17th July 2025
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.
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.