A NEW report by Cumbria Community Foundation has painted a stark picture of life in the county.

‘Cumbria Revealed’ collected data from many sources to focus on what life is really like and it’s in sharp contrast to the picture postcard images we usually see.

The report’s findings will be used to tackle poverty and disadvantage by matching people who care with causes that matter to them.

Cumbria Community Foundation’s Chief Executive, Andy Beeforth, said: “Within our outwardly appearing wealthy and healthy county, some of our communities are facing real poverty and disadvantage. The report shines a light on the social problems which lie in the shadows of the mountains that the county is famous for. We’ve created a map of need and a key to the solutions.

“It also looks at inspirational people who share our aspirations for connecting people in the county with the life changing projects. By growing philanthropy, pooling our resources, focusing our efforts, working closely with others, we will help create a better future for Cumbria.”

Some of the facts from the report:

• 1 in 10 households live in poverty (including 11,700 children),
• 1 in 8 households have an income of less than £10,000 a year,
• 1 in 5 people have a long-term health problem or disability,
• 68% of adults are overweight,
• 32,000 pensioners live alone,
• 25% of the population will be aged over 65 in 2020,
• 230 people killed or seriously injured on the roads each year,
• 1 person takes their own life every week,
• 34,000 people experience depression,
• 1,800 people are diagnosed with dementia every year.

Andy continued: “I hope Cumbria Revealed will encourage more philanthropy, more giving, and match directly the help with the need. If we can bring attention to the problems we have in the county and innovative ways in which they can be addressed, then the report will change lives. To do this, our Trustees have set ambitious targets to double the amount of grants we award and to double our long-term funds in the next five years.”

The report says:

“Cumbria is a county of contrasts. The very factors which make Cumbria such a desirable tourist location and a visual treat affect just about every aspect of life here.

Cumbria’s topography exacerbates the issues already existing within the county, creating challenges for businesses; employment expansion; ease and parity of access to services; communication and travel; aspiration and life changes. However, it is poverty and deprivation which are at the heart of many of the problems people experience in our wonderful county.

Whilst we can’t change the geography of Cumbria, we all need to recognise the circumstances we face and be creative about how resources are used to best respond.

In working on this report, it has become obvious that several key issues facing our communities are social isolation, obesity, poverty, access to serves and mental health wellbeing.

This report cannot capture all issues affecting our communities. For example, we are aware of the challenges facing agriculture and other industries and uncertainty caused by Brexit. This does not mean we do not recognise their importance and we will respond as relevant opportunities arise.

For many people, living in Cumbria is not an idyll, it is challenging and difficult. However, there are organisation and projects that can help alleviate some of the problems people face and our role is support the inspirational work being done within our county.”

Philanthropy is the desire to promote the welfare of others, expressed especially by the generous donation of money to good causes.

The Foundation works with fundholders to identify their values and concerns and to combine its knowledge to ensure grants are made to maximum effect. It can also refer to people who give their time, talents, knowledge or other assets to support charitable causes as well as their money.

Cumbria Community Foundation exists to alleviate poverty and disadvantage by inspiring people to give money to impactful and potentially life-changing projects.

It believes in offering philanthropic services to individuals, families and organisations, and connecting them with causes that matter while also building long term capital funds to benefit the community now and for the future.

It uses its knowledge to plan social change – taking fundholders on a journey from the problem to be solved, to a solution.

Cumbria Community Foundation listened to one philanthropist about his concerns about older people keeping warm in the winter and how he felt his Government winter fuel grant could be put to better use. Working closely with Myles Walker, the Foundation launched the Winter Warmth Appeal. It has raised more than £627,000 and has literally saved lives. In a bad winter, there are 300 excess deaths from the effects of the cold weather.

Some of the funds and projects supporting those living in poverty and disadvantage include:

The Mary Grave Trust – Giving £40,000 a year to young people from west Cumbria so they get the opportunity to travel abroad. Ashley, who visited the Gambia as part of a peer education project, said: “When we got to Gambia and worked with young people in different schools, it was good to see how much we had made a difference to their lives. This made me think that I wanted to carry on making a difference and decided I wanted to be a Youth Worker.”

