Communities across Cumbria will benefit to the tune of £20,000 thanks to the generosity of local housebuilders.

Charitable and not-for-profit organisations throughout the county will be able to apply for their share of the annual £20,000 pot provided by Penrith-based Genesis Homes and its sister company Russell Armer Homes.

The fund, run in conjunction with Cumbria Community Foundation, has been created by the homebuilders to show their gratitude and ongoing support for the areas the companies build new developments in.

Genesis Homes was founded in 2017 by Managing Director Nicky Gordon, and the company has completed a number of housing developments in the north of Cumbria. Last year, the business acquired Russell Armer, which was established 60 years ago to construct new homes in South Cumbria and Lancashire.

Group Marketing Executive Katy Aris said: “We are really passionate about giving something back to the communities we serve, and what better way than to give organisations a real financial boost which will make a huge difference?

“We want to have a positive impact throughout our great county, because we all live and work here ourselves, and it is a great feeling to be able to support worthy causes.

“This is our way of saying a huge thank you for the incredible support of the local communities that have welcomed us with open arms. The ethos of Genesis Homes and Russell Armer Homes is to give something back wherever possible, and we couldn’t be prouder to be able to provide such a financial boost to Cumbria.”

The fund is managed by Cumbria Community Foundation and supports community-related environmental and educational activities run by local charitable groups that benefit communities in Allerdale, Copeland, Carlisle, Eden and South Lakeland. An organisation can apply for a grant up to the value of £3,000.

Grants can be awarded for costs and activities, including equipment, running costs for local groups, staff or sessional worker costs and environmental improvements to community facilities.

Group Managing Director Nicky Gordon said: “We know there are so many outstanding organisations out there that have a positive impact on the people in their community on a daily basis, and we are humbled to see how kind hearted and caring volunteers in the county truly are.

“It will be an absolute privilege to play our part in helping these great causes prosper and provide more vital support to so many local people. We can’t wait to find out more about these wonderful, inspirational organisations.”

Cumbria Community Foundation has been running for 22 years and has awarded more than £50 million in grants to groups and individuals across the county, and is delighted to be working with Genesis Homes and Russell Armer Homes.

Ellen Clements, Senior Grants and Programmes Officer at the Foundation, said: “We have worked with Russell Armer Homes since 2008 helping to distribute their charitable giving to more than 30 community projects.

“This new partnership and additional funding is a great boost and means we can continue to support local community groups and initiatives that make a big difference to the lives of those in genuine need.”

For more information on the fund, or to apply online, visit www.cumbriafoundation.org/fund/genesis-homes-russell-armer-fund. You can also call the grants team on 01900 825760.

Photo:

From left, Genesis Homes and Russell Armer Homes Marketing Executive Katy Aris, Purchase Ledger Administrator Judith Wills and Managing Director Nicky Gordon.

VACANCY – Learning & Evaluation Officer

Would you like to be part of our team?

Post: Grants & Programmes Officer

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.

If you’re passionate about purpose – real change for real people, then now is a good time to join us. We’re seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual with knowledge and experience of charities and community needs. This role will focus on supporting community projects with funding, administering grant programmes, working closely with fundholders and contribute to the future development of the grant programmes, particularly community benefit funds.

Download the job description and application form. 

For an informal discussion about the role, contact Jenny Benson on 01900 825760.

Closing date is 8am Monday 21st March 2022.

Interviews will take place on Tuesday 29th March 2022. A pre-interview task will be forwarded to those called for interview for completion in advance.

This Valentine’s Day sees the launch of the Cumbria Home from Home Fund, a ground-breaking initiative which provides an opportunity for holiday and second homeowners to demonstrate their love for the Lake District and its local communities.

This initiative has been developed by Cumbria Community Foundation, in response to a growing interest from holiday homeowners to support local causes. Cumbria provides a beautiful home from home for those lucky enough to own a second property in the county, and this initiative will encourage holiday homeowners to give the equivalent of a week’s rental income back to local communities.

Donations to the Cumbria Home from Home Fund will support community projects in the towns and villages where many holiday homes are located. The fund will be managed by Cumbria Community Foundation, which for the last 22-years, has given out grants of more than £50 million on behalf of individuals, families and businesses to help strengthen Cumbrian communities.

The Cumbria Home from Home Fund has been developed in partnership with self-catering agents and holiday homeowners operating in and around Lake District and wider Cumbria, with two of the UK’s leading agents, Travel Chapter and Original Cottages, being the first to back the project.

Jacqui Currie, Head of Development at Cumbria Community Foundation, commented: “The beauty of the Lake District often disguises the fact that too many of our residents are experiencing hardship. The charities and community groups active throughout the area serve both visitors and locals alike. With 2021 having seen unprecedented demand for holiday cottage accommodation, and bookings for 2022 already buoyant, it feels like the right time to launch this fund, which connects holiday and second homeowners with local communities.”

