Cllr Norman Clarkson, Chairman of Cumbria County council in 2012-2013 today presented a cheque for £4,520 to Cumbria Community Foundation’s Chief Executive, Andy Beeforth.

The money was raised through charitable events during Cllr Clarkson’s year in office including an event hosted by Cllr and Mrs Clarkson at Muncaster Castle last October, supported by local organisations and companies.

Cllr Clarkson said: “All money raised has been held in the Chairman’s Good causes Fund and now my term of office is over I am delighted to present it to Cumbria Community Foundation for the benefit of vulnerable young people who are leaving the care system in the county.”

Andy Beeforth said: “This money will help build the Fryer Fund at the Community Foundation which specifically supports young people leaving care.  The money will receive a 50% uplift through the Government’s Community First scheme.  We’d all like to offer our warmest thanks to Norman and Yvonne for their hard work and supporting in raising these much needed funds”.

Managed by the Cumbria Community Foundation and funded by Cumbria County Council, the Neighbourhood Care Independence programme provides a range of practical help and advice services for people aged over-18 who need extra support from time to time.

Support available from the Neighbourhood Care Independence Programme includes: General information and advice on a wide range of issues Handyperson support for minor DIY tasks Short-term support after a spell in hospital Linking you to Friendship Groups other social activities Advice on where to buy or hire equipment to aid daily living, such as wheelchairs, commodes, lid openers, toilet seats and grab rails Hearing-aid maintenance and support ‘drop ins’ Support for Carers

Volunteering Opportunities If you would like to become involved in the Neighbourhood Care Independence programme, and are able to give some of your time and skills to help people in your community, a range of volunteer opportunities and roles are available. Training and on-going support will be provided.

Age UK West Cumbria, as lead for the west partnership, is planning to launch NCI with some volunteer week events in and around west Cumbria on 6th and 7th June.

Cumbria Third Sector Consortium are hosting the following events as part of volunteer week:

• Barrow: Monday 3 June – The Forum 2 – 4pm
• Millom: Tuesday 4 June – Millom Network Centre, 12-2pm
• Carlisle: Wednesday 5 June – Foxys, Brunton Park,  12-2pm
• Kendal: Thursday 6  June -Kendal Town Hall, 12-2pm
• Penrith: Friday 7 June – Parish Centre, St Andrews Place, 2-4pm

For advice on any of these services, or to volunteer, call:

0844 967 1885 for Carlisle, Eden, Barrow and South Lakeland
0844 384 3843 for Allerdale and Copeland.

You can also download the booklet for more information.

The Social Enterprise Development Award (SEDA) is a community investment programme established by Santander in partnership with community foundations to help growing social enterprises across the UK. A national competition is held annually with prizes awarded to fund growth.   The next round of SEDA will be launched in summer 2013 and will be open to any organisation that is a social enterprise which has been established and trading for more than two years and is increasing its trading income. Applicants must be able to show that at least 26% of total income is generated from trading activities (not including grant funding).

The organisation must directly benefit society in one or more of the following ways:
• improving social and community inclusion
• supporting disadvantaged people through skills, training and employment
• creating a greener environment

There will be a total of 9 awards to be made across North East England, Cumbria and Hull/East Yorkshire in 2013. 3 at £15,000, 3 at £30,000 and 3 at £50,000 depending on the turnover of the organisation – up to a maximum turnover of £1,000,000.

If you would like to learn more about the 2013 SEDA Awards and the application process there will be a workshop held on Monday 29th April at 2pm until 4pm at Ewanrigg and Netherton Community Centre, Ennerdale Road, Maryport, CA15 8HN.

Places will be limited, so please contact Annalee Holliday before 5pm on Friday 26th April on 01900 825760 or annalee@cumbriafoundation.org to confirm that your social enterprise meets the criteria and to book a place

Following the launch of the Hunter Davies Bursaries last year, three more awards of £1,000 each are available to anyone working on a Cumbrian book project, or thinking of doing one.

