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West Cumbrian causes awarded a share of £370,000

Community projects across West Cumbria have received a share of almost £370,000 to tackle issues such as youth crime, loneliness and financial exclusion.

The money was awarded at our quarterly West Cumbria grants panel and will support more than 30 charitable projects, some over several years. Funding was also given to 19 young people towards academic study and foreign travel for school pupils.

The money came from more than 20 funds, including those set up by local corporate businesses, Lamont Pridmore, Shepley Engineers and United Utilities.

Cumbria Youth Alliance (CYA) works with young people from some of the most deprived areas of West Cumbria to help them reach their full potential. The First Steps to Employment project received £8,135 from the Beverley Trust to provide one-to-one tailor-made support for 16 – 24 year olds and help them develop a plan to identify and reach their employment goals.

Connor Farrington secured a job with RPA in Customer Service

Sally Scales, NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) Business Development Manager, said: “We are delighted the Beverley Trust supported the programme. The news has been particularly well received as it comes after the funder met with young people and heard first-hand how they have benefited.

“Youth unemployment is a major priority in West Cumbria and is five times higher than the national average in some areas. Young people have told us they feel like they have been ‘forgotten’ and ‘written off’, so this grant will allow us to continue to help them take the steps they need to pursue their chosen path into further education, training and employment opportunities.”

Citizens Advice Allerdale provides free, impartial advice on a wide range of issues to anyone who needs help. £4,500 from the Abbeyfield Carlisle Society Over 55 Fund and the Kipling Fund for Older People will contribute to the running costs of its older people’s benefits project, which gives advice and support to help older people maximise their income, as well as dealing with the underlying issues that lead to older people living in poverty.

Sue Sowerby, Welfare Benefits Supervisor, Citizens Advice Allerdale

Funding Officer, Lyndsay Carver, said: “Imagine being elderly and having ongoing physical or mental health problems. Getting help from other people begins to seem impossible and family and friends may no longer be there or do not have the skills to help with complex benefit problems. Thanks to the funding, our project will aim to provide an additional 100 one-to-one specialist appointments for older people to help them make sure they are getting the right benefits for them.”

Annalee Holliday, Grants & Donor Services Officer at Cumbria Community Foundation, said: “We’re delighted to be able to support the many varied and often much-needed projects across West Cumbria, which bring people together while addressing issues such as poverty, loneliness, unemployment and health and wellbeing. We are ever grateful to our fundholders for supporting such worthy causes.”

The closing date for the next grants panel is 23rd November 2018. For more information on funds, click here or call a member of the grants team on 01900 825760.

Winter Warmth Appeal Launched for Ninth Year

Cumbria’s Deputy Lieutenant, Susie Bagot, is encouraging older people who receive the Government’s Winter Fuel payment – but don’t need it themselves – to give it to those in need.

Every winter, Cumbria Community Foundation launches a Winter Warmth Appeal to help poorer, older people to heat their homes.

More than 1,000 people are helped every year to keep warm, rather than choosing between heating their home or eating a meal.

Susie Bagot, MBE DL, Deputy Lieutenant of Cumbria, said: “I would encourage anyone who receives the Government’s Winter Fuel Payment, who doesn’t need it to pay their own fuel bills, to donate it to Cumbria Community Foundation’s Winter Warmth Appeal.

“Many may think that having paid their taxes they are entitled to retain the payment. We could, however, regard this bonus payment from the Government as an opportunity to make a targeted generous gift to those in our county who need an additional helping hand at a difficult time of the year. I can’t bear the thought of anyone being cold in the winter, especially the elderly or those with young children, and it is not difficult to imagine how hard it must be to have to choose between heating, eating or paying the rent.

“The Winter Fuel Payment is given to certain members of the population. It is income coming to us in Cumbria. We have a personal choice but how much better to have the satisfaction of knowing that it is going to those who really need it so urgently within our county.

Andy Beeforth, Chief Executive of the Foundation, said: “The appeal only exists because better-off donors want to use their Winter Fuel Payment to help others, and we provide a simple but effective way for them to make a difference.

“The financial burden can reduce some older people to living in one room, going to bed during the day, or making the choice between heating and eating.

“We appeal to anyone who feels they could support us for this very urgent need to act now so that we can be ready for the cold months ahead.”

The Winter Fuel Payment of between £100 and £300, depending on age and circumstances, is made to anyone born on or before 5 November 1953.

How to donate:

Online:
Please visit our BT MyDonate page to make a contribution.

Send a cheque:
Please make cheques payable to Cumbria Community Foundation and write ‘Winter Warmth Fund’ on the back. Send cheques to our office; Cumbria Community Foundation, Dovenby Hall, Dovenby, Cockermouth, CA13 0PN. If you are a tax payer, please also send a Gift Aid Declaration.

Phone:
Donate via credit/debit card over the phone by calling 01900 825760. Lines are open Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm.

The appeal, now in its ninth year, has raised more than £750,000 for those in need. It works in partnership with Age UK across the county who also offer advice and assistance such as benefits checks, signposting to other agencies and inviting people to attend activities and groups.