Cumbria Community Foundation has welcomed three new members to its board of trustees.

Patrick Boggon, Georgina Smith and Rachael Stephenson were officially appointed at the Foundation’s March board meeting.

Patrick Boggon is the founder and Director of Tarnside Consulting. He has spent his career helping charities and not-for-profits maximise their fundraising potential.

This has included setting up a brain injury rehabilitation centre at the Calvert Trust; transforming Auckland Castle from an under-used bishop’s palace to a top visitor attraction, leading to regeneration in the area; doubling the income at Newcastle Hospitals charities; and supporting domestic abuse charities with training and coaching.

Patrick said: “It is a privilege to join the board of Cumbria Community Foundation and I look forward to contributing to its future. I believe the Foundation is worth investing in because it has an insight into, and an understanding of, the county that ensures the grants it makes are truly effective.

“It therefore adds value to both the philanthropists that want to give in Cumbria and the grassroots charitable organisation making a day-to-day difference to people’s lives.”

Georgina Smith is a Senior Associate Solicitor at Napthens, based in the Wills and Estate Planning department at the Kendal office. She is a full member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and a dementia champion. She works closely with the rural department, and has a real passion for assisting rural and farming families.

Georgina is a proud Cumbrian, attending school in Cartmel and later, Barrow Sixth Form. She has seen firsthand some of the challenges Cumbria faces.

Georgina said: “I have supported local charities both professionally and personally and am honoured to accept the role of Trustee with the foundation so I can assist it in whatever is required, utilising my experience, knowledge and links within the local community.”

Rachael Stephenson is a Partner in the Private Client team at Cumbria-based law firm, Muckle LLP. Having practiced in Cumbria since 2007, her specialisms include dealing with the succession planning needs associated with complex family arrangements. Her particular areas of expertise include advising on charitable and private trusts and personal planning for business owners.

As a trustee of several Cumbrian charities, including Eden Valley Hospice & Jigsaw, Rachael promotes philanthropy in all its forms. She is experienced in helping people to realise their goals; giving as much as they can, in a tax-efficient way, whilst making the greatest impact to those in need.

Born and bred in the Eden Valley, Rachael was educated at Casterton School, Kirkby Lonsdale. She now lives near Carlisle with her partner and two young daughters. As a family, they spend their free time exploring; up in the hills, out on the lakes or playing on a beach.

Rachael said: “I’m delighted to have been chosen as a trustee for Cumbria Community Foundation. Acting as a trustee of several local charities over the years, I’ve had the privilege of seeing first-hand the outstanding impact of the work and contribution of the Community Foundation. I look forward to working with an amazing team of people supporting charities in the county.”

Andy Beeforth, Chief Executive of Cumbria Community Foundation, said: “I’m so pleased to have Georgina, Rachael and Patrick joining the board. We were delighted with the range and quality of people applying to fill these volunteer roles and look forward to working with them to grow the philanthropic funds we hold on behalf of the people of Cumbria.”

The new trustees join a board of 16 current members, chaired by David Beeby, former CEO of the Innovia Group.

Good causes across South Cumbria are benefiting from the generosity of shoppers at kitchenware retailer Lakeland.

The Windermere-based business, which has 58 shops and mail order customers all over the country, launched myLakeland in 2019. Club members get exclusive savings and offers and each time they shop, a few pence go to charity.

Some is donated to national organisations such as Shelter, the Trussell Trust and Woodland Trust but local charities benefit too through the myLakeland Community Fund, administered by Cumbria Community Foundation.

Steve Knights, Chief Executive of Lakeland, said: “Here at Lakeland, we’re proud of doing our bit to support local and national causes. As a business, we regularly make contributions of both money and Lakeland products to organisations across the country, we also have our carrier bag fund which we donate the money generated from our 10p carrier bag charge to an environmental cause each year.

“Back in 2019, we launched our fantastic myLakeland loyalty club that gives members not only a huge range of savings but also every time customers make a purchase with us, we’ll add some pennies to our myLakeland charity pot. This charity pot supports both local and national causes, benefiting a range of charities close to our Lake District base with the help of the Cumbria Community Foundation. We are really proud to give this money to help charities carry on with their amazing work in the community.”

