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Job Vacancy – Prevention Programme Manager

We are currently looking for an experienced Programme Manager  to join our team at Cumbria Community Foundation. The post is based at our Head Office in Dovenby near Cockermouth.

As an organisation committed to the local community and a track record of delivery, we are looking for a key member of the team to contribute to the exciting development of the organisation in particular taking forward the recently extended contract from Cumbria County Council for what was formerly known as the Neighbourhood Care Independence Programme but now referred to as Placed Based Services (Prevention Programme). The Prevention Programme consists of around 30 voluntary and third sector organisations delivering a range of services and support to vulnerable adults in order to enhance or maintain their ability to live independently of Health Adult Social Care Services. This Programme sits within the Health and Social Well-Being System under the auspices of Public Health.

If you’re looking for an opportunity where you can make a difference, want to work with an established organisation with a varied and interesting work load, download the Job Description and Application Form and email your completed form to cath@cumbriafoundation.org

Closing date for applications: 9am Monday 4th April

Cumbria Flood Recovery Appeal Song by Eden Rose Hunter

The whole of Cumbria was devastated by floods in December 2015 and one major consequence was the washing away of the A591 – the main arterial road of the Lake District, linking Grasmere to Keswick and the Northern Lakes.

The road’s closure has cut the Lake District in half as it’s the only north-south route through the national park. As a result, communities have been torn apart and businesses that rely on tourism have been losing out to the tune of an estimated £1 million per day.

Eden Rose Hunter,  15, from Grasmere recorded her version of the hit Keane song ‘Somewhere Only We Know’ to draw attention to the Lake District’s damaged A591 which won’t be open until May at the earliest.

Eden Rose is the daughter of Andrew and Joanne Hunter who run the iconic 162-year-old Grasmere Gingerbread Shop.

Like lots of other family businesses in the Lake District it has been badly hit by collapsing trade. Mum Joanne Hunter said the song was her daughter’s idea.

Cumbria County Council is currently repairing the road.

Eden Rose recorded Somewhere Only We Know at Dedleg studios near Ormskirk.

She then recorded the video above Grasmere with local film-maker John McKeown of Lakes Creative.

Grasmere and Cumbria are both open for business however so please continue to visit this most beautiful corner of England.

Flood Appeal Review: Need for Financial Support Increases

A recent review of expenditure and future demand on the Cumbria Flood Recovery Appeal has indicated a need for hardship and community recovery funds in the region of £9.4m, against the current funds raised of £5.7m.

The Appeal, set up by Cumbria Community Foundation has distributed £2.5 million to date to individuals and families suffering financial hardship and to community relief and rebuilding projects.

As a result the trustees have taken the decision to increase the Appeal target to £7m and will keep this under review with the expectation that it may have to rise in the future. The trustees wish to thank and recognise the thousands of people who have raised money in support of the Flood Recovery Appeal and who continue to hold fundraising events.

As Government continues to monitor need and allocation of funds it is vital that we communicate our best understanding of demands on the Appeal.

The Flood Recovery Appeal has so far supported more than 2,000 households – 35% of all those affected – with 30-35 grants being awarded per day. An average of £188,000 is being awarded per week with most people receiving money within 48 hours of their applications being considered.

The charity is expecting to see more households applying as families return to their homes – many are still in temporary accommodation.

Chief Executive Andy Beeforth said: “The Flood Recovery Appeal has so far responded to the immediate crisis phase of the flooding. We know, however, that recovery takes a long time. Our experience of managing flood funds in 2005 and 2009 tells us that we will need to continue to support some families for 12-18 months after the floods.

“Many families have not returned to their homes, hundreds of homes are not yet dry or ready to be occupied, others are only just uncovering problems and issues and costs they had not expected. The full extent of the damage to homes, businesses, community facilities, and to the infrastructure and the associated costs of cleaning up, and of repair and restoration, will run into many millions of pounds. Previous floods in Cumbria cost the insurance industry £272m in 2005 and £276m in 2009.

“We need to be able to help re-build valuable community facilities and to support the work that charities have done to support people affected by the floods.”

“If the Appeal continues to spend at the current rate it would be spent up by July 2016. Our trustees are monitoring expenditure to ensure those in greatest need are prioritised.”

“We encourage anyone facing financial hardship as a result of the flooding to seek help through the Appeal if they have not done so already.”

Cumbria Community Foundation’s Flood Recovery Appeal has supported households who have lost income as a direct result of the floods and supported community organisations and charities providing vital support. It has also supported some community organisations whose premises have been flooded or whose activities have been curtailed by flooding.