Administered by Cumbria Community Foundation, the bursaries were first launched last year by the author and journalist Hunter Davies who wants to help people write and publish non-fiction books with a Cumbrian setting. Anyone, of any age can apply, and they do not have to be based in Cumbria. The vital thing is that the contents must be mostly about Cumbria.

Submissions must be received by 10th May and will be judged by a panel of three eminent Cumbrian’s with literary leanings or publishing and media experience.

This  year they will  be:  Eric  Robson,  broadcaster,  author and chairman of  Cumbria Tourism;  Dawn Robertson, publisher of Hayloft Publishing of Kirkby Stephen;  Hunter Davies, author  and  journalist.

“It really comes out of the success of the Lakeland Book of the Year Awards, which is now in its 29th year” says Mr Davies.  “We have noticed that more and more of the entries are coming from amateur first time authors who have become fascinated by some aspect of Cumbria life – their village, their church, their football team, or want to write about Cumbrian worthies or causes, or do some historical research.

Last year, proposed subjects ranged from autobiography, biography, cooking, climbing, the history of a house, an Inn, a dead poet, a village, a town and a book about some interesting trees. The three fortunate recipients were Margaret Poland from Maryport, who was working on a memoir about her early life, Ian Hill from Cockermouth, who was writing a book about the Cumbrian environment under threat, and Ian Hall from Keswick, who was doing his autobiography.

Mr Davies continues “The idea is to support anyone financially with a worthwhile idea.  Perhaps pay for their research time, writing time or towards publishing their book. It will be an encouragement, we hope, for them to carry on – though it is hoped that they are so in love with their subject that they would have carried on anyway. The bursary will give them a little push- and a little bit of money.

“Some of the bursary winners might go on to write best selling books, though we are looking to support authors and projects who will not appeal much to mainstream, commercial publishers. If that happens, let’s hope they will do the decent thing and give their bursary award back, so we can pass it onto other authors.”

It is planned that the three bursaries will be announced early June and will be invited to meet Hunter Davies at Dovenby Hall, near Cockermouth.

Andy Beeforth, Director of Community Foundation said “We’re delighted Hunter has created this fund with the Foundation.  We’re grateful for his generosity and his thoughtfulness. The bursaries provide an opportunity for a number of aspiring writers to get a leg up and will shine a light on an aspect of Cumbrian life or culture.”  He went onto say “The Fund demonstrates how people can make a real difference to an issue they care about by creating a fund with the Foundation”.

Further details and how to apply can be found here.

Children from five schools across the county are each celebrating winning £200 worth of pencils in a competition run by Cumbria Community Foundation and The Cumberland Pencil Company.

The youngsters took up the artistic challenge of re-creating the Winter Warmth Fund Logo – a house with a woolly hat on – in a bid to win the prizes.

The winners were announced by the Bishop of Carlisle, the Rt Rev James Newcome, at a special ceremony at The Pencil Museum in Keswick this morning.

The competition was designed to raise awareness of the Winter Warmth Fund which raises money for older Cumbrian’s who are struggling to keep warm. So far this winter, the fund has raised and distributed more than £43,500.

The wining schools are:

ALLERDALE Ashfield Junior School, High Street, Workington

BARROW Chapel Street Infant and Nursery, Dalton in Furness

CARLISLE Stanwix School, Church Street, Carlisle

EDEN Threlkeld Primary School, Threlkeld

SOUTH LAKELAND Heron Hill Primary School, Hayfell Avenue, Kendal

Each school received a certificate and were invited to choose Derwent Pencils up to the value of £200.

David Sharrock, Director and General Manager of The Cumberland Pencil Company, said: “We are delighted to support Cumbria Community Foundation’s Winter Warmth Fund by donating prizes for the schools competition. Raising awareness of the needs of the elderly during our cold Cumbrian winters will hopefully encourage more fundraising to help towards their ever-increasing fuel bills.”

