Youth workers, youth projects and young volunteers across Cumbria will be celebrated at a new awards ceremony later this year – and you can help choose the winners.

The Better Tomorrows Awards 2025 will shine a spotlight on the people and projects making a real difference in the lives of young people. Nominations are now open for three categories: Youth Worker of the Year, Youth Project of the Year, and Young Volunteer of the Year.

NOMINATE HERE

The awards are part of the annual Better Tomorrows Celebration Event, which brings together youth workers, young people, funders, and community organisations. This year’s event will take place on 12 November at Carlisle Youth Zone, where the winners will be announced in front of a live audience.

Better Tomorrows was launched in 2021 with the aim of substantially increasing the number of young people able to access quality youth work across Cumbria and also increasing the number of trained youth workers

David Beeby, Chair of Cumbria Community Foundation and founder of the Better Tomorrows programme, said: “The feedback we have had from the newly trained youth workers, the young people they support and the organisations they work in tells us that Better Tomorrows is making a huge difference across the county.

“These awards are a chance to recognise and celebrate the incredible work happening across our communities – both paid and voluntary – to support and inspire young people.”

The awards are part of the wider Better Tomorrows initiative, which has trained more than 50 accredited youth workers, funded over 50 new youth work roles, and engaged more than 5,000 young people across Cumbria.

As well as funding to pay for accredited youth work training, which is managed by Cumbria Youth Alliance, Better Tomorrows also offers multi-year grants of up to £75,000 to community organisations that set up or provide new youth work opportunities for local people.

More than 50 funders have contributed to the programme, including Cumbria Community Foundation, Francis Scott Trust, Four Acre Trust, Nuclear Waste Services, many local businesses and the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

A shortlist will be chosen in each category from public nominations, which are open from now until 30 September. The awards will be judged by a panel of young people.

Nominations can be submitted at www.cumbriafoundation.org/programmes/better-tomorrows/better-tomorrows-awards

For more information about Better Tomorrows, and how to support it, contact Annalee Holliday, Head of Grants Practice & Programmes at Cumbria Community Foundation on 01900 820827 or email annalee@cumbriafoundation.org.

A fundraising campaign to support a Cumbrian community devastated by a fatal fire has been shortlisted for a prestigious award, where the public will choose the winner.

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Cumbria Community Foundation, working in partnership with the Kirkby Lonsdale Business and Community Recovery Partnership and Westmorland and Furness Council, launched the Kirkby Lonsdale Fire Disaster Recovery Appeal in December last year. It supported people directly affected by the town centre fire, in which one person sadly died and many homes and businesses were destroyed.

Westmorland and Furness Council donated £50,000 and the Appeal was generously supported by individuals, community groups, businesses and funders.

Community fundraising events included students and staff of Queen Elizabeth School holding a ‘wear something festive’ day and local groups donating funds from events such as carol singing, drumming and sponsored runs. An auction of original artwork, with paintings kindly donated by the artists, was also held.

Donations were also received from businesses and funders, including Cumbria Freemasons, Electricity North West, Francis Scott Trust, Frieda Scott Trust, the Hadfield Trust, WCF Fuels North West and United Utilities.

Thanks to the funds raised the Foundation, working together with the Kirkby Lonsdale Business and Community Recovery Partnership and Westmorland and Furness Council, has to date awarded grants totalling £120,500 to 83 households and four community groups.

Now this partnership has been shortlisted for the Fundraising Feat of the Year Award in the Cumbria Life Awards 2025 – previously known as the Readers’ Choice Awards as the winners are chosen by public vote.

To vote for the Kirkby Lonsdale Fire Disaster Recovery Appeal Partnership, please go to:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CLAWARDS25

Dr Jenny Benson, Director of Programmes and Partnerships at Cumbria Community Foundation, said: “What an honour for the Kirkby Lonsdale Fire Disaster Recovery Appeal Partnership to be shortlisted for this prestigious award. It was a privilege to work together with the Kirkby Lonsdale Business and Community Partnership and Westmorland and Furness Council to support the community at such a challenging time.

“Thanks to the generosity of all the people who supported the appeal, we were able to both raise and distribute significant funds to help people who had been directly impacted by the devastating fire. Only by working together, were we able to ensure that the majority of initial hardship grants were received before Christmas.

“We are delighted to have been shortlisted for this award and would love people to vote for us, in recognition of this incredible team effort.”

Angela Jones, of Westmorland and Furness Council and Chair of the Strategic Recovery Co-ordination Group said: “The fire caused significant hardship and emotional distress to the whole Kirkby Lonsdale community and the town will continue to recover for some time to come.

“The response in the days and weeks after this tragedy was wonderful to see, with so many people stepping up to fundraise and volunteer.