Sixteen groups in South Cumbria have benefited from a share of £150,000 since the fund was established in 2022.

They include the Kent Estuary Youth Project (KEY), which is receiving £30,000 over three years to cover running costs.

Trustee Hilary Fordham said: “The funding helps pay for our two full-time youth workers and a part-time admin assistant, and towards venues and equipment.”

KEY provides youth clubs, holiday activities and summer residentials for youngsters aged 11-19 in three villages: Milnthorpe, Arnside and Storth. It engaged with 200 young people last year.

Hilary added: “We’re a small charity. Without this funding we’d have to make difficult decisions about letting somebody go. Funders that support core running costs are few and far between, so we’re very grateful.”

South Lakeland Action on Climate Change has received £20,000 for its Waste into Wellbeing project, which takes food from supermarkets, shops and eateries that would otherwise be wasted to turn into nourishing meals.
These are provided on a pay-what-you-can basis or redistributed to residents in need through the Kendal Community Food Larder and Kendal People’s Café.

Stacy Hurley, development manager for Waste into Wellbeing, said: “We operate from multiple venues and have been looking for a permanent base, which we’ve secured at the old United Reformed Church in Highgate, Kendal.

“There’s a sports hall on that site that Waste into Wellbeing is taking on. The myLakeland grant will enable us to install a state-of-the-art catering kitchen. It will also house our community cooking project.”

Angela White – a former surgeon from Kendal, also known as ‘The Running Granny’ – set up Going for Old, a social enterprise to promote action for healthy ageing throughout all stages of life.

Going for Old has received £3,671 from the myLakeland Community Fund to deliver health and wellbeing workshops for the over-50s.

Angela said: “These are aimed at people who are not currently typically physically active but who are looking to make changes to their health.
“An important part of the initiative is to provide ongoing support via social media and website to motivate people along their journey.

“We have previously piloted a few workshops but would not have been able to scale it up to reach more people without this grant.”

Annalee Holliday, Head of Grants Practice & Programmes at Cumbria Community Foundation, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting Lakeland, a home grown multi-million pound family business that is passionate in supporting some of the lesser-known local voluntary groups working in areas where their retail shops are based. The team at Lakeland are involved in reviewing funding requests and make the decisions of which ones to support, which creates a collective understanding of local issues.”

In 2024, Lakeland is celebrating its 60th year of innovation and to celebrate this milestone are going to be making an additional donation to the Foundation. Keep your eyes peeled in the coming months to see how this will help in the community.

To find out more about the myLakeland Community Fund, click here.

Charity workers and volunteers from across Cumbria were rewarded and thanked at an award ceremony this week, recognising their tireless efforts to enhance and enrich their local communities.

Representatives from more than 20 voluntary and non-profit organisations were invited to the High Sheriff Award ceremony at Appleby Hub on Tuesday 19 March.

High Sheriff of Cumbria, Samantha Scott, has visited charities and voluntary organisations around the county throughout her year of office, which comes to an end this month.

She said: “This has been a truly inspirational year and I have been privileged to visit so many amazing charities and voluntary organisations who do so much to support their communities and make Cumbria such a special place to live.

“The High Sheriff Awards are an opportunity for me to recognise and thank everyone, not only for the fantastic work they do, but also for the warm and generous welcome I have received from all corners of the county.

“Thank you to the Appleby Hub for hosting the event and for the delicious cream tea.”

The High Sheriff handed out 22 certificates alongside grant awards totalling £16,400 and issued three organisations with the prestigious High Sheriff’s Shield – Eden Rivers Trust, Wigton Theatre Club and 1st Wetheral Brownies.

Kate Jensen and Aaron Cockbain are co-chairs of Wigton Theatre Club, which has more than 110 members aged from five to 80. Kate said: “We have a really big team of volunteers who put hours and hours in to make sure the theatre really does benefit the whole community, and to have that recognised by the High Sheriff is wonderful.”

Aaron added: “The theatre is an expensive building to maintain – it dates back to 1884 – and we have invested a lot of money in it in recent years, putting in solar panels, refurbishing the foyer, putting in new toilets. There is always something else that needs doing so this grant will really help us ensure the building lasts.”

