Grant Stories


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As part of our 20th anniversary celebrations, we visited 20 organisations that have received grants from the funds we administer to find out how the money has made a difference to the lives of local people.

Read our 20th anniversary grants stories here.

The Cumbria Fund supports around 50 community projects each year. The money helps a wide number of people, including youngsters, vulnerable adults, the disabled, those recovering from illness, the unemployed and low income families.

Read the Cumbria Fund grant stories here.

Improving young people’s mental health

8th November 2022

After the bereavement of a friend while studying at sixth form, one young woman started to get feelings of wanting to give up but local charity, SAFA “saved her life.” … Continue reading “Improving young people’s mental health”

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A fresh start and new experiences motivates young people at school

7th November 2022

Missing a few days of school here and there may not seem a big deal, but in some areas, school attendance dropped massively during and following the pandemic, threatening young … Continue reading “A fresh start and new experiences motivates young people at school”

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The power of participation and knowing your rights

26th September 2022

“Young people want their voices to be heard, they want information and most importantly they want to be involved in decision making processes.” ‘Time, for thought’ encourages young men aged … Continue reading “The power of participation and knowing your rights”

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Living a healthy life with HIV

26th May 2022

One in 20 people with HIV are unaware they have it and although cases are low in Cumbria, 60% of people with the disease are diagnosed late. Set up in … Continue reading “Living a healthy life with HIV”

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Hub at the heart of community life

1st November 2021

Over a third of residents in North Walney live in the top 20% of the most deprived parts of the country, with half of Walney South in the top 30%. … Continue reading “Hub at the heart of community life”

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Challenging times for young people

3rd August 2021

Isolating from school has had a catastrophic impact on many young people and their families. Not only did lockdown disturb their schooling it also effected their social confidence and self-esteem. … Continue reading “Challenging times for young people”

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Counselling available to the most vulnerable    

11th February 2021

A counselling service review at Ulverston Mind means it no longer has a waiting list, making it more available to the most vulnerable. Through its counselling service, the charity offers … Continue reading “Counselling available to the most vulnerable    “

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Supporting the sight impaired community and their families

Imagine being severely sight impaired at just 22 with a young family to look after and worries about not being able to continue working. This is what happened to Adam* … Continue reading “Supporting the sight impaired community and their families”

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Love and a life line

19th November 2019

Love Barrow Families CIC works with families who suffer from physical and mental health issues, relationship difficulties, drug and alcohol abuse, anti-social behaviour, domestic violence, unemployment and homelessness. A grant of £30,000 over … Continue reading “Love and a life line”

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“Slowly killing myself.”

3rd September 2019

“Slowly killing myself.” This was the realisation of one client being helped by self-harm awareness charity, SAFA Cumbria. A breakthrough after funded counselling sessions empowered her to take responsibility for … Continue reading ““Slowly killing myself.””

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The future is bright

7th January 2019

More than 80 primary school children embarked on a skills-building summer school thanks to £5,000 worth of grants from Shepley Group Fund, Barrow Community Trust, Cumberland Building Society Charitable Foundation … Continue reading “The future is bright”

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Bringing the community together

The recruitment of a Development Worker at Cumbria Deaf Association has increased the confidence of Barrow’s deaf community. Thanks to a £7,500 grant from the Cumbria Fund, 100 people have … Continue reading “Bringing the community together”

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Changing the future of youngsters in Barrow

1st November 2018

Pause is a weekly personal development group for young women aged 14-19 run by Women’s Community Matters in Barrow. It aims to build confidence and self-worth in a safe environment … Continue reading “Changing the future of youngsters in Barrow”

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Disabled young Barrovians learn life skills

11th October 2018

Leonard Cheshire Disability is the UK’s largest voluntary provider of services for disabled people. It supports individuals to live, learn and work as independently as they choose, whatever their ability, … Continue reading “Disabled young Barrovians learn life skills”

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The Barrow project where time and skills are money

30th August 2018

A project which sees residents giving up their time to help other people out is building community cohesion in Barrow in Furness. Barrow Timebank, set up by Inspire Furness CIC, … Continue reading “The Barrow project where time and skills are money”

