Does your community need funding to build its resilience to flooding and other emergencies?

Cumbria Community Foundation is offering grants of up to £2,000 for community groups, including town and parish councils, from the Cumbria Innovative Flood Resilience (CiFR) project, part of the Flood and Coastal Innovation Programmes, funded by Defra and delivered via the Environment Agency.

This funding can be used for equipment and training to improve local resilience.

To apply, your group must:

• Have a community emergency plan (or be working on one)
• Consider flood risk as part of the plan

The CiFR team can help you with this – just email CiFR@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk and they’ll put you in contact with the most appropriate person to support you.

Find out more about grant funding and apply at https://www.cumbriafoundation.org/fund/cifr-community-flood-resilience-fund/

This project is funded by Defra as part of the £200 million Flood and Coastal Innovation Programmes which is managed by the Environment Agency. The programmes will drive innovation in flood and coastal resilience and adaptation to a changing climate.

Need help with planning?

You can find template community emergency plans on the ACTion with Communities in Cumbria website at https://www.cumbriaaction.org.uk/what-we-do/community-emergency-planning.

And you can check your flood risk on the gov.uk website (by postcode, or by looking at a map) – don’t forget to look at the risk of flooding from surface water, rivers and the sea. You can now also see what your flood risk is likely to be in the 2050s:

• https://check-long-term-flood-risk.service.gov.uk/postcode
• https://check-long-term-flood-risk.service.gov.uk/map

Prepare now—build a stronger, flood-resilient community!

A groundbreaking initiative tackling West Cumbria’s most pressing social challenges is delivering exceptional impact and value for money, transforming lives and strengthening communities.

Transforming West Cumbria was created to address the region’s most deep-rooted social challenges, with the aim of driving positive change where it’s needed most, through the power of local partnerships.

Funded through the Sellafield Ltd Social impact, multiplied (SiX) programme, and delivered by Cumbria Community Foundation, the £6.5 million programme was developed in response to the West Cumbria: Opportunities and Challenges 2019 report.

An independent mid-programme evaluation by Forever Consulting confirms the programme’s success, revealing that Transforming West Cumbria has generated £19.9 million in social value – delivering an incredible £5.34 for every £1 invested. This figure was calculated using best practice methodology and includes factors such as jobs created, savings from children not having to go into care, and improvements to mental health and wellbeing.

The evaluation, conducted in 2024, assessed the effectiveness of the programme’s approach and its long-term impact. The findings highlight Transforming West Cumbria’s continued success:

• Directly supporting hundreds of local organisations and thousands of people.
• Responding proactively to emerging needs, from post-pandemic recovery to unprecedented cost of living crisis.
• Benefiting from a significant level of investment from Sellafield Ltd.
• Achieving significant outcomes and impact across seven programme areas, including enhancing financial wellbeing, mental health support, entrepreneurship, and community development.
• Being needs-led and data-driven, leveraging local knowledge and encouraging collaborative partnership working between the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE), private and public sectors to ensure long-term impact.

The report emphasises the Community Foundation’s exceptional management and governance, with steering groups from all sectors helping to guide the programme and ensure it remains dynamic, responsive, and impactful.

Transforming West Cumbria has created positive change across three levels:

• For Individuals & Communities – increased resilience, financial security, mental health support, youth empowerment, and volunteering opportunities.
• For Projects & Delivery Partners – stronger partnerships, better collaboration, and a more resilient Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector.
• At a Programme Level – coordinated delivery, efficient use of resources, and lasting generational change for West Cumbria.

The evaluation’s recommendations are already being implemented, shaping future delivery and ensuring continued impact for years to come.

Eirini Etoimou, Head of Corporate Sustainability & Supply Chain Development at Sellafield Ltd, said: “We are delighted that this independent evaluation has recognised the wide-ranging, lasting impact the Transforming West Cumbria programme has had on local communities since it was launched in 2020. We set out with the ambitious aim of tackling the causes of inequality in the area’s most vulnerable communities, working in partnership with groups on the ground to bring about long-lasting, transformational change. The evaluation report recognises that we have achieved this and more, adapting the programme to address the additional challenges as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and the cost of living crisis.