King’s Food Bank – this Kendal based food bank received funding to continue to employ a part time manager and pay rental costs. Supported by churches and other community groups, King’s Food Bank delivers food boxes to people who are temporarily unable to provide for themselves. It has delivered more than 60,000 boxes since 2013. Up to 30 families are referred to this food bank every week. Half of the meals are for children.

Home to Work – this Cleator Moor based project gives 16-24 year olds valuable skills to help them gain skills which will lead to employment. The young people take part in short courses which provide a stepping stone to mainstream accredited courses as well as activities including restoring furniture and recycling salvaged timber to make garden furniture, and other small wooden items.

Friends of the 597 – A group of volunteers from south Lakeland applied for a grant to sustain their local bus service. Many older, vulnerable people rely on this bus service to maintain their independence and keep appointments. It has continued to operate a circular service from Windermere to Bowness, keeping the community mobile and connected.

West Cumbria Domestic Violence Support – Grant funding has enabled the charity to support and train volunteers to answer a 24-hour helpline and provide one-to-one emotional and practical support to victims. It offers help to survivors and perpetrators too – the only organisation in the west of the county that provides long term support to tackle the root causes of abuse.

Men in Sheds – the Northern Fells Rural Community Development Group set up this project to give older men a space to build, repair and recycle things in their community workshop. Activities include making and mending wooden items and also bike and vehicle repairs, model engineering and gardening.

Cumbria has around 6,000 charities and community / voluntary groups, contributing £400m to the economy and employing the equivalent of 9,000 people full time. These groups are fundamental to supporting community based solutions to the issues described in the report. They need funding to deliver vital services but there also needs to be a recognition that greater collaboration with public and private sectors will only enhance their ability to deliver impactful change.

However, Cumbria Community Foundation is fully aware that it cannot tackle social problems alone. It wants to use the report to inform grant-making, to educate and inform fundholders and to continue conversations with partners and other funders to support the very best for Cumbria.

In response to need, the trustees of the Foundation have agreed challenging targets of doubling our endowments (long term funds) and doubling the annual grant making.

Trustees have also agreed to revised grant making priorities for the next five years in response to the needs identified, which are:

• Improving the lives of disadvantaged children and families
• Improving the life skills, education, employability and enterprise of disadvantaged people
• Supporting vulnerable older people
• Improving the health and wellbeing of the people of Cumbria
• Strengthening and supporting fragile communities

To read the report in full, click here or for a hard copy, phone 01900 825760.

It is with sadness we acknowledge, after a long illness the recent death of our former Chairman James Carr.

James was a passionate advocate for Cumbria and its communities. He was a keen fisherman and a driver for the creation of the Rivers Trust movement. He was also a philanthropist, creating the Moorhouse Charitable Trust which he subsequently transferred to the Community Foundation. James was High Sheriff for Cumbria in 2010/11 and during that year visited more than sixty different community projects. As Chairman of the Community Foundation he often remarked about the large numbers of truly inspirational people he met who were leading unique projects in their local communities. People whose passion and dedication could simply not be measured and whose efforts often went unsung and unknown outside their immediate communities. It is these people that we back and for whom James had the greatest admiration.

The Community Foundation was very fortunate to have James as a trustee and Chairman. He led the Board with good humour, warmth, vision and a close eye on our finances. He was recently awarded an OBE for his contributions to conservation, education and the community. We will miss his friendship, support and wise counsel.

Our thoughts are with the Carr family at this sad time.

A Memorial Service is planned for James in June.

Cumbria Community Foundation has been shortlisted for the ‘Grantmaking and Funding’ accolade in The Charity Awards 2017.

The Charity Awards is the charity world’s most prestigious excellence recognition programme and Cumbria Community Foundation has been shortlisted for the Cumbria Flood Recovery Fund.