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Charity Founder inspires Barrow youngsters with her own creativity

15th August 2018

The Foundation manages several funds that can help improve the lives of disadvantaged individuals all over the county, enabling them to reach their aspirations. The Cumbria Cultural Fund was established … Continue reading “Charity Founder inspires Barrow youngsters with her own creativity”

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Skills project provides positive activities for youngsters

10th April 2018

A Wigton charity working with some of the most disengaged and hardest to reach young people is giving them structure in their lives by teaching them skills to help towards … Continue reading “Skills project provides positive activities for youngsters”

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Engaging Barrow’s youngsters

14th March 2018

In central Barrow, half of all children are growing up in poverty, and a quarter across the rest of Furness. Many families have an income of less than £10,000 and … Continue reading “Engaging Barrow’s youngsters”

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“Stepping Up” to learning

5th March 2018

South Cumbrian youngsters, who have struggled at school, are mucking in on the farm and developing essential skills to commit to more study, work or volunteering. Cowran Training Limited, an … Continue reading ““Stepping Up” to learning”

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Youngsters raise the curtain on tackling bullying through drama

1st February 2018

Ashton Group Theatre received £7,000 from the Barrow Community Trust and Dulverton Trust to get children aged 4-11 years old involved in a week-long production looking at the causes and … Continue reading “Youngsters raise the curtain on tackling bullying through drama”

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Promoting well-being one day at a time

6th December 2017

Barrow has the highest number of drugs-related deaths in the county at 9.9 per 100,000 citizens. People in the area are more likely to die a drugs-related death than those … Continue reading “Promoting well-being one day at a time”

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Well on the road to recovery

31st October 2017

Vulnerable women in Barrow and South Lakeland now have a safe haven to help them on the road to recovery. The Well Communities, based on Dalton Road in Barrow, has … Continue reading “Well on the road to recovery”

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Furness mental health charity holds support sessions in Millom

10th May 2017

People experiencing mental health issues in Millom now have access to peer support sessions, thanks to a £5,000 grant from the NMP Community Fund. Mind in Furness run weekly ‘Safe … Continue reading “Furness mental health charity holds support sessions in Millom”

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New lease of life for three Barrow men in need

4th May 2017

Three Barrow men, who previously found themselves homeless, have finally found a place to call home. Furness Homeless Support Group received £2,000 from Cumbria Fund to renovate a three bedroom house … Continue reading “New lease of life for three Barrow men in need”

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Girls’ football gets a kick-start in Barrow

14th March 2017

A project that aims to encourage girls in Barrow to get active by playing football has been boosted by a £1,000 grant from the Barrow Community Trust. Barrow AFC Community … Continue reading “Girls’ football gets a kick-start in Barrow”

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£10,000 boost for Barrow youth service

6th February 2017

A youth service dedicated to improving the lives of disadvantaged young people in Barrow has been given a £10,000 funding boost from the Cumbria Young People’s Fund. Drop Zone Youth … Continue reading “£10,000 boost for Barrow youth service”

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Visually impaired youngsters come together to reduce isolation

12th January 2017

A project that supports visually impaired young people in Barrow and the South Lakes area has been awarded £2,000 from the Grassroots Cumbria Young People’s Fund. Barrow and Districts Society … Continue reading “Visually impaired youngsters come together to reduce isolation”

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Walney First Responders give life-saving training to community

10th January 2017

Established in 2010, Walney Community First Responders have attended over 2,000 emergency situations to provide life-saving first aid in the vital moments before an ambulance arrives. The group of trained … Continue reading “Walney First Responders give life-saving training to community”

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South Lakeland cricket club welcomes new pavilion

20th September 2016

Five years ago, Lindal Moor Cricket Club had a vision to replace their one-hundred-year old pavilion. The club raised £300,000 through grants and fundraising and the new pavilion opened earlier … Continue reading “South Lakeland cricket club welcomes new pavilion”

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£5,000 boost for Ulverston Inshore Rescue

4th August 2016

Ulverston Inshore Rescue received a grant of £5,000 from the Cumbria Fund to purchase equipment for their new rescue vehicle. The rescue organisation used the funds to purchase a winch, roof … Continue reading “£5,000 boost for Ulverston Inshore Rescue”

