A charitable fund set up to support those struggling to cope in north Cumbria has made more grants.

The £180,000 Psychological Support Fund was created by the NHS in north Cumbria and Cumbria County Council and is held by Cumbria Community Foundation.

It has supported bids which demonstrate a collaborative approach to tackle the impact of anxiety, isolation, and bereavement, which have become more challenging during covid.

Five were confirmed in early November and since then a further nine grants have been awarded. They are:

• Every Life Matters – £6,600 – to expand suicide bereavement support in west Cumbria and £3,409 for self-harm safe kits across north Cumbria
• Child bereavement UK – £22,564 – bereavement support practitioner for the county
• Hospice at Home West Cumbria – £10,000 – new services
• Cruse Bereavement Care £3,090 – training for new and existing bereavement volunteers in Carlisle and Allerdale
• Outreach Cumbria – £15,000 for the Talk-It-Out project for Allerdale and Carlisle
• Always Another Way – £12,000 for alternative and complementary therapies support worker in west Cumbria
• Spiral – £15,446 – volunteer training to support young people affected by bullying in Cumbria
• The Laurie Brewis Trust – £3,190 – supporting disabled young people’s mental health as they transition from youth into adult services in Carlisle and Eden

Peter Rooney, chief operating officer for NHS North Cumbria Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said: “We know the impact of covid on people’s mental health has been enormous. We have experienced a period of increased isolation, and we know for those that have lost family members and friends during this restrictions it has been hard to say good bye in the way we are used to. I’m delighted to see such a range of organisations working closely with people in our communities are being supported to keep up, and extend, that valuable work.”

Cllr Patricia Bell, Cabinet Member for Health and Care Services for Cumbria County Council, said: “When we agreed this project it was funding precisely this sort of local support that we had in mind. Covid has had, and continues to have, a real impact on people in our communities in many ways. These organisations provide a wide range of different services that make a real difference for people in these challenging times.”

Andy Beeforth, Chief Executive at Cumbria Community Foundation said: “The speed, agility and responsiveness of local charitable organisations in responding to issues exacerbated by the pandemic has been inspirational but the challenge facing them, and communities they serve, is immense. Thanks to this partnership between the Foundation, the NHS and Cumbria County Council, we have been able to award vital grants to projects that are really trying to improve mental health for people in their communities, while reducing pressures on the NHS.”

Derek Kirkaldy, Senior Trusts and Grants Fundraiser at Child Bereavement UK said: “Bereavement can often feel isolating for young people even without lockdown or a pandemic. Being able to meet with a Bereavement Support Practitioner and access group support virtually during this time has been invaluable for many young people in terms of not just grief, but coping with the pandemic. We have been able to support siblings who live apart by providing shared support sessions, which has been very helpful to families who want support together but cannot be physically together at this time, including pre-bereavement support.”

Debbie Wood, Trans & Talking Therapies Lead at Outreach Cumbria said: “We are very grateful for the grant as this will allow us to expand the psychotherapeutic support we offer to LGBT people in the north Cumbria. This is important given that LGBT people experience difficulties associated with being ‘different’ which have been shown to result in significantly more mental health problems than the general population, and which are not always well catered for in more generic statutory services. These difficulties have been further exacerbated by successive lockdowns which cut people off from their support networks and leave people stranded in unsupportive or even abusive environments. We intend to use this grant to assist our community in the short term, and to demonstrate the need for longer-term specialist support to be funded going forward.”

Andrea Sales, Organisational Manager at Always Another Way said: “We have so far received 20 referrals from a range of sources including health coaches, social prescribers, schools and health visitors. Clients are struggling with social isolation, changing dynamics with parent/child relationships due to lockdowns and lack of emotional support from outside of the family, all of which has a negative impact on mental health. We offer weekly support face to face, over the telephone and virtually. The majority of these tend to last at least an hour as individuals are really feeling the need to talk during such difficult times. We are aiming to increase referrals for under 18s and to provide group work interventions for all age groups.

There is also support for anyone aged 16 and over facing increased anxiety and other mental health challenges via Togetherall, an online service offering online peer-peer support, access to an anonymous community and lots of information, as well as courses and resources covering a range of mental health and wellbeing topics. The service can be accessed online from anywhere, at any time. All people need to do is register with their postcode at: www.togetherall.com/

The online support service Kooth is available for young people aged 11-18 in Cumbria https://www.kooth.com/

Pupils from across the county have been given much-needed laptops to learn from home.

Almost £90,000 has been awarded to provide IT equipment to more than 300 children and young people, helping teaching to be carried out remotely.