“We are honoured to be shortlisted for this award and would love to win, as a way of recognising the efforts of all involved.”

Councillor Paul Cassell, Chair of Kirkby Lonsdale Town Council and a member of the Kirkby Lonsdale Business and Community Recovery Partnership, said: “The members of the Recovery Partnership are honoured to be shortlisted for this award. During and after the fire, it was heartwarming to see the support and generosity of our community and the wider community of Kirkby Lonsdale.

“Working together with the various community groups and local authorities helped the partnership to focus on the needs of those impacted by the fire. It is a privilege to be part of a partnership that worked tirelessly to provide assistance and to support so many affected by this tragic event.”

Whilst the Kirkby Lonsdale Fire Disaster Recovery Appeal is now closed there is an opportunity support the town’s Build Back Kirkby Lonsdale programme.

Led by the Kirkby Lonsdale Community Partnership, the appeal will raise vital funds to improve the town’s business and community offer, and promote individual and collective recovery through the development of shared community priorities.

To support the Build Back Kirkby Lonsdale Appeal, please contact Lyn Richardson by emailing lyn.richardson@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk

Vote in the Cumbria Life Awards 2025

Ten teenage entrepreneurs from West Cumbria impressed an audience with tales of their business successes – and challenges – at a celebration event last week.

The young people, aged between 15 and 18, all took part in the Positive Enterprise programme, an initiative from Cumbria Community Foundation and the Centre for Leadership Performance (CforLP) to help young people go into business.

They were each given a £1,000 grant at the start of this year to launch or develop their own business, coming up with ideas ranging from selling crochet kits and outdoor wear, to garden maintenance and app development.

They all received six months of mentoring from an experienced local businessperson, and skills and leadership development opportunities from CforLP.

At a celebration event at Rosehill Theatre in Whitehaven, the participants gave a presentation about their business, explaining where their idea had come from, and talking through the successes and challenges they had faced.

Two were chosen by the judges to receive a further cash injection into their business.

Impressing them most was Elwood Razzetti, 17, of Wigton, with his company Madmarras, which he describes as “bold, Cumbrian streetwear inspired by the local fells.”

He designs T-shirts and hoodies featuring iconic landscapes such as Striding Edge, which he hopes to sell in Tourist Information Centres, markets and events across the county.

Elwood said: “I really believe this is just the start. This summer is the time – I’m going to push forward with the business, get going with my social media accounts and hopefully really make a success of it.”

Elwood received an extra grant of £1,000, while £500 went to Isla Hadden, 16, of Maryport, who was highly commended by the judges for her business Iris Vintage.

Isla upcycles and sells vintage clothing online, with the aim of making shoppers be more conscious of the environmental and ethical consequences of their buying habits.

“Many people prefer convenience over sustainability,” she said. “I want to use my business to promote my values. I’m climate conscious in all of my decisions.”

David Beeby, Chair of Cumbria Community Foundation, presented certificates to all the participants and praised them for their efforts.

He told them: “Be proud of what you have achieved, what you have learned and how it will help you in the future. If this business you have created doesn’t turn out to be what you want to do with your life – don’t worry. Try something else. You’ll have learned so much along the way, from each other and from your mentors.”

One of this year’s mentors, Georgina Goulding, owner of Bakes by Gina and the newly opened Beach Road Bakehouse in St Bees, gave the keynote speech with some words of advice. She told them: “Keep reinvesting in your business. Don’t see risks as a risk but as an opportunity. Don’t be scared to say you don’t know and ask for help.

“As a mentor, it has been absolutely amazing taking part in this scheme and I really hope to be involved again in the future.”

This was the third year of the Positive Enterprise programme, 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.

The programme is delivered by the Centre for Leadership Performance. Executive Director Catherine Eve said: “Once again we have been blown away by the drive and creativity of all the young entrepreneurs. With the invaluable support from their mentors and our practical workshops and programme of support, they’ve developed key employability and entrepreneurial skills such as negotiation, time management, and business knowledge. I feel sure they will all go on to great things in the future.”

Annalee Holliday, Head of Grants Practice & Programmes at Cumbria Community Foundation, said: “Thank you to all of the donors who have funded this truly transformational programme, which will no doubt have a lasting effect on the young people involved throughout their careers.

“We look forward to recruiting the next group of young entrepreneurs in the autumn.”

Stuart McCourt, Social Impact Manager at Sellafield Ltd, said: “We were delighted to support Positive Enterprise again this year. It is a programme with a proven track record, with many previous participants going on to run successful businesses or find employment using the skills they have learned.

“Having attended the launch event back in January, it was wonderful to catch up with this year’s cohort six months later and to hear of the ups and downs of their business journeys.”