The Cumbria Home from Home Fund will initially award grants of up to £10,000 to community projects and initiatives that help people in and around the Lake District, such as helping young people access skills, jobs and build confidence, and supporting older people suffering from dementia, hardship, or loneliness. Grants will also be considered for activities to help people access the outdoors, mental health support, as well as community owned initiatives such as community shops, pubs and village halls in rural areas.

Claire Logan Stephens, who has donated to the fund, commented: “I, like many holiday homeowners, have a deep affection for Cumbria and I really want to help the local communities to thrive. I feel fortunate to own a holiday home in Troutbeck and giving a week’s rent back to help local causes feels like the right thing to do, especially after such a busy year with bookings. This fund provides an easy and transparent way to make a difference and will further enhance the county’s reputation for promoting responsible and ethical tourism. Cumbria Community Foundation also has an excellent reputation for getting much needed support to the most vulnerable. This initiative is good news.”

In recognition of the benefit that the Cumbria Home from Home Fund will bring to communities in and around the Lake District, Cumbria Tourism has offered its support to help promote this initiative. The hospitality sector faced very real difficulties during the Covid-19 pandemic, but many holiday lets, when able to trade, have seen some of the first green shoots of recovery.

Gill Haigh from Cumbria Tourism, said: “We are happy to support this initiative from the Foundation, who, along with the holiday let company Travel Chapter, are one of our Strategic Partners. We will be sharing details of the fund with our members and would encourage those who have the means to do so to support it if they can.”

“We are delighted that a number of holiday letting agents, including Original Cottages and Travel Chapter have expressed their support for the fund and have committed to promote it with their owners,” said Jacqui.

The Cumbria Home from Home Fund also gives a mechanism for second homeowners who do not let their property to show their love of the Lake District by giving back to the communities that host them. Second homeowners are already coming forward to support the fund by donating the equivalent of a week’s rental to the fund to help support the communities that maintain the landscape and lifestyle that drew them to the area.

Emily Brettle, who runs two holiday cottages to the east of the Lake District, said: “I am delighted to support the valuable work of the Cumbria Community Foundation through the new Home from Home Fund.”

To highlight the need for this Fund and how holiday and second homeowners can get involved, the Foundation has produced a short video which can be found here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=czPlkAgSChE and more details on the Cumbria Home from Home Fund can be found on the Foundation’s website www.cumbriafoundation.org/cumbria-home-from-home-fund/  

Anyone one wishing to donate to the Cumbria Home from Home Fund, please visit: https://cumbriafoundation.enthuse.com/cf/cumbria-home-from-home-fund

Three West Cumbrian charities have received a share of over a quarter of a million pounds to continue to play a vital role in supporting local communities.

The money was awarded from the Bedrock Awards programme, part of Transforming West Cumbria, which was developed by Cumbria Community Foundation and funded by Sellafield Ltd, to build the resilience, capabilities and financial sustainability of charities and community organisations in West Cumbria.

Successful applicants completed a two-stage programme of tailored business support, which has been delivered via the Cumbria Social Enterprise Partnership (CSEP) and its partner Social Enterprise Acumen CIC (SEA). SEA has worked with the beneficiaries and bespoke strategies have been created. This has enabled the release of funding to help them plan-ahead and provide opportunities to invest in their business development. The funding is intended to deliver long-term benefit to each organisation, resulting in an increased ability to help a greater number of people more effectively and a more resilient organisation.

Kate Welch of SEA said “It’s a real pleasure working with CSEP and the Foundation to help build the capacity and resilience of the local voluntary, community and social enterprise sector in west Cumbria. The organisations we are working with play vital roles in supporting some of the areas most vulnerable people, and the Bedrock Awards will really help these organisations strengthen their offer.”

Age UK West Cumbria, Cumbria Youth Alliance and Together We CIC received the good news last week.

Jane Mindar, Chief Executive at Age UK West Cumbria said: “We are delighted to have received £89,000 to launch our CommuniTEA service, which is a response to the lack of low-level support for older people in the region. A key focus of our charity is to enable older people to remain independent and enjoy the best quality of life possible – and we believe that CommuniTEA supported by this grant will enable us to fulfil this charitable aim and help transform the lives of older people in West Cumbria.”

Providing free one-to-one and small group psychological interventions as well as family support services in West Cumbria, Together We CIC received £80,815.

Janine Ward, Managing Director, said: “This funding will further strengthen our business base and build our self-efficacy. It will enable us to recruit two new posts; a much-needed business manager to help us manage contracts and grants and to generate commercial income, alongside improving our fundraising strategy. In addition, a volunteer manager will enable us to manage the many volunteers we rely on to run our services and develop this much-needed pathway to encourage clients to become volunteers.