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Creative workshops captivate disadvantaged Barrow community

27th July 2016

Funding to run multi-generational creative art sessions has helped to reduce poverty and isolation in Barrow. St Matthew’s Community Hall, on Highfield Road, is located in one of the most disadvantaged wards … Continue reading “Creative workshops captivate disadvantaged Barrow community”

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Furness Autism charity receives funding for community activities

21st July 2016

An award of £1,500 is helping to support young people with autistic spectrum disorders in the Furness peninsular. The Furness branch of the National Autistic Society (NAS) received the funding … Continue reading “Furness Autism charity receives funding for community activities”

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Barrow residents share time and skills

6th June 2016

Barrow Timebank, run by Inspire Furness CIC, received £5,000 in May 2016 from the Barrow Community Trust and Cumbria Fund to help with running costs for another year. Time banks act as … Continue reading “Barrow residents share time and skills”

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Girls football picking up the pace thanks to funding

3rd June 2016

Girls are picking up footballing skills at a rapid pace thanks to a successful coaching programme. Barrow AFC’s Only Girls Allowed scheme is now entering its third year and has seen … Continue reading “Girls football picking up the pace thanks to funding”

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Funding boost to support peer mentoring in Barrow

13th April 2016

A new project which provides peer mentoring to assist junior school children with a smooth transition to life at senior school was able to go ahead thanks to a £750 … Continue reading “Funding boost to support peer mentoring in Barrow”

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Charity partnership aiming to reduce mental distress

4th March 2016

Funding from the Cumbria Fund fund has enabled Mind in Furness to continue with a project which allows its members to work side-by-side in partnership with National Trust volunteers on conservation … Continue reading “Charity partnership aiming to reduce mental distress”

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Learning centre’s immediate future secured

25th February 2016

The immediate future of a charity in Dalton-in-Furness has been secured by a grant from Cumbria Community Foundation. Dalton Learning Centre provides a range of services to the local community, including … Continue reading “Learning centre’s immediate future secured”

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Naval excursion for Barrow Sea Cadets

4th February 2016

Barrow Sea Cadet Corps (BSCC) received £800 from the Wing Cdr H Thompson & Rev Green Grassroots Fund last summer to provide nautical training for young people. The funding covered … Continue reading “Naval excursion for Barrow Sea Cadets”

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Healthy eating initiative for deaf young people

3rd November 2015

Cumbria-DeafVision is addressing obesity and social exclusion issues affecting deaf and hearing-impaired young people by offering cookery workshops as part of a county wide healthy eating initiative. Already running in … Continue reading “Healthy eating initiative for deaf young people”

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Voyage of a lifetime for Barrow’s young people

20th July 2015

A group of young people from Barrow were able to go on a trip of lifetime, thanks to funding from the Cumbria Young People’s Fund. Project John, a supported housing … Continue reading “Voyage of a lifetime for Barrow’s young people”

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Barrow Foodbank’s new wheels set donations in motion

28th May 2015

Barrow Foodbank’s new van will make it easier and more efficient for volunteers to collect and distribute essentials such as food and household items. Thanks to a £500 grant from … Continue reading “Barrow Foodbank’s new wheels set donations in motion”

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Women’s Community Matters

19th May 2015

Women’s Community Matters recently received £1,000 from the Barrow Community Trust. Rebecca Rawlings, Centre Manager tells us how the grant has helped the group: “The grant has allowed us to … Continue reading “Women’s Community Matters”

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Four Groves Community Association

5th March 2015

Cumbria Community Foundation and Barrow Community Trust have been supporting Four Groves Community Association since 2006. The charity group, based in the Four Groves Estate, Risedale, Barrow-in-Furness aims to support … Continue reading “Four Groves Community Association”

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Marsh St. Arches and Garden Community Interest Company (Green Heart Den)

14th November 2013

Marsh St. Arches was awarded £300 from Barrow Community Trust. The grant went towards tools, equipment and supplies for their Garden Volunteer workforce, particularly in relation to garden maintenance tasks. The … Continue reading “Marsh St. Arches and Garden Community Interest Company (Green Heart Den)”

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