extend the hall, and upgrades to the heating system, among other things.
We also made a contribution towards the provision of a youth worker, Valda Young, who runs a youth club for nearly 50 youngsters.
Working alongside six volunteers, Valda arranges music, craft and footballing sessions. The music workshops have helped young people set up a band and the two football teams recently won a tournament are are off to a competition in Gateshead.
For further information about any of these projects please call:
Cumbria Community Foundation
Tel: 01900 825760
updated 04.06.2007