1st Wetheral Brownies was awarded the High Sheriff’s Shield in recognition of their incredible efforts in fundraising and community action. As well as tackling local issues such as littering and dog fouling, the youngsters have raised more than £10,000 towards Cumbria Community Foundation’s Winter Warmth Appeal by holding an annual sponsored sleep out for the past eight years.

Leader Janice Brown said: “Our Brownies are very community-minded, so it is wonderful to receive this recognition from the High Sheriff. We have many low-income families, including some from Ukraine, so this grant will be a huge help towards our residential trip to Liverpool later this year.”

The third recipient of the Shield was Eden Rivers Trust. Jenni Payne, Community Engagement and Volunteer Coordinator, said: “We have around 130 volunteers on our books and can get anywhere between one and 30 at a session. We really try to remove all the barriers that could stop someone from volunteering, whether those are cultural barriers, or reasons such as not having a car.

“We try to open up opportunities to as many people as possible. With any project, such as the work we have done to reintroduce water voles, volunteers do a lot of hard graft in the background.”

The awards are part of the High Sheriff’s Fund, managed by Cumbria Community Foundation, and publicly recognise both charities and individual volunteers who help improve their communities.

Annalee Holliday, Head of Grants Practice & Programmes at Cumbria Community Foundation, said: “There are an extraordinary number of voluntary and non-profit organisations working at the heart of our communities, and this is an opportunity for them to receive the recognition and support they deserve.”

Other groups to receive an award are: A Stitch Different, Bendrigg Trust
Carlisle Key, Citizens Advice Copeland, Coniston Mountain Rescue Team, Every Life Matters, Furness Multicultural Community Forum, Headway South Cumbria, iCan Wellbeing Group, Keswick Youth Centre Services, Marsh Street Arches & Gardens, Northern Fells Rural Community Development Group, Penrith Pumas, Shackles Off Youth Project, South Lakeland Action on Climate Change, South Whitehaven Youth Partnership, Springfield Domestic Abuse Support in South Lakeland, Susan’s Farm and Whitehaven Community Trust.

Cumbria Community Foundation is leading an initiative to improve exam performance and job opportunities for young people in Furness.

Its research shows that one-in-four of Furness’ working-age population have no qualifications, while one-in-10 young people are unemployed.

The research also shows that the best way to change this is to get young people involved in extracurricular and enrichment activities that motivate and inspire them.

The Foundation is commissioning a report into youth provision, identifying barriers to participation and making recommendations to influence decision makers in national and local government and to pitch to potential donors, businesses and third-sector organisations.

The work is being funded by Cumbria Community Foundation, BAE Systems and Cumbria Chamber of Commerce.

David Beeby, Chair of Cumbria Community Foundation, said: “We know that, in general, students who take part in extracurricular activities achieve greater academic success, a better character and social development and greater interest in community involvement. All these improve their job prospects.

“What we’re talking about here is informal learning, doing something outside the classroom or in addition to the main lesson that enriches and inspires learning, allowing students to explore their interests.

“We are looking to appoint experts to assess current approaches, consult stakeholders, explore best practice and provide recommendations for a more effective, efficient and impactful approach to the delivery of these extracurricular activities across Low and High Furness.”

The Foundation has a budget of £35,000, including VAT, for the report, which it hopes to launch by the end of June.

Details of the brief can be viewed at here. Submissions must be received by 10am on Monday, March 18.

Janet Garner, Future Workforce Director at BAE Systems, said: “We know there is a wealth of extra-curricular activity taking place in the local area currently, with lots of organisations working hard to support young people to achieve their full life potential. We are fully supportive of the research projects aims, ensuring we understand better how we can make our collective efforts, as effective as possible, supporting the needs and aspirations of young people and the needs of the local economy also.”

The initiative follows a report, Furness Opportunities and Challenges, which the Foundation produced in 2021 highlighting the problems Furness faces.

This led to a Skills Summit involving education providers, employment support agencies, businesses and the third sector, which identified the need for a better approach to extracurricular provision.

The family of Cockermouth musician, Bridget Hilton, is marking what would have been her 80th birthday by announcing the opening of Bridget’s Magical Music Pot.

Bridget died in 2018 from a brain tumour, after a short illness. In her memory, Bridget’s family set up a legacy fund to support community music making in West Cumbria.

