21st October 2019
Charitable causes in and around the Barrow area have received a share of more than £18,000 to support some of the most disadvantaged people across the peninsular.
The funding, awarded at Cumbria Community Foundation’s recent Barrow Community Trust grants panel, has benefited seven community projects and will support a range of projects including an intergenerational lunch club and young disabled people.
Building on the success of Leonard Cheshire’s YouthAbility: LifeAbility project last year, a grant for £5,000 from the #iwill Fund will support another 45 young disabled people aged 16-25. The programme offers comprehensive support over one year through a variety of life-skill workshops and volunteering opportunities in the Walney community.
Leslie McLeese, Team Leader, YouthAbility Cumbria said: “We are very grateful for this funding from the Community Foundation. The funding will make a huge difference to young people with disabilities within the Furness area, giving the young people we work with the opportunity to learn new skills and assist them on their transition to adulthood.”
Mind in Furness will undergo a major development in the coming months with its extension and refurbishment of its community offices in Barrow. Thanks to a grant of more than £3,000 from the Cumbria Fund, mental health service users will still be able to access the service at a temporary location while the work is carried out.
A grant of £2,988 will benefit more than 50 older people in the Dalton in Furness area over the next two years. Grub and Games is a lunch club that will take place once a month at Dalton Community Centre in joint partnership between AGE UK, Dalton Creatives, Dalton Community Association and pupils from Dowdales School who will join the older people in table top board games followed by soup and sandwiches.
Barry Doughty, Chairman, Dalton Community Association, said: “We are really pleased to receive the grant as this will sustain the luncheon clubs. This is an important social gathering for those who may spend time alone. The individuals can share common concerns and plans and learn about other activities taking place at the centre and around Dalton.”
Ellen Clements, Senior Grants and Donor Services at Cumbria Community Foundation, said: “Help from the funds managed by the Foundation make a real difference in the community. The grants awarded at this panel are essential and will tackle important issues such as isolation in the local community.”
Applications for the next round of funding need to be submitted by Friday 20th December 2019.