The Cumbria Flood Recovery Fund was launched immediately following Storm Desmond’s destruction on 5th December 2015, which caused significant damage and disruption to more than 6,000 households and businesses across tight knit rural communities and larger towns and cities.

More than 3,000 households have been supported to date. Dr Jenny Benson, Flood Fund Manager at Cumbria Community Foundation, said: “We are delighted to have been shortlisted in the Grantmaking and Funding category. It recognises the devastating impact of the December 2015 floods on thousands of people across the county and the generosity of our many donors who helped to raise an incredible £10.3m. It is as a result of this outstanding support that we have been able to provide grants to thousands of flood affected households and 180 community groups across the county.”

The Charity Awards, is the charity world’s longest-running, biggest and best-known awards ceremony. This year’s charities have been judged by an independent panel of charity leaders as having demonstrated outstanding best practice which other organisations can learn from.

The winner of the Grantmaking and Funding Award and the other nine category winners, plus the recipients of the Overall Award for Excellence and the Outstanding Achievement Award will be announced at a black-tie dinner on 8 June, held in the grounds of the Tower of London.

The evening will be hosted by BBC presenter Louise Minchin, who will be joined by representatives of the shortlisted charities, as well as leaders from Britain’s best known and best loved charities.

Julian Chislett, Chief Executive of Civil Society Media, which organises the Charity Awards, congratulated all the shortlisted charities on making the highly-coveted shortlist. He said: “The standard of entries this year was incredible, and the charities we shortlist remain a constant inspiration to all of us. Our rigorous judging process singles out those charities with the most innovative ideas and the most inspirational approaches to delivering maximum impact.”

To find out more about the Cumbria Flood Recovery Fund, or to make an application, click here and complete an online application form. Alternatively, you can call the Foundation on 01900 825760 or email grants@cumbriafoundation.org

Financial support is available to victims of crime across Cumbria.

The Cumbria Victims Charitable Trust was established in 2015 to support the needs of victims of crime and anti-social behaviour, and assist in expanding existing services.

The Trust, which is administered by Cumbria Community Foundation, currently has £20,000 available and will offer grants to individuals in the region of £500. Applications must be supported by a referee who will verify the request.

Annette Hennessy, Chair of Cumbria Victims Charitable Trust, said: “Our intention is to reduce distress caused by being a victim of crime, and by working with Cumbria Community Foundation, we want to be able to reach and support as many people in this position as possible”.

Nigel Pattison, Grants & Donor Services Officer at the Foundation, said: “No one should feel alone or unsupported after being the victim of crime. This funding can be used to access emotional support or practical help to anyone who needs it, in a way that suits them best.”

For more information or to apply for funding, click here, email nigel@cumbriafoundation.org or call 01900 825760.

Local groups can apply for grants between £1,000 and £5,000 for youth social action projects that promote volunteering, fundraising and campaigning amongst young people.

The Youth Social Action Fund is a national grants programme and part of the wider multi-agency #iwill campaign, and is being delivered in our region by Cumbria Community Foundation. It aims to get 6 out of 10 young people involved in social action by 2020.

The new £80,000 annual grant scheme will support both traditional social action (e.g. regular youth volunteering at a care home) and newer ways to create positive social impact such as micro-volunteering activities (e.g. a social media campaign by young people promoting positive body image).

Match funding has been secured by Thomas Graham Ltd, Shepley Engineers, and Lakeland Ltd.

Grants of £1,000 – £5,000 will be available for projects of up to one year’s duration working with young people aged 10 to 20 years old, or 25 years old for disabled people. Projects don’t have to necessarily be led by a youth group and can deliver opportunities in a range of contexts and settings e.g. online, extracurricular, in clubs and groups, informally, or as part of structured programmes.

Annalee Holliday, Grants & Donor Services Officer at the Foundation, said: “This new funding will be a huge boost for youth groups across the county, giving young people, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, the opportunity to gain the experiences and skills they need to succeed in life. Focusing on getting young people involved in their community at a young age will build a new generation of active, involved citizens.”