Cumbria Community Foundation awarded the money to ten schools from various funds, including the Mary Grave Trust, the Printers Inc Social Mobility Fund and the Westmorland Family Community Fund.

The Mary Grave Trust would normally have supported young people travelling abroad through educational or youth group trips, work experience or gap year activities. Due to the current travel restrictions, the Foundation has instead used this funding to help young people study from home.

Many children and young people do not have access to a device that is suitable for remote learning. Netherhall School, St Joseph’s Catholic High School and Workington Academy were among the schools to identify pupils who were digitally excluded.

Denise Richardson, Deputy Head St Joseph’s Catholic High School said: “On behalf of the school, we are delighted to have received a grant to purchase 24 laptops for students.”

“Our online school is working well and this equipment will help more students have their own laptop to access their live lessons and online work. It is vital for effective home learning that all our students have access to suitable devices. These laptops will also be used in school on our return, so that students can continue with online learning as a means of catching up on any work which they may have missed.”

Judith Schafer, chair of Cumbria Alliance of System Leaders, said: “The Cumbria Alliance of System Leaders launched a laptop for schools project in January to try and get IT kit to children who need it during the current lockdown. I am delighted that in response to this, schools have been supported by Cumbria Community Foundation.

“It’s so hard for students to engage in home learning without the right ICT equipment at home. Working from a smartphone or tablet is difficult, and even in homes where there is a computer, it may be being shared between siblings all trying to do lessons at the same time.

“Getting each child, that needs one,  their own laptop will transform what they can achieve at home, and that is so important given the disruption students have already experienced and the uncertainty about the future. This funding from Cumbria Community Foundation will go a very long way to making sure we reach as many students as we can, as quickly as we can. It’s also a long-lasting, as even when students return to the classroom, an increased reliance on IT may well be part of the learning experience in the future as part of the recovery curriculum schools will be working on. Giving every child access to the right IT kit long term is crucial.

Dr Jenny Benson, Director of Programmes and Partnerships at Cumbria Community Foundation, said: “The lack of access to digital technology for all pupils is demonstrating existing inequalities in households.

“The Government scheme for laptops has been effective for those identified as having low incomes or eligibility for free school meals. However, there are so many other families that do not fit the specified criteria. We are delighted that we have been able to use our funds to meet the changing needs and to support so many young people undertaking home schooling at this challenging time.”

With temperatures this winter dipping to almost -7C in some parts of Cumbria, the fundraising efforts of a local couple have meant that more vulnerable older people will be warm this winter.

Judith Egan, with the support of the community of Mungrisdale, has raised £1,957 for the Cumbria Community Foundation’s Winter Warmth Appeal with thanks to some festive fundraising. From generous winter fuel allowance donations to the purchasing of Christmas cakes, mince pies, mincemeat, and attending wreath making classes, this is the fourth year Judith has supported the winter initiative.

The Winter Warmth Appeal was set up by Cumbria Community Foundation in 2010 to make sure that vulnerable older people who may have to choose between heating and eating, can stay warm and well through the cold weather.

Judith said: “The first year I organised a coffee morning and last year I introduced wreath making classes. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic there were no coffee mornings this time around.

“Instead, I emailed people who had supported us in the past, announcing that I would still love to receive donations from their winter fuel allowance, and I would also be making mince pies, mincemeat, Christmas cakes and wreaths which they could order.

“I also held four wreath making classes. These were only for three people at a time so we could be safe and social distance. These were really enjoyable days where the ladies loved being out making something and having a good chat, after the November lockdown. They were provided with all the materials for the wreath making and a light lunch, and refreshments.

“I feel our Winter Warmth fundraising just gets better, the support from the local community is just wonderful. This is a nationwide problem, but Cumbria Community Foundation has excelled at promoting the Winter Warmth Appeal in our county.

“Please join the campaign and help protect the elderly to keep warm this year and every year.”

This year in partnership with Age UK and Copeland Age and Advice Service, Cumbria Community Foundation has been able to award more than £200,000 to hundreds of older people helping to keep them warm, safe and well while easing financial pressure during the cold season. While this is an amazing achievement, there are still many older people who desperately need support. Altogether £1.2m has been distributed since the start of the fund in 2010.

Annalee Holliday, Grants & Donor Services Officer at Cumbria Community Foundation, said:

“It’s more important than ever that the Winter Warmth Appeal receives widespread support, and we are very thankful for Judith’s support again this year.

