27th May 2021
Cumbria Community Foundation is looking for young people living in West Cumbria aged between 16-25 who are passionate about their community and making a difference, to join the 2021 #CanDo Youth Advisory Panel.
#CanDo encourages community organisations to apply for funding for community projects, led by young people. Those applications are then considered by a youth panel, putting the decisions firmly in the hands of the next generation.
The Youth Advisory Panel will be made up of up to 15 young people with a wide range of lived experiences and a diversity of backgrounds and will form a crucial part of the Foundation’s grantmaking and steer its charitable work in a more youth-led direction.
Funded by Sellafield Ltd, with match funding from Thomas Graham & Sons and local donors, #CanDo is part of Transforming West Cumbria, a multi-year social investment programme developed by Cumbria Community Foundation.
People who take part will have the opportunity to meet other young people and get a unique view into the charity sector. The panel is expected to meet up to four times a year and will be held virtually with an in-person meeting if possible, with pandemic restrictions.
Emily Dixon, 16, from Cleator Moor who was part of the panel last year, said: “The panel was a great experience to be a part of. It was nice to be able to speak to people and share ideas even with the current circumstances. Everyone was really willing to get involved and all the ideas were very different.”
Gary McKeating, Head of Community and Development at Sellafield Ltd, said: “This is a great opportunity for young people to get involved and be empowered to make a difference in their communities, I would encourage people to apply, you will also develop new skills and meet new people along the way.”
Annalee Holliday, Senior Grants & Programmes Officer at Cumbria Community Foundation, said: “Young people have enormous potential to make a positive change – their involvement is crucial to the future of our communities. This group will bring expertise and a fresh pair of eyes to help us decide which projects are funded.”
Applications for the #CanDo Youth Advisory Panel will close on Friday 9th July, 5pm.
The first meeting will take place on Tuesday 27th July and will be held virtually.
Click here to download the #CanDo Information Pack.
Click here to download the CanDo Youth Advisory Panel Application Form.
For more information or to apply, click here or call Annalee Holliday on 01900 820827 or email annalee@cumbriafoundation.org