22nd August 2022
West Cumbrian charities and community groups are being encouraged to apply for funding to invest in digital solutions.
The COVID-19 crisis has increased the need for organisations to explore how digital approaches can be used to create more impact for the people they work with.
Bedrock Digital has been created to help charitable groups carry out their work in a more efficient and effective way, resulting in positive social benefit.
Managed by Cumbria Community Foundation, grants will normally be up to £5,000 and the fund will prioritise organisations that alleviate poverty and disadvantage and projects that are addressing needs identified in the Foundation’s West Cumbria Opportunities and Challenges report.
Free expert advice and guidance from Charity Technology is also available to help groups examine whether a digital solution is the best idea, explore alternative solutions and identify any implications of implementing a new solution.
Bedrock Digital is part of Transforming West Cumbria (TWC) which is funded through Sellafield Ltd’s social impact multiplied programme SiX. This social investment programme has been developed in partnership with Cumbria Community Foundation and focuses on promoting thriving communities by supporting sustainable activities that create self-reliance and independence.
Gary McKeating, Head of Community & Development at Sellafield Ltd, said: “The pandemic has pushed charities and community groups to work differently so they could continue to offer their vital services. In some cases the IT was not ideal to make the most of it. This offer of advice and grant funding should help to improve their IT systems and enable them to work more efficiently.”
A recent grant to Whitehaven, Egremont & District Credit Union (WEDCU) supported the implementation of a new hybrid banking platform to provide more flexibility and a greater range of online and digital services.
Andrea Dockeray, Development Manager, said: “We are delighted to be awarded the grant as this investment is much more than an IT upgrade; we see this as a digital transformation making a critical contribution to our sustainability and growth going forward”.
Applications can be made at any time and will be considered at the quarterly grants committee meetings held in September, December, March and June. However, groups are encouraged to access initial free support for their digital developments prior to applying by contacting, Kevin Beynon at Charity Technology.
Kevin said: “I’m excited to be working with Cumbria Community Foundation on Bedrock Digital to support organisations and groups in Allerdale and in Copeland, where I live. The funding from Sellafield Ltd will help us deliver advice, support and training to voluntary and community groups, and social enterprises in West Cumbria, and ensure they benefit from the digital tools and skills they need to support their communities.”
Visit https://charitytechnology.co.uk/bedrockdigital to signup for initial free support.
If you would like to know more about this fund, please contact: Lisa Blackwell on 01900 820827 or email lisa@cumbriafoundation.org