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Creating Warm Spaces across Cumbria

Community groups and organisations across Cumbria are being offered financial support to help people keep warm over winter.

Working in partnership with Cumbria County Council, Cumbria Community Foundation is offering funding to the voluntary and community sector to help create a network of places where people can go to keep warm and have company.

The Warm Spot Fund is providing grants of up to £1,000 per venue to expand capacity or to start up in a new venue. For example, a community centre may apply to cover the costs of providing a designated space with chairs and hot drinks, open at regular times each week, or a parish hall may want to set up a coffee morning for the first time.

Funding can be used to cover energy bills, additional staff time, volunteer expenses, provision of drinks and venue hire, as well as other relevant costs.

Cumbria County Council suggests a Warm Spot should offer a warm, heated space, ‘a warm welcome’ with at least one member of staff or volunteer, a warm drink and be open for at least two hours each week.

Cllr Deborah Earl, Cabinet Member for Communities and Public Health, said: “As the cost of living crisis continues, we know a lot of people are going to find it increasingly hard to heat their homes this winter and we know that being cold is a genuinely serious risk to your health. This funding is for community organisations who are looking to offer somewhere warm that people can drop-in if they’re struggling, have a hot drink and a chat if they want one. They’ll also be able to talk to people about other places they could get support. A lot of local organisations are hoping to offer this kind of support, so our intention is that this funding helps them make that a reality.”

The Warm Spots Fund has already started to award grants to provide warm spaces up and down the county, including The Salvation Army in Barrow, Moot Hall in Brampton, Kendal Town Hall, Appleby Cricket Club and The Settlement in Maryport.

Jenny Benson, Director of Programmes & Partnerships at the Foundation, said: “Communities are in great need, and we are pleased that we can support this fund by adding match funding. Community groups are doing all they can to keep people safe, feeling ok and warm against the odds. It’s our job to make sure they have the money to do so.”

The council is keen to let people across Cumbria know about these warm spaces and are setting up a WARM SPOT interactive map, which will be available on its website shortly.

Applications to the Warm Spots Fund can be submitted at any time and groups should hear the outcome of their application within 10 working days.

To apply for funding, click here or contact Annalee Holiday via annalee@cumbriafoundation.org or on 01900 825760.

VACANCY – Age Friendly Coordinator

Post: Age Friendly Coordinator

We are one of the county’s leading grant makers, providing much needed financial support to local community groups and initiatives that make a big difference to the lives of those in genuine need. Our aim is to change people’s lives for the better through donations from individuals, companies, charitable trusts and statutory organisations.

We’re looking to develop an Age Friendly community in South Lakeland, which aims to create a supportive, welcoming and vibrant environment for older adults. Everyone has the right to a good life as they get older and our whole society benefits when people are able to age well.

We have long recognised the importance of place-based approaches in helping people to age well. This is a pivotal role to support our ambition to build an Age Friendly community in South Lakeland. The postholder will work with partner organisations, agencies, authorities and local residents to ensure more people have an opportunity to enjoy a good later life, and to reduce inequalities in ageing.

Download the job description and application form from our website www.cumbriafoundation.org For an informal discussion about the role, contact Annalee Holliday on 01900 825760.
Closing date is 10am, Monday 14th November
Interviews will take place on 30th November 2022.

Download the job description and application form. 

For an informal discussion about the role, contact Annalee Holliday on 01900 825760.

Closing date is 10am, Monday 14th November

Interviews will take place on Wednesday 30th November 2022. A pre-interview task will be forwarded to those called for interview for completion in advance.

Funding boost to South Lakeland community groups

Community projects across south Cumbria are celebrating after being awarded grants to support a range of issues including tackling the many challenges facing England’s largest lake.

Homewares retailer, Lakeland, joined forces with Cumbria Community Foundation to expand the company’s reach into local communities and show its gratitude and ongoing support for the Cumbrian community where the business was founded more than 50 years ago.

The myLakeland Fund was set up to support community projects in and around Windermere, Kendal and South Lakeland, and has awarded more than £23,000 to local causes since it was set up six months ago.

Children and young people suffering with mental health issues will be able to access counselling sessions thanks to a £7,500 grant to self-harm awareness charity, SAFA.

The SAFA team

The charity has seen a 70% increase in referrals related to self-harming and three in five are aged under 19. Ian Burns, Chair of Trustees, said: “This is fantastic news for SAFA, and we are extremely grateful to Lakeland. We are determined to deliver significant benefit to those who need support in Kendal. People’s lives will be significantly improved as a result of this funding.”

Lake District Foundation received £3,890 for its Love Your Lake project that aims to clean up Windermere and improve the environment.

Sarah Swindley, Chief Executive of Lake District Foundation, said: “We are delighted to receive this funding which will enable us to introduce and manage ‘two-minute litter pick stations’ at busy lake locations. These will encourage people to take part in mini litter picks and raise a wider awareness about caring for our lakes and local environment.”

Bay Trust Radio, one of Cumbria’s oldest radio stations, received £3,050 to recruit new volunteers and purchase equipment to allow them to broadcast from home.

The station started broadcasting in 1977 in the old Westmorland County Hospital before moving to the Westmorland General.

John Williamson, president and station manager, said: “When I started in hospital radio, patients would have been in hospital for weeks but now they may only be in for days, so the station has had to move forward and expand the service.

“Every person involved with the station is a volunteer who gives up their time to bring enjoyment to others every week. Being awarded this grant will enable our charity to introduce new volunteers to present radio shows from home, encouraging those less mobile or with physical disabilities to join in.”

Carer Support South Lakes also received £9,000 over the next three years to support the most vulnerable carers and help them identify steps to improve their wellbeing.

Fran Wilkinson, Head of Loyalty at Lakeland, said: “Having launched the myLakeland fund in partnership with Cumbria Community Foundation six months ago, we’re delighted to see the difference that the fund is already making here in our local community. Whilst Lakeland is now a national retailer, we were founded here in the heart of the Lake District, where our Head Office, Flagship Store and Distribution Centre remain to this day, and it’s important to us that we give back to the local community that has supported us. With the help of our myLakeland members, we’ve been able to commit £50,000 of support to local charities and not-for-profit organisations right here in South Lakeland and we’re looking forward to continuing to see these funds being distributed to many great causes.”

Cumbria Community Foundation has been building philanthropic support for communities and grassroots groups for 22 years. In that time, working with individual donors and businesses, it has invested almost £60 million into local communities.

Annalee Holiday, Senior Grants & Programmes Officer at the Foundation, said: “Lakeland has been a supporter of our work for many years, and we are delighted to help the company distribute its charitable giving to local community projects like these.

“Our job is to harness the spirit of local philanthropy, connecting local donors and funders to local people running grassroots initiatives, tackling some of the most challenging social and health challenges on our doorstep.”

To find out more about the myLakeland Fund, click here or contact Annalee Holiday via annalee@cumbriafoundation.org or on 01900 825760 to check eligibility.