Andy Beeforth, Director of Cumbria Community Foundation, explains the difference the Winter Warmth Fund has made: “So far this year we have raised and distributed £43,500, most of which has helped cold Cumbrian pensioners survive the worst of the winter. The appeal is still open for donations until the end of March.”

Bishop James said: “I was touched by the stories of some of the many hundreds of people who were helped by last year’s Winter Warmth Appeal.  Their bodies were warmed by other people’s generosity and so was my heart.  This year’s appeal has been equally successful.”

Cumbria Community Foundation’s Winter Warmth Fund Appeal saves lives by reducing both fuel poverty and the number of people in Cumbria living in cold homes.

It does this by asking for donations from the community. This money is then given to those in extreme need. Some of the donations come from older people who get the Government’s Winter Fuel Payment, but feel they don’t need it as much as others.

Andy Beeforth OBE and a group of leading Cumbrian’s slept above Stickle Tarn in the Langdale valley to raise awareness of Cumbria Community Foundation’s Winter Warmth Fund. The group had hoped to sleep on the aptly named Cold Pike but ice and snow on Wrynose pass made it dangerous to ascend from 3 Shires Stone.

Andy said: “The camaraderie provided by everyone made it a very special trip.” He added “We have up to two months of cold weather ahead of us so ask if people will please continue to donate to support the appeal?”

The ice on tents and bivvy bags proved that temperatures dropped below freezing. It was particularly cold for Nuclear Management Partner’s Gary McKeating who, along with Andy Beeforth chose to forego tents and slept under the stars in bivvy bags. Gary said “We’re very fortunate to be choosing to sample the cold and discomfort. Sadly for many people choosing between heating and eating is a daily decision”.

“The Winter Warmth Appeal has now raised £43,500 and we’ve already helped 120 older people with grants and expect that figure to rise to 300. We know from previous year’s appeals that this money saves lives – so our efforts are for a very good cause.”

Anyone can donate to Cumbria Community Foundation’s Winter Warmth Fund and the money raised will be given directly to those in need.

Donate Online http://www.justgiving.com/winterwarmthfund

Donate by Text – Simply send a text message to 70070 including our code WINT37  e.g. WINT37 £5 to 70070. You can donate £2, £5 or £10.

Donate by Cheque – Payable to: ‘Cumbria Community Foundation’ and write ‘Winter Warmth’ on the back. Post to: Cumbria Community Foundation, Dovenby Hall, Dovenby, Cockermouth, Cumbria, CA13 0PN.

For ideas on how people can stay safe and warm this winter and how you can help people in your community, click here.

Funded by Cumbria County Council and part of the Health and Social Wellbeing System, Place Based Prevention (PBP) is delivered through a partnership of third sector organisations who deliver a range of practical help and support for people living in the county. Support is provided by dedicated staff and volunteers to help customers maintain health and independence in their own home and community.

How does PBP work?
The PBP helplines act as one stop shops for independent information and advice. Where a customer could benefit from more assistance, we arrange a home visit by one of our Case Workers to provide face to face support and complete a holistic assessment of needs.

Who does PBP work with?
The PBP programme is for anyone in Cumbria who is aged 18 and over and needs help to deal with issues they are facing and wants support to improve their quality of life. Our Case Workers can help with a very wide range of issues including:

• General well-being – helping tackle feelings of depression or loneliness; feeling worried or struggling to relax; dealing with bereavement
• Income and employment – checking people are claiming all the benefits to which they are entitled, helping with money management
• Housing – help and advice for those who are struggling to manage their home or feel unsafe
• Social isolation – for those who feel unhappy with the level of contact they have with friends and family or who need help accessing local activities
• Leaving hospital – making sure people are safe and supported in the first few weeks after they leave hospital
• Health – reducing the risk of falling at home, general health advice and help with staying fit and active
• Aids and adaptations – equipment or minor adaptation needs in the home to help with mobility / daily living

How do people contact PBP?
If you live in Allerdale or Copeland, contact: Age UK West Cumbria
If you live in Barrow or South Lakeland, contact: Age UK South Lakeland
If you live in Carlisle or Eden, contact: Age UK Carlisle and Eden

PBP uses Compass in Cumbria – a ground breaking way of linking the third sector, Adult Social Care and Health. Click here to see the Compass eHub.