Bridget’s Magical Music Pot has been created with the help of Cumbria Community Foundation.

After five years of fundraising, the fund has now reached £50,000, which has been invested to grow over time. The income generated annually from the endowed fund will be used to fund music projects.

Kate Parry, Bridget’s daughter, who lives in Cockermouth, commented:

“We’re so excited to have reached our target of £50,000. It means we can now open Bridget’s Magical Music Pot to applications. To arrive at this point on what would have been my mum’s 80th birthday feels just brilliant.”

David Hilton, Bridget’s husband, added:

“Bridget loved making music. As a music teacher, she spent her life bringing people together to play and have fun. That’s what she did and that’s what we want Bridget’s Magical Music Pot to support in her memory.”

The new fund will enable us to make a small number of grant awards of up to £500 each year, to community music groups of all shapes and sizes. David explained:

“When we say group, we mean anything from two people playing ukuleles together to a full choir or brass band. We envisage funding things like sheet music, equipment, tuition costs and room hire. Anything that makes it possible for people to come together and enjoy playing together, because we know how much good that does people.”

On behalf of the family, Alison Hilton, Bridget’s daughter added:

“We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has donated and fundraised to reach the £50,000 mark. People have been so generous and worked so hard to get us to this point. Even though we’ve reached our initial target, we’ll keep fundraising because the more we raise the more money we can give out in grants to people in West Cumbria.”

Jenny Benson, Director of Programmes & Partnerships at Cumbria Community Foundation, said:

“We would like to thank Bridget’s family for choosing the Foundation to manage their charitable giving in her memory. The memorial fund will continue to share Bridget’s love of music and encourage others to make music together for a long time to come. This is such a wonderful legacy for a truly remarkable and inspiring woman.”

Full details of Bridget’s Magical Music Pot can be found here.

To donate to Bridget’s Magical Music Pot, click here.

Ten young West Cumbrians are going into business thanks to an initiative from Cumbria Community Foundation and the Centre for Leadership Performance.

Positive Enterprise provides budding entrepreneurs with a £1,000 grant and support to make their business ideas a reality. It is funded by property developer Brian Scowcroft with match funding from Sellafield Ltd under its Transforming West Cumbria programme.

Seven young people took part when it began last year.

Another 10 have signed up for the 2024 scheme, launched last week at The Bus Station in Whitehaven.

David Beeby, Chair of Cumbria Community Foundation, said: “We set up Positive Enterprise because West Cumbria is under-represented, compared with other parts of the country, in terms of numbers of young entrepreneurs.

“We’ve got a very good crop this year, with a diverse range of businesses, and it will be exciting to see how they develop.”

Rhianna Smith, Early Careers Project Lead at the Centre for Leadership and Performance, in Cockermouth, said: “For the young people, it’s all about their development. Last year it was amazing to see the participants thrive, come out of their shells, build confidence and find something they loved doing.”

Positive Enterprise is open to anyone aged between 14 and 25 living in the former districts of Allerdale and Copeland.

As well as the grant, participants get six months’ support to include workshops, expert advice, mentoring and the opportunity to shadow local entrepreneurs.

Tracey West, Senior Social Impact Manager at Sellafield Ltd, said: “We want to encourage and support young entrepreneurs by making it easier for them to access the right advice at the right time, build a peer-led environment where they thrive alongside some financial assistance to get their business idea of the ground. I’m delighted Positive Enterprise is continuing to strengthen the growing network of young entrepreneurs in West Cumbria, by fuelling their ambition, confidence and commitment and helping them to succeed.”

This year’s Positive Enterprise participants are Isabelle Barratt, 17, of Distington; Meyrem Korkmaz, 16, of Maryport; Jasmine Riddick, 16, of Workington; Jackson Slack, 16, of Wigton; Haidee Trohear, 16, of Seascale; and Alfie Goodwin, 15, Aaron Groggins, 21, Ava Marshall, 15, Chloe Pennington, 15, and Scott Sharpe, 21, all from Whitehaven.

Their business ideas include an American-style laundromat, American candy and drinks, bespoke bouquets, pet accessories, beauty products, football coaching, artwork and personal gifts, and custom glassware.