The fund is open to registered charities, constituted community groups and other charitable organisations. Social Enterprises and CICs may also apply.

For more information or to apply for funding, click here or call 01900 825760. The closing date for the first round of funding is 19th May.

We are seeking to appoint a confident and committed professional to join our Development team. The Philanthropy Officer will make a significant contribution to the growth in the Foundation’s grant making capacity by securing new grant making funds with major corporate investors, successful individuals and business owners.

The successful candidate will combine excellent interpersonal skills with an ability to promote the need for and value of the Community Foundation’s philanthropic services.

This is a challenging and exciting opportunity to improve the lives of people in need in Cumbria by contributing to building the philanthropic grant making capacity of the Community Foundation.

The post is based in our office in Dovenby near Cockermouth. To apply, please read the job description, and team charter before completing the application form, which needs returned with a covering letter explaining why you think you are suitable for the role. Applications should be emailed to cath@cumbriafoundation.org

For an informal discussion about the role please contact Andy Beeforth.

The deadline for applications is 9am Thursday 25th May 2017. The date for interviews is 31st May 2017.

Cumbria Community Foundation has awarded more than £55,000 to individuals and community projects across West Cumbria at their latest Grants Committee.

The West Cumbria Grants Panel approved 21 applications covering a wide range of activities, including an international Lego competition and a project helping to tackle social isolation in older people.

Friends of Ennerdale and Kinniside Primary School received £4,250 from the Live the Dream Fund to take their school Lego team to the Lego League International Open.

The First Lego League is a science and technology challenge aimed at 9-16 year olds who are tasked to solve real life problems with the help of a Lego robot.

The ‘Ennerdale Engineers’ were placed as runners up in the Regional Finals for North and West Cumbria on the 1^st of February. This meant the team qualified for the National Finals in Bristol as only one of 40 schools in the UK and Ireland.

The National Finals took place on the 26^th of February, where pupils fought off competition from secondary schools across the UK to win the second place trophy in the Robot Performance Award.

The small village school of Kinniside and Ennerdale will now have the opportunity to go even further, to the International Finals, which will be held in the UK for the first time.

David Moore, Head Teacher of the school, said: “As an extremely small, rurally isolated primary school, children have little exposure to cultural opportunities.

“This International Final will give them the chance to meet a huge variety of children from other countries throughout the world. Such an opportunity is unlikely to offer itself again in these children’s school life.”

Healthy Hopes Cumbria received £5,000 from the Older People’s Fund to start a weekly two-hour group for older adults to alleviate social isolation. The sessions will cover topics such as confidence and building self-esteem, mental health issues in later life and coping with bereavement.

Healthy Hopes offer free holistic workshops and support services across West Cumbria to promote improved emotional wellbeing and resilience. Older people who attended some of the organisation’s other workshops had expressed an interest in having a group for older adults who have similar issues and needs.

The sessions will be held in conjunction with Age UK at one of their premises in Copeland and will be held by a qualified Mental Health Nurse who specialises in dementia studies and a trained therapist.

Vivien Nicol, Director of Healthy Hopes Cumbria, said: “Older people with limited social contact are at an increased risk of death due to the emotional effects of social isolation.

“We are aware that for many older adults, their children have settled into other parts of the UK or abroad due to limited local employment opportunities, which brings about a lack of family support.

“Our health and wellbeing activities will help older people in the community to form friendships and improve both their physical and mental health.”

Annalee Holliday, Grants & Donor Services Officer at Cumbria Community Foundation, said: “By supporting projects which help address the specific needs of communities, we can begin to bridge that gap, and ensure people have the best access to services.”

Applications for the next round of funding need to be submitted by Friday 12^th May 2017 to be reviewed by the grants panel on Wednesday 7^th June 2017. For more information or to apply for a grant, click here or contact the grants team on 01900 825760.

