14th August 2015
Charity organisations in Allerdale and Copeland have been presented with certificates after winning a national award.
Cumbria Community Foundation won the 2015 Grantmaking and Funding category at the UK Charity Awards in June, 2015.
The award was presented for the ground breaking Neighbourhood Care Independence Programme (NCIP), developed by the Community Foundation in its role as Managed Service Provider on behalf of Cumbria County Council.
Cumbria Community Foundation facilitated a partnership of 33 voluntary sector delivery organisations, with the award judges commenting that NCIP was a great example of a whole host of people working together.
On Thursday 13th August members of the NCIP Allerdale and Copeland partnerships whose efforts were instrumental in winning the award were presented with their winners’ certificates. The partners include Age UK West Cumbria, West House, the Allerdale and Copeland Citizens Advice Bureaux, Allerdale Disability Association, Hospice at Home West Cumbria, West Cumbria Blind Society, Cumbria Deaf Vision, Fit4Life, Northern Fells Group, Caritas Care, Age UK, Cumbria Deaf Vision, Croftlands and British Red Cross. The certificates were presented by Willie Slavin, Chair of Cumbria Community Foundation’s West Cumbria Grants Panel.
Andy Beeforth, Chief Executive of Cumbria Community Foundation said: “This award is the culmination of more than three years hard work. We have one of the fastest growing populations of older people and NCIP is all about helping people stay safe, healthy and independent at home. This award is recognition for all of the charities and organisations funded through the programme and shows we can be the best in the country.”
The £860,000 per annum NCIP programme is delivered on behalf of Cumbria County Council to support Cumbria’s large and growing population of older people and vulnerable adults. NCIP partners provide a range of services, from Home from Hospital, minor adaptions to the home, to befriending and social activities. The NCIP has delivered £1m in public sector savings and helped over 38,000 vulnerable adults and older people in Cumbria to maintain their independence. By the end of the first year, one in eight of the county’s older residents had used NCIP services.
Mary Bradley, Age UK West Cumbria said: “The NCI programme has made a difference in West Cumbria, enabling a diverse range of third sector organisations to support the community with information, advice and activities which have contributed to improving people’s independence, health and wellbeing.
“It is therefore fitting that this innovative project should have picked up this award on behalf of everyone, including the many volunteers and community groups involved in making this a success”.