“We’ll also streamline our website into a user accessible format, making it easier for clients to refer and get the support and help they need.”

Cumbria Youth Alliance, which provides support to hundreds of youth organisations and helps young people to reach their full potential, received £85,000 to build the quality and capacity of West Cumbria’s youth sector.

Becky Wolstenholme, Chief Executive Officer, said: “I am delighted that this funding will provide investment for the future and will certainly make a difference to the lives of many young people. The funding will be used to improve our staffing structure and the implementation of becoming a registered training centre.”

Bedrock Awards is delivered by Cumbria Community Foundation, in partnership with Cumbria County Council, Cumbria Social Enterprise Partnership and Social Enterprise Acumen.

Dr Jenny Benson, Director or Programmes & Partnerships at the Foundation, said: “Bedrock Awards is a unique programme which helps Third Sector organisations in West Cumbria to plan for sustainability, development and growth via a deep analysis of opportunities for improvement. We are delighted that three organisations supported to date have progressed to Stage Two.”

Support is also available to community groups in West Cumbria via Bedrock Basics, delivered by Cumbria CVS. It offers training and development opportunities on an individual and group basis and to date has benefited more than 100 organisations. For more information, contact Bridget Johns on 01768 800350 or Gordon Henry gordon.henry@cumbriacvs.org.uk

Community organisations and partnerships within the parishes Bridekirk, Blindcrake, Gilcrux, and Plumbland are being encouraged to apply for grant funding.

The Tallentire Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund, established by RES, is held and administered by Cumbria Community Foundation, a charitable body with grant making expertise, that processes grant application and supports a local Advisory Panel to make decisions on grant awards.

Over the last seven years, community causes near to the Tallentire Wind Farm have received a share of more than £370,000 in grants.

Grants, which range from £450 to £60,000, have supported a wide range of costs and activities, such as equipment, running costs for local groups, staff or sessional worker costs, consultations, maintenance or refurbishment of community facilities.

The Advisory Panel is also looking to recruit new members and the Foundation is encouraging people who live in the local area to be part of the decision-making process.

The role of the panel is to advise on grant applications, and it usually meets at twice a year. Training will be provided and members will have the opportunity to meet funded groups.

Annalee Holliday, Senior Grants & Programmes Officer at the Foundation, said: “The fund provides a valuable, long term, sustainable and reliable source of income for local communities.

“We like to involve as many local people as possible when making grants, ensuring our awards reflect the local needs of each community. This is a great opportunity for people to become involved with our grant process.

“If you are interested in becoming a member, please complete the simple application form, here and return it by 28^th February 2022 to annalee@cumbriafoundation.org or call 01900 825760 if you have any queries.”

Applications for grant funding must be received by 25^th February 2022. For more information on the Tallentire Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund or to apply online, please visit www.cumbriafoundation.org/fund/tallentire-wind-farm-community-benefit-fund/ or email annalee@cumbriafoundation.org

Community projects near to the Hellrigg Wind Farm have received a share of £18,000.

The Windfarm, operated by RWE Renewables has been helping to transform its local communities through the Hellrigg Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund for over 10 years. The fund is managed by Cumbria Community Foundation and supports community-related, environmental and educational activities run by volunteer-led and community groups that benefit the parishes of Silloth-on-Solway, Holme St Cuthbert’s, Holme Low, and Holme Abbey.

Silloth-on-Solway Town Council received £5,000 for Silloth Green’s Changing Place project, which will provide accessible toilets for the local community and visitors.

Cllr. Carol Doran, Chair of the Accessibility Committee said: “This is brilliant news for Silloth and shows how important this facility is, offering those with disabilities the opportunity to enjoy with confidence the town and indeed the Green. The Accessibility Committee is delighted to know that they are supported in this endeavour by Cumbria Community Foundation.”

Changing Places are more than a standard accessible toilet, they offer additional specialist equipment that meets the needs of people with profound and complex disabilities who cannot use the toilet independently. A Changing Places toilet can give new-found freedom as hose with disabilities can stay away from home longer, knowing that they can visit a safe, hygienic bathroom.

Holme Low Parish Projects Group received £10,000 to support the renovation of the old waiting room at Causewayhead Cemetery. There have been complaints from members of the public about the poor condition of the building, which has been allowed to fall into disrepair in recent years and about the lack of any toilet facilities and adequate water supply. The project will restore the former waiting room building, provide accessible toilet facilities and a water supply for people putting flowers on the graves of their loved ones.

Duncan Findlay, Project Group Chairman, said: “On behalf of the project group I would like to thank Hellrigg Wind Farm for the support. Details about the project can be seen on our website www.holmelow-pc.org.uk.”

Two further projects also received a financial boost. Silloth Youth Club received £3,000 to provide activities for its young members and Holme St Cuthbert Community Group received £300 to make improvements to Newtown pond.