Seven community organisations in Allerdale have been awarded a share of £68,000 from a fund that supports eco projects.

The funding comes from the Robin Rigg West Cumbria Fund, and supports a range of community groups helping to improve the local environment and also increase understanding of environmental issues.

The fund was set up by energy company E.ON to benefit communities close to the Robin Rigg offshore wind farm and is administered by Cumbria Community Foundation. More than £400,000 has been given out in grants since 2009.

Friends of Siddick Ponds received £15,000 to continue enhancing the site behind Dunmail Park Shopping Centre in Workington. The money will be used to improve the conservation interest of the site such as reed bed management, installing nesting boxes and planting wildflower bulbs.

West House received £10,000 to install solar panels at their ‘Grow West’ project; a 12 acre market garden centre based at Allerby. 30 adults with learning disabilities rely on ‘Grow West’ to be productive in the community, have a purposeful working week and learn personal and work skills.

Tim Morgan, E.ON Plant Manager, said: “The fund from E.ON provides assistance to voluntary or community groups in the area who are looking to use energy more sustainable or improve the environment. Our funding helps to provide a lasting benefit to the area.”

Annalee Holliday, Grants & Donor Services Officer at Cumbria Community Foundation, said: “The fund is of real value to the local community, supporting voluntary groups and charities and enabling residents to continue to build on their vibrant and thriving communities.”

Successful groups can expect to receive £1,000 – £15,000 funding. Applications for the next round of funding are open until 15th December 2017. To find out more about the Robin Rigg West Cumbria Fund click here or contact Annalee Holliday on 01900 82470 or email annalee@cumbriafoundation.org.

Charitable community groups and individuals in the Borders area are being encouraged to apply for financial support from a new community benefit fund.

Established by EDF Energy Renewables, the Beck Burn Windfarm Community Fund has £155,250 grant aid to distribute every year for the next twenty-five years.

Projects and people in the Cumbrian Parishes of Rockcliffe, Westlinton, Arthuret and Kirkandrews on Esk, along with the Scottish Community Councils of Springfield & Gretna Green, Gretna & Rigg, Kirkpatrick Fleming & District, and Canonbie & District are eligible to apply for funding.

The fund is being managed on behalf of EDF Energy Renewables by Cumbria Community Foundation, and will be split into three elements:

A large grants pot of £84,200 for grants between £1,000 and £20,000 (larger grants over multiple years will also be considered). The priority for this money is projects within a 5k radius of the wind farm, projects within a 10k radius may also apply but must show benefit to those within the 5k area.

£40,000 will be split between the eight local Parish/Community Councils each receiving £5k to spend within their Parish/Community Council boundary on small grants of up to £1,000 each (this covers Kirkandrews, Arthuret, Westlinton, Rockcliffe, Springfield & Gretna Green, Gretna & Rigg, Kirkpatrick & District and Canonbie & District)

20% of the fund, totalling £31,050, will be ring-fenced for Education and Training, we will be launching a bursary scheme in the area around the wind farm to help with costs of travel, equipment and training for students of all ages.

The fund is intended to support a wide range of activities with awards to community and voluntary organisations and projects which are community based or community led. Activities would include supporting biodiversity and habitat conservation, energy efficiency and sustainability, sports and recreation, health and wellbeing, children, young people and older people, culture and heritage.

The deadline for the first round of applications is 12th May 2017.

Nick Bradford, Head of Asset Management for EDF Energy Renewables said: “We want to see as many local people as possible benefiting from the fund and would encourage groups to apply for this money. Around each of our 32 wind farm sites across the UK, we see the difference it can make from heating church halls to providing new musical instruments to a brass band.

Nigel Pattison, Grants and Donor Services Officer at Cumbria Community Foundation, said: “We are delighted to be able to support the Parish and Community Councils within the Beck Burn Wind Farm’s area of benefit, enabling vital community projects to be developed and local people to benefit enormously.”

For more information click here or by contact Nigel Pattison on 01900 825760.