While some are still at school, two are running their embryonic businesses while holding down full-time jobs.

Aaron Groggins, an electrical design engineer at Sellafield, will help businesses with online marketing, social media and web content.

He said: “Small businesses often can’t afford to employ someone to do this for them. My model is to help them grow a presence, develop social media channels and then leave them confident to continue the journey themselves.”

Scott Sharpe, an apprentice at Sellafield, is running a vintage clothing business.

He said: “The plan is to buy clothing from wholesalers, charity shops and car boot sales, then sell through a website and eventually get a shop.”

The launch at The Bus Station, attended by the participants and their families, heard from Millom entrepreneur Jenny Brumby who has been running businesses since she was 14 and is now a mentor for Positive Enterprise.

She advised them: “Keep it simple, do your market research, consider making your business a social enterprise to give something back, don’t fear failure, collaborate and work with each other. Most importantly, enjoy the journey.”

Also speaking was Amber Shankland who gave up her job as a wedding planner during Covid to set up a cake business, Love at First Bite, working initially from her then home in Distington. She stressed the benefits of being your own boss.

“There’s a sense of freedom in being able to pick your own ideas and work when you want,” she said.

“The good times outweigh the bad. It isn’t easy, you have to give everything to make it work, but you have that control. Try and be as unique as you can. It can be daunting but just put yourself out there.”

There was advice too from two of last year’s participants. Lennon Glass, of Cockermouth, took questions, while Luke Eilbeck, from Wigton, sent a video message telling the new intake: “Make the most of the support. I’m sure you’ll all be brilliant. I can’t wait to hear the success stories in a few months’ time.”

Cumbria Tourism has teamed up with Cumbria Community Foundation to launch a new charitable fund to support people embarking on a career in the county’s tourism industry.

Its new 50th Anniversary Fund, launched today to coincide with Cumbria Tourism’s landmark anniversary year, will help people aged 16+ access career opportunities in the tourism and hospitality industry.

Recognising the barriers faced by some as they contemplate a career in the industry, the fund will be administered by Cumbria Community Foundation. It will provide financial support for specialist equipment, training, study materials, travel costs, and more.

In turn, it’s hoped the extra support will enhance in-county opportunities and encourage a new raft of people who are interested in pursuing tourism and hospitality careers but have previously been put off by the associated costs.

Cumbria Tourism has set a fundraising target of £50,000 for 2024 for its 50th Anniversary Fund, with plans to replicate this over each of the next four years to create an Acorn fund that will continue giving long into the future.

To help reach its target, Cumbria Tourism will be holding a series of special fundraising events throughout the year, including a Cross Bay Walk and a Charity Golf Day. A number of fundraising social events will also be held and individual businesses will be encouraged to support the new fund. This will be supported by sales of the MyCumbria card, with 10% of all proceeds from the residents’ loyalty card going towards the new fund.

Acorn Funds are invested, with the returns being used to fund grants and ensure long-term support for the voluntary and community organisations that Cumbria Community Foundation works with.

Cumbria Tourism President, Jim Walker, comments: “In Cumbria Tourism’s 50th Anniversary year, we are not only looking back at the past five last decades, we’re also looking to the future and focusing on the new innovators who will help take our industry forward in the coming years.

“The new 50th Anniversary Fund is all about supporting new tourism talent – of any age – and giving them a helping hand as they launch their career in this diverse and fast-changing sector. With flexible working opportunities, live-in vacancies and new ways to promote work-life balance, we know there is something for everyone and want to give more people the chance to make their first step on their personal career paths.”

Chris Sanderson, a Trustee of Cumbria Community Foundation, says: “We are delighted to be working with the team at Cumbria Tourism and their members in their 50th Anniversary year to create this vital new fund that will underpin support to people starting off on their professional journey in the world of hospitality. Tourism is a mainstay of our economy, celebrating and promoting our landscapes, food, farming, culture and heritage.”

To qualify for Cumbria Tourism’s 50th Anniversary Fund, applicants must be aged 16 years or over and either live and study in Cumbria OR be newly employed in the county’s tourism and hospitality sector.
To find out more or to apply, click here or contact Tracy Cheesbrough on grants@cumbriafoundation.org or 01900 825760.