“Transforming West Cumbria has directly supported hundreds of local organisations and thousands of individuals and families, achieving significant outcomes in mental health support, financial wellbeing, early years development and many, many more areas. We look forward to continuing this work and seeing the impact of the programme for many years to come.”

Dr Jenny Benson, Director of Programmes & Partnerships at Cumbria Community Foundation, said: “Thanks to Sellafield Ltd’s significant investment and support over the last five years we have been able to deliver the Transforming West Cumbria programme with our partners and achieve great impact. Vitally by working together, we have made a positive difference to hundreds of organisations and thousands of people in West Cumbria. We are delighted that our combined efforts have created such exceptional social value. We are excited about incorporating the learning from the evaluation to develop our practice even further.”

The Transforming West Cumbria: Mid-programme Evaluation report can be read at https://www.cumbriafoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/24-11-11-Transforming-West-Cumbria-Evaluation_Report.pdf

Ten teenagers from across West Cumbria are launching their own businesses, thanks to a programme run by Cumbria Community Foundation and the Centre for Leadership Performance (CforLP).

The young entrepreneurs have been chosen to take part in the Positive Enterprise programme and will each receive a £1,000 grant, plus workshops, expert advice, mentoring and the opportunity to shadow local entrepreneurs.

Each participant will also be paired with an experienced businessperson to act as a mentor and guide them through highs and lows of running their own business.

This year’s programme was launched at The Rum Story in Whitehaven, where participants and their families, mentors and organisers had chance to get to know each other and hear about previous success stories.

Chloe Pennington took part in Positive Enterprise in 2024 and her business, Chloe’s Chateau, is booming. She sells original art and gifts, transforming her own brightly coloured, hand-drawn artwork showing scenes from West Cumbria and beyond into prints, mugs and other giftware.

Chloe told this year’s participants: “It has been amazing. Through this scheme, I’ve met so many people who have helped me.

“My advice would be, network as much as you can and take every opportunity that you get from this process. You’ll get out of it what you put in.”

Another Positive Enterprise success is Aaron Groggins, who launched his events business Lakeland Life on the programme last year. In November he organised the first Eat Street Cumbria event in Whitehaven, a street food market which attracted 5,000 visitors and brought £74,000 into the local economy.

“If I hadn’t signed up to Positive Enterprise, it wouldn’t have happened,” Aaron said. “A great amount of people have helped me along the way. Positive Enterprise is the perfect place to try out your ideas.”

This year’s participants have a wide range of business ideas, from selling crochet starter kits, gym wear and wellness boxes, to offering services such as property maintenance and tech services for older people.

Isabelle Walker, 15, of Whitehaven, makes hand-sewn fashion accessories and has already had some success selling online. She hopes Positive Enterprise will help her take her business to the next level. She said: “I need help learning to budget and organise my business, gain visibility on the internet, develop my brand and how to sell locally. I also really need a new sewing machine so the £1,000 grant will pay for that.”

Glenn Anderson, of Proud and Diverse Cumbria, is a Positive Enterprise mentor for the first time this year. “It’s a real privilege to be asked to be a mentor, to pass on a bit of my experience and to help mould the minds of our future leaders and workforce. If you have somebody who has already been there, it has to help, when setting up your own business.”

This is the third year of the scheme, which is funded by property developer Brian Scowcroft with match funding this year from Sellafield Ltd, under its Transforming West Cumbria programme, and the Beverley Trust Fund.

Stuart McCourt, Social Impact Manager at Sellafield Ltd, said: “We are delighted to support Positive Enterprise again this year and it was great to meet the participants and see the enthusiasm they have for their business ideas. Hearing the success stories from the previous beneficiaries shows how valuable the programme is, not only supporting young entrepreneurs to get started, but to also give them the tools that they need for their business to become sustainable and grow.”

The programme is delivered by the Centre for Leadership Performance. Jemma Groves, Project Lead for (CforLP), said: “Positive Enterprise is an absolutely fantastic opportunity for our young people to make their mark in the business world and coaching them through this is an honour.

“This year we have a group of super intelligent, charismatic and creative individuals and I am so excited to support them over the next six months. Some, if not all, of the young people that go through this programme are our future leaders in business and Positive Enterprise gives us the opportunity to nourish their growth.”