The Rivers Ride 2013 was launched on Sunday 10th February by inviting participants from last years event to take part in a gentle 10.6 mile ride, starting and finishing at Cockermouth School.

Those people who fundraised for the Foundation in 2012 also had the chance to collect their yellow jersey before heading out.

“Thank you for a lovely launch ride out and a most welcome cup of tea beforehand, and an even better one afterwards!” Chris Knox.

“Thanks for a great route. Perfect, if a little cold. Fingers & toes now fully defrosted.” Adrian North.

For more information, visit https://www.cumbriafoundation.org/riversride

Cumbria Community Foundation and Rather Be Cycling were there to assist with the ride.

Andy Beeforth, the man who heads up Cumbria Community Foundation,  will take to the fells and sleep in a bivouac overnight in a bid to bring attention to the plight of those who can’t pay their fuel bills this winter..

But he’ll only do it if the Winter Warmth Fund receives the same amount of donations as last year.

That means that five thousand pounds needs to be donated in the next two weeks!

If a grand total of £42,000 is reached by February 14, Andy will be joined on the fell top by Cumbria Community Foundation Trustee Chris Tomlinson; Cllr Ben Berry, South Lakeland District Councillor for Windermere, Applethwaite & Troutbeck, Gary McKeating, Head of Socio Economic Development at Nuclear Management Partners and Richard Leafe, National Park Chief Executive, who are all helping in this year’s final push to boost the total.

Andy said: “We have been given £37,000 so far by people around the county. The donations range from £25 to several thousand pounds. It is heartwarming that hundreds of people have donated money to help older people stay warm this winter. BUT, we had £42,000 last year and were able to help 433 older people. I will be really sad if we can’t help at least as many people again. I am hugely grateful that people continue to be so generous despite the increased cost of living. But I’d like to see us push the total higher.”

Chris Tomlinson said: “We have had such extreme weather this winter, much wilder than last year and this makes it harder for us all to stay warm and safe. Older people especially feel the cold and our Winter Warmth Fund means that they can put coal on the fire, oil in the tank, electricity in the meter or use the gas cooker for hot food without worrying so much. We’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again, there are people who are choosing between eating food or heating their home right here in Cumbria this winter. Please help us help them.”

Cllr Ben Berry said: “Most of the houses in the area I am a councillor for are off mains gas and rely upon oil or coal for heating. We’re all seeing energy prices rise and facing the rising challenge of paying increasingly large energy bills. I decided to help Cumbria Community Foundation by agreeing to sleep out on the fells and raise awareness of this vital fund that helps older people in need.”

Gary McKeating, said: “I am always up for a challenge and sleeping out on a mountain before the daffodils are in bloom certainly will be. The Winter Warmth Fund is the only simple to apply for and quick to be issued grant available to older people this winter. The beauty of it is, it’s Cumbrian’s helping their neighbours and others in need across the county. What is raised here, stays here.”

The quartet will head for the hills overnight on the 16 / 17 February – if you’d like to help them reach the target before they sleep under canvas, you can:

Donate Online, donate by Text – Simply send a text message to 70070 including our code WINT37 (e.g. WINT37 £5 to 70070. You can donate £2, £5 or £10) or donate by cheque – payable to: ‘Cumbria Community Foundation’ and write ‘Winter Warmth’ on the back. Post to: Cumbria Community Foundation, Dovenby Hall, Dovenby, Cockermouth, Cumbria, CA13 0PN.

Anyone can donate to Cumbria Community Foundation’s Winter Warmth Fund and the money raised will be given directly to those in need.