The Foundation’s Grants Committee has met monthly to consider group applications since 5 December. The 22 March Grants Committee meeting will consider applications totalling £475,000.

Awards to charities and community groups will be primarily to those who provide support services such as advice and information, practical and emotional support to those affected by the storms and organisations who have been directly affected by the floods. The Foundation also expects to see an increase in applications from community groups in support of community resilience measures.

More than 5,500 homes were flooded in December 2015. This is three times more households than were affected by flooding in 2009. The Cumbria Flood Recovery Appeal 2009 raised and spent £3m.

Flood Appeal awards £2.5m in 12 weeks

The Cumbria Flood Recovery Appeal has given out almost £2.5 million to people across the county affected by December’s devastating floods.

£300,000 of which has gone to community groups to help rebuild and replace sporting and social facilities, support food banks, replace life saving equipment and provide practical and emotional support for people affected across Cumbria.

So far £5.7 million pounds has been raised for the appeal and the charity’s chief executive says people across Cumbria will be helped financially for many months yet.

Andy Beeforth said: “Two thousand households have been helped so far, some more than once. I’d like to encourage people to apply for a grant as and when they need it. We know from the last floods that it takes many months before people get back in their homes and need help to cover costs that they haven’t anticipated as well of the costs they do. Group applications are being considered once a month and once again, I’d encourage community groups who need help to apply.”

Groups can apply online and the closing date for the panel meeting on 19 April is 8 April.

Community groups which have already been awarded grants include:

In Allerdale

£4,000 – for a drop-in centre at Greta Gardens for Keswick Flood Action Group
£2,000 – for flood relief and prevention at Wigton Baths Trust
£15,000 – to replace junior non-turf wicket and practice area
£10,000 – supporting recovery from the floods at The Kirkgate Arts Centre
£10,000 – flood recovery project for Keswick Football Club
£10,000 – flood rescue equipment for Maryport Inshore Rescue Boat
£10,000 – The Bridge Cafe, King’s Church, Cockermouth
£1,048 – replacement kit for Keswick and District Community First Responders
£10,000 – restoration of club and bowling green for Fitz Park Bowling Green, Keswick
£15,000 – replacement walkway at YHA Keswick
£15,000 – flood advice and support for Citizen Advice Allerdale

In Carlisle

£15,000 – to support lost revenue while Carlisle Youth Zone is being rebuilt
£15,000 – flood repairs for Botcherby Community Centre
£4,500 – restoring allotments for Willowholme Allotment Society
£5,000 – replacing flood damaged staging at Crosby on Eden Parish Hall
In Copeland

£11,052 – to repair the pitch at Cleator Moor Celtic Football Club

In Eden

£500 – riverside restoration for Appleby Chamber of Trade
£5,393 – flood damage repair, Lazonby and District Swimming Pool Association
£5,940 – renovation support for Appleby Scout Group
£2,000 – hosting Eden Flood Volunteers, Eden Arts Trust
£10,000 – damage repair for Patterdale Parish Council
£5,000 – county flood recovery for Eden Flood Volunteers

In South Lakeland

£12,050 – for a flood co-ordination officer for Age UK South Lakeland
£15,000 – flood restoration work at IBIS Sports and Social Club
£15,000 – for a Flood Relief Centre Manager at King’s Food Bank, Kendal
£5,000 – flood damage restoration for Ambleside Bowling Club
£5,000 – flood relief for The Armitt Library and Museum Centre
£15,000 – flood relief co-ordinators for Sandylands Methodist Church
£623 – direction signs following the floods at Staveley with Ings Parish Church
£15,000 – emotional support and counselling for those affected by floods, South Lakeland Mind
£11,325 – replacement jetty at YHA Ambleside
£20,000 – flood recovery co-ordinators for British Red Cross across Cumbria

You can donate by Just Giving http://campaign.justgiving.com/charity/cumbriafoundation/cumbriafloodappeal2015

Or by sending a cheque made payable to Cumbria Community Foundation and sent to CCF, Dovenby Hall, Cockermouth, Cumbria, CA13 0PN.

Or send a text to 70070 with the message ‘FLUD15’ and a monetary amount. For example, ‘FLUD15 £10.’

The Flood Recovery Fund 2015 is open to anyone whose home has suffered significant structural damage or flooding or people who have lost work or income because of the storm or flood.

It has provided support for – cleaning up, emergency repairs, clothing, food and drink, heating and heating equipment, child care equipment and basic furniture.