“The coronavirus outbreak means that, for many older and vulnerable people, this winter has been even more difficult. Many need to stay at home to keep themselves safe and find themselves cut off from family and friends, facing higher costs to heat their homes.”

If you would like to support the Winter Warmth Appeal and organising your own fundraiser you can donate online, call 01900 825760 Monday – Friday between 9am and 5pm or send a cheque payable to ‘Cumbria Community Foundation’ (write Winter Warmth on the back) and post to Cumbria Community Foundation, Dovenby Hall, Dovenby, Cockermouth, Cumbria, CA13 0PN.

Cumbria Community Foundation is continuing to support community groups in West Cumbria through grants worth almost £130,000.

25 charitable organisations received a share of the funds at its recent West Cumbria Grants Committee. The money came from funds set up by local people and businesses including Lord Egremont, Lamont Pridmore, LLWR and Thomas Graham & Sons Ltd.

With UK unemployment figures at a record high amid the COVID-19 crisis, TEGVirtual CIC, with the support of £16,976 from the Beverley Charitable Trust Fund and Live the Dream Fund, will be offering training to young entrepreneurs affected by the pandemic.

Keith McMean, Founder & Group Director at TEGvirtual, said: “The funding will allow 20 young people to access our Entrepreneurial Programme, supporting 16 – 25 year olds in Allerdale and Copeland. It will give young people in our community the opportunity to develop their own business ideas with the aim of actually setting up a business in West Cumbria, not only impacting on our learners on the programme, but impacting on our community and economy.”

“If you are aged between 16-25 and live in the Allerdale or Copeland area and have a business idea, we would like to hear from you, please visit our website for further information www.virtual.teguk.co.uk.”

#CanDo is part of Transforming West Cumbria, a £2.2 million programme developed by Cumbria Community Foundation and funded by Sellafield Ltd and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA).

#CanDo encourages young people across West Cumbria to apply for funding for community projects. Those applications are then considered by a youth panel, putting the decisions firmly in the hands of the next generation.

Together We CIC received £4,442 from #CanDo for its Together We Do project, which offers training for young people to be Community Wellbeing Champions (CWCs).

Janine Ward, Managing Director, said: “10 young person will undertake training in delivering emotional resilience, body image, exam stress and keeping well workshops, and deliver these to groups of young people in the local community or schools. These young people will encourage conversations about mental and physical health and wellbeing with their peers and wider community members with the aim of more young people recognising skills to improve their health and wellbeing or seeking support if required.”

Last year, Spiral supported more than 500 young people affected by bullying by offering a free confidential service to build resilience and reduce the effects that bullying can have. The charity received £4,994 from #CanDo for its Peer Community project.

Founder, Maryann Liddle said: “The funding is a great boost for staff and volunteer moral at Spiral. We can continue to employ our young project worker and recruit up to four volunteers. With COVID-19 there has been a huge disruption in ‘normal life’, young people are not able to socialise and this is an important part of their development, this is causing uncertainty in young people which is leading to increased anxiety and low mood.

“The peer community site will be a monitored space where young people can talk to other peers, staff, and volunteers, attend game nights run by staff and volunteers, access free downloadable resources and local information. With young people’s mental health worsening, a positive social interaction can make a big difference; it supports the developing brain and cognitive thinking and can bring some happiness to their day.”

Centre for Leadership Performance (CfLP) received £4,992 from #CanDo to develop the Leading Change campaign that will enable it to engage with 12-14 year olds who so often fall through the gaps in career planning and work experience.

Sarah Glass, Executive Director, said: “A central element of our work is providing new opportunities for young people to see beyond their own circumstances to a better, more prosperous future, and to give them the confidence and self-belief that is such an important part of personal success.  Our activities with young people also equip them with the life skills that come with wider experience and interaction with role models beyond their own family and school orbit.

“Leading Change gives them a voice and empowers them to make decisions, to make commitments and ultimately to make a difference to their communities.  We know from our other programmes that sort of activity can be a life-changing experience for your people, broadening their horizons and instilling a new confidence in themselves, and in their futures.”

Annalee Holliday, Grants & Donor Services Officer at Cumbria Community Foundation, said: “There are many worthy organisations in West Cumbria that will raise young people’s aspirations and build their confidence. Charitable giving puts money into disadvantaged communities and unlocks more resources through people’s voluntary efforts. We are grateful to the generosity of our fundholders to enable us to support these vital services, especially during times when local services are under pressure and struggling to meet local needs.”

To apply for a grant or for more information, visit www.cumbriafoundation.org or call a member of the grants team on 01900 825760.