The other participants were:
• Jorja Atkins, 17 of Whitehaven, who makes and sells crocheted items, from clothes to stuffed toys, under the brand Made by JJA
• Finn Blakely, 17, of Keswick, who has developed an app called Go Local Keswick to help businesses in the town promote their special offers and deals to customers
• Laila Brown, 17, of Maryport, who sells crochet kits with accompanying video tutorials, through her business Crochet Cove
• Thomas Henderson, 18, of Cockermouth, who runs a garden maintenance business called Greenblades
• Isaac Musgrave, 16, of Whitehaven, who makes handmade wooden crafts and refurbishes unwanted furniture and objects through his business Walkmill Design
• Sofiya Nealy, 17, of Maryport, who creates mental health wellness boxes through her firm Bright Beginnings
• Isabelle Walker, 15, of Whitehaven, who sells “timelessly beautiful attire” through her pre-Raphaelite-inspired business Emerald Bella Rose
• Oliver Woodend, 15, of Whitehaven, who sells comfortable, affordable gym wear through his business Woodend

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

A new report shining a light on the opportunities and challenges facing West Cumbrian communities will be launched at an online event on Tuesday 29 July at 4pm.

The launch will also introduce a brand-new interactive dashboard to bring the data to life like never before.

The West Cumbria: Opportunities and Challenges 2025 community needs report was commissioned by Sellafield Ltd and produced by Cumbria Community Foundation. It updates the findings of an earlier report published in 2019.

The original report laid the foundation for the £6.5 million Transforming West Cumbria social investment programme, a groundbreaking initiative funded by Sellafield Ltd and delivered by the Foundation to tackle the area’s most pressing social challenges.

Since then, Covid-19 and the cost-of-living crisis have significantly reshaped the region’s social and economic landscape. Against that backdrop, the new report provides an update on six key themes: Growing Up, Employment & Skills, Living, Health & Wellbeing, Ageing Well, and Strong Communities.

The 2025 report highlights a number of areas where significant progress has been made, but also clearly demonstrates the increased challenges communities face.

It shows the area has a strong sense of community, with more than 15,000 volunteers, good schools and a vibrant visitor economy. It is globally recognised as a Centre of Nuclear Excellence, with thousands of jobs and specialist expertise in the sector.

But there has been a significant increase in the number of mental health referrals, with the suicide rate the second highest in England. The area has a super-ageing population, high levels of childhood obesity, and worrying levels of personal debt.

The interactive dashboard that will accompany the report is a dynamic, user-friendly platform that will be regularly updated with the latest data. It’s designed to enable people to explore the findings in real time, identify trends, and support evidence-based action across the region.

Tracey West, Senior Social Impact Manager at Sellafield Ltd, said: “So much good work has been done since the first West Cumbria: Opportunities and Challenges report was published. We know how effective the Transforming West Cumbria programme has been in changing lives for the better. A recent independent evaluation confirmed it had generated £19.9 million in social value so far – delivering an incredible £5.34 for every £1 invested.

“But we are also acutely aware of how great the need still is in our communities and how an unprecedented pandemic alongside a major financial crisis have exacerbated existing issues and presented new difficulties to resolve.

“Importantly the interactive dashboard will enable people to explore the findings in real time, identify trends, and support evidence-based action across West Cumbria.”

Dr Jenny Benson, Director of Programmes and Partnerships at Cumbria Community Foundation, said: “Updating this report has enabled us to take a deep dive into some of the key data and look at where life has improved for West Cumbrians, and where there is still work to be done.

“One thing the report makes clear is that despite the many opportunities West Cumbria has to offer, too many people live in poverty or face challenges and too few achieve their potential.

“This area has an incredibly powerful network of voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations, and we know that the solutions to many of these problems lie within our communities. By working together with businesses, charities, community groups and individuals, we can achieve significant and lasting change.”

West Cumbria: Opportunities and Challenges 2025 will be officially launched at an online event on Tuesday 29 July at 4pm. All are welcome to attend.

Book your place at the online launch.

Read the report.

Case studies:

The report features stories of change from across West Cumbria, highlighting efforts to tackle some of the most pressing issues in recent years.

Known locally as the Freedom Project, West Cumbria Domestic Violence Support has been supporting families suffering from the trauma of domestic and sexual abuse since 1997. It receives funding from the Family Wellbeing strand of Transforming West Cumbria.

Demand for the charity’s services has steadily increased in the past few years, especially since the Covid-19 pandemic. Last year referrals increased by 30%.

Manager Vicky Pike said: “Demand for our services continues to rise. Last year, we supported 607 people. We have increased our staffing levels to help meet demand and allow people to receive immediate support once they reach out.”