Annalee Holliday, Head of Grants Practice & Programmes at Cumbria Community Foundation, said: “Positive Enterprise has had a truly transformational effect on the lives of the young entrepreneurs supported in the first two years of the programme, and I can’t wait to see how this year’s cohort develop and grow in the coming months.

“Thank you for the support of our funders and mentors giving up their time to share their skills and experience.”

For more information visit www.cumbriafoundation.org/transforming-west-cumbria/positive-enterprise/

Cumbria Community Foundation would like to thank everyone who has given so generously to the Kirkby Lonsdale Fire Disaster Recovery Appeal, which remains open for donations.

The appeal was launched by the Foundation at the request of the Kirkby Lonsdale Business and Community Recovery Partnership, following the devastating fire in the town on 8 December 2024. More than 100 residential properties and 84 business properties in the town centre were directly impacted by the fire, in which one person died and another was injured.

Launched with a donation of £50,000 from Westmorland and Furness Council, the appeal has since been supported by individuals, community fundraising events, community groups, businesses, local charitable trusts and foundations.

In partnership with the Kirkby Lonsdale Business and Community Recovery Partnership and Westmorland and Furness Council, the Foundation has awarded a total of £87,500 across two phases to support 83 households.

If funds allow, the Foundation hopes to support community organisations that have been helping local people through the recovery process.

Dr Jenny Benson, Director of Programmes & Partnerships at Cumbria Community Foundation, said: “It has been a privilege to work with the Kirkby Lonsdale Business and Community Recovery Partnership and Westmorland and Furness Council to support people affected by the devastating fire. By working together, we have been able to ensure that donated funds have reached those most in need. This swift turnaround would not have been possible without the council officers helping people on the ground in Kirkby Lonsdale to apply, and the support provided by the Community Hub and associated community organisations – a huge thanks to everyone involved.”

Funding has been used to support those directly affected by the fire, including those left permanently or temporarily homeless and those whose business or job was lost as a result of the disaster.

Comments from some of those receiving grants included:

• “Many thanks for your kind grant; it is very much appreciated. All of our community are very grateful for the fantastic support work done by the council and our Community Hub.”
• “I have received the money transferred into my account, and want to thank everyone involved for their care, support, empathy, and sensitivity over the past few days. It has made a huge difference.”
• “Thank you so much for this, we as a family appreciate it very much and this will help us tremendously, as we get through the next few weeks of the unknown for us.”

The appeal has received very generous donations from individuals, businesses and community groups, both in and around Kirkby Lonsdale itself and further afield.

A group from the nearby village of Hutton Roof carol sing for charity every year and this Christmas chose to donate the money raised to the appeal. Members of Capernwray Evangelical Church also supported the fund through carol singing, in and around Arkholme, and Drum Nation samba band busked to raise funds, with members of the band also donating.

Students and staff of Queen Elizabeth School and QEStudio in Kirkby Lonsdale held a ‘wear something festive’ and cake sale fundraising day in aid of the appeal.

Jo Ritzema, Executive Chair of WCF Fuels North West, explained why the firm had decided to support the appeal. She said: “Like many others we couldn’t fail to be moved by the sad events in Kirkby Lonsdale, more poignant given the time of year. Our customers live in rural communities and rely heavily on local services. It’s important that we all support the town however we can to get back on its feet to ensure its long-term success.”

Donations have also been received from organisations including Cumbria Freemasons, and charitable trusts including the Francis Scott Trust and Frieda Scott Trust.

Steve Curl, Chair of Trustees for the Francis Scott Trust, said: “The Francis Scott Trust are shocked and saddened at the disaster that has impacted the Kirkby Lonsdale community. To all of those affected, please know that you are in our thoughts both now and in the days and months ahead. We are pleased to be able to support you.”

The appeal remains open for donations, with a fundraising target of £150,000.

Dr Jenny Benson said: “We know that many people affected by the fire will need considerable support for several months to come, so I would urge anyone who hasn’t yet donated to the appeal to give if they are able. We will ensure your donation reaches those who need it most.”

To donate to the Kirkby Lonsdale Fire Disaster Recovery Fund, please visit: https://cumbriafoundation.enthuse.com/cf/kirkby-lonsdale-fire-disaster-recovery-appeal

To find out more about the fund, please visit: https://www.cumbriafoundation.org/fund/kirkby-lonsdale-fire-disaster-recovery-fund/