All applications are reviewed by an advisory panel made up of local people.

Wendy Jameson, said: “As an Advisory Panel member since 2012, I can honestly say these grants have made a big difference to a lot of groups in the local area and to their projects, from the very small to the more substantial, which have brought real benefits to our local community, at a grassroots level. When funding can be difficult to secure, Cumbria Community Foundation have helped to make the process much less daunting and I would encourage groups to come forward and apply.”

Annalee Holliday, Senior Grants & Programmes Officer at the Foundation, said: “Since 2012, more than £180,000 has benefited communities in the local area, supporting over 60 projects. These include maintaining and upgrading village halls, improving access to facilities, providing vital funds to cover running costs for community groups, supporting projects that add value to public services and much more.”

For more information or to apply for a grant, please click here or call Annalee Holliday on 01900 820827 or email annalee@cumbriafoundation.org 

A new partnership designed to revolutionise mental health provision in west Cumbria has been launched.

The West Cumbria Mental Health Partnership is part of a £1.8m investment by Sellafield Ltd’s Social Impact Multiplied (SIX) programme.

It will operate under the Transforming West Cumbria programme, led by Cumbria Community Foundation (CCF.)

The announcement coincides with Blue Monday (17th January), thought to be the most depressing day of the year, to highlight the importance of communication and community in combatting mental health concerns.

The partnership aims to create a co-ordinated and collaborative approach to community mental health provision in Allerdale and Copeland.

It was launched in response to the closure of Mind West Cumbria in 2019.

That left a void in community support for people experiencing mental health issues.

Sellafield stepped in to support a short-term solution, funding one-to-one and group support services.

Working with the Foundation, the focus soon switched to creating a long-term sustainable model and the new partnership was born.

It built on work already started by the Foundation to encourage mental health providers to work together while identifying and addressing gaps in provision.

As well as providing much-needed funding, the partnership will support community organisations to improve their resilience, capability, and financial sustainability.

The partnership has launched a website https://wcmhp.org.uk/ which provides details of mental health and wellbeing support available in west Cumbria and allows users to choose the right provider for them.

Four initial programmes have been established by the partnership, each led by a strategic partner.

They are:

Adult mental health, led by Groundwork NE & Cumbria

Delivery partners:
• Together We
• iCan
• Healthy Hopes
• Always Another Way
• Mental Health North West
• Mind in Furness
• Cumbria Youth Alliance.

Services include: talking therapies; counselling; fitness and exercise support; drop-in support groups; alternative and complementary therapies and coping strategies; walking for wellness; and fun activity sessions.

Youth mental health, led by Cumbria Youth Alliance

Delivery partners:
• Together We
• Spiral
• CADAS
• Always Another Way
• iCan Health and Fitness

Services include: talk support; bullying support; body image, gaming, gambling, and addiction support, support for LGBTQ community, health and fitness.

Financial wellbeing, led by Citizens Advice

Delivery partners:
• Copeland Citizens Advice
• Allerdale Citizens Advice

Services include: crisis response; and general financial advice and support.

Recovery College, led by Together We

Delivery partners:
• Mental Health North West
• Happy Mums
• iCan Health & Fitness
• Blue Jam
• Always Another Way
• Every Life Matters
• Home to Work
• Multicultural Cumbria
• Outreach Cumbria
• Newton Rigg College

Services include: courses and workshops to help people develop coping strategies and mental health symptom management. For more information, visit: https://ncrecoverycollege.org/

The partnership is also funding a suicide prevention project via Every Life Matters

Gary McKeating, head of community and development for Sellafield Ltd, said: “Poor mental health is an issue that can affect all of us. Ensuring high quality services are available for our workforce and our community is incredibly important to us.

“We’re fortunate to have such a diverse range of community-based support available in west Cumbria but provision was patchy and in need of co-ordination following the closure of Mind West Cumbria.

“That’s what the partnership is all about: building a strong platform so organisations can collaborate, develop their skills, and thrive in the long term.

“This will be a game-changer for mental health provision in west Cumbria.”

Annalee Holliday, senior grants, programmes, and communications officer for CCF, said: “The closure of Mind West Cumbria highlighted the fragility of organisations delivering such critical services.

“We were pleased to work with Sellafield to address this through the development of the West Cumbria Mental Health Partnership.

“The launch couldn’t be more timely as demand for support in west Cumbria continues to grow and statutory mental health services are stretched to capacity.”

Tamsin Beattie, West Cumbria Mental Health Partnership lead for Groundwork NE & Cumbria, said: “We’re delighted to be leading the adult mental health programme. The funding will allow us to deliver far more high quality support services to people in west Cumbria than we have ever had in the past.

“We’re aiming to support a minimum of 2,000 people over the three-year programme, although we expect we’ll be able to support many more.

“Together we’re determined to make a positive difference to the lives of as many people as we can.”