One woman supported by the charity after leaving an abusive relationship said: “Being able to speak through what happened helped me process the trauma in a safe and secure environment. Before the support, I couldn’t see myself reaching 23; now I am planning far ahead into my future, and I can’t believe the difference in myself.”

Better Tomorrows was launched by Cumbria Community Foundation in 2021 to address the significant under-investment in youth work in the previous decade. The programme has seen a substantial increase in the number of trained youth workers and the number of young people able to access quality youth work.

Kelly Bell, youth worker at South Whitehaven Youth Partnership, said: “We’ve been able to extend our youth work offer to those who wouldn’t have had access to youth workers before and helped several young people gain ASDAN [employability skills] awards as well.”

Key findings from the report:

Growing Up: Most schools in West Cumbria are now rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted and additional investments have provided much needed support. These include Cumberland Council’s first Family Hub, Transforming West Cumbria’s Family Wellbeing programme, Western Excellence in Learning and Leadership (WELL) designed to improve attainment, and initiatives by nuclear supply chain companies aimed at helping to raise the aspirations of young people in schools.

However, there has been a significant increase in referrals to mental health services for young people, and the rate of children in care in West Cumbria exceeds the national average. Autism, speech language and communication needs are also on the rise and obesity rates remain higher than the national average.

Employment and Skills: West Cumbria is internationally recognised as a centre of nuclear expertise, offering well-paid jobs, high quality skills development and supply chain opportunities. This is complemented by a thriving visitor economy and major regeneration initiatives.

However, the number of people claiming Universal Credit is rising, and the rate of those out of work due to ill health has reached a record high. The region faces further challenges from an ageing population and the outward migration of young people.

Living: West Cumbria boasts two world heritage sites, an area of outstanding natural beauty, world class visitor attractions and strong sense of community. House prices and crime rates remain lower than national averages.

But an increasing number of people are ‘just about managing’ and at risk of falling into significant financial hardship, particularly while mortgage and credit payments remain high. Households have endured substantial increases in the cost of essential items like food and energy, leaving many in or on the edge of poverty.

Health and Wellbeing: West Cumbria continues to demonstrate significantly high levels of chronic illness and has seen a growing mental health crisis. Rates of drug related deaths, self-harm and suicide are exceptionally high. The combined impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis has had further negative consequences, including an increase in domestic violence.

Ageing Well: For many older people, later life can be hugely enjoyable – presenting opportunities to volunteer, take up new hobbies and reap the rewards of years spent working and raising families.

In contrast, there are concerning levels of poverty among older people, who struggle to heat their homes and afford nutritious food. With a super-ageing population, the region has higher rates of long-term illness and disability, including a growing prevalence of dementia.

Strong and Connected Communities: West Cumbria’s strong sense of community spirit has helped many people navigate the challenges of the last few years. Working collaboratively to address issues has become the norm and VCSE (voluntary, community and social enterprise) organisations have helped to tackle a wide range of social, environmental and local economic issues.

But demands on the VCSE sector are increasing as the need for services rise and resources become more limited.

A charity trustee is taking on an incredible endurance challenge to raise funds for local Cumbrian communities.

Cumbria Community Foundation trustee Patrick Boggon has chosen to mark his 60th birthday by cycling the length of Scandinavia.

Covering a staggering 3,000km on two wheels, Patrick will set off this Sunday (13 July) in the Arctic Circle and is aiming to reach northern Germany by September.

He is hoping to raise £5,000 for the Sharing Fund, a new fund managed by the Community Foundation to support people and community groups across Cumbria who are facing real challenges – whether hardship, isolation, or just needing a bit of help to get back on their feet.

Any donations up to £5,000 will be matched £ for £ by an anonymous donor, doubling the impact of donations.

Patrick said: “Enjoying an adventure while trying to put something back into my community seems like a good way of marking my 60th birthday. Cumbria has been a wonderful home to me and my daughters for the last 30 years and we have been lucky enough to get the help we needed to navigate the rocky periods of life when they came along. It seems a good idea to put something back into the county that has given me so much and help others in the future.”

Caroline Adams, Development Manager at Cumbria Community Foundation, said: “We are delighted that Patrick has chosen to take on this epic European challenge in support of Cumbrian communities in need. All of our trustees are volunteers who give a huge amount of their time and expertise to support the Foundation, so for Patrick to also take on this gruelling cycle challenge really is incredible.”

Support Patrick and donate to the Sharing Fund here.

Cumbria Community Foundation awards around £7 million in grants annually through over 100 funds created by local people, families, and businesses who want to make a difference.

To find out more about setting up a fund or supporting those in need across Cumbria, please contact Caroline Adams, Development Manager, on 01900 820825 or email caroline@cumbriafoundation.org.