18th December 2025
“Disability touches everybody, when you have an industrial heritage like we have here in Barrow. People have really difficult lives, really complex and complicated situations.”
Lorraine Irving is Chief Executive of Barrow and District Disability Association (BDDA), working at the heart of the community to support people with diverse and complex needs. Every day, her small but mighty team has no idea who will walk through the door and what help they might need.
BDDA applied to Cumbria Community Foundation for a grant to fund a dedicated Benefits and Triage Officer and was awarded £7,830 towards salary costs from the Cumbria Fund, Pappagallino Fund and the Robinson Family Fund. This role is carried out with a quiet confidence and determination by Jayne Phizacklea, who previously volunteered for the charity.
She explained: “My role involves meeting people coming into the centre and assessing what their needs are, whether it be benefits, social activities, disability aids – whatever they need.
“A person might come in and ask for help applying for Universal Credit, but then we also end up helping them with a blue badge application, mobility aids… It’s that first initial contact and conversation; you don’t know where it will lead.
Taking the time to listen
“It’s really important that we listen to what people need, take the time to really listen and understand what each person is going through. With this understanding, we can support them in the way that’s right for them, whether that’s helping them here at the centre or connecting them with another local organisation that can offer extra support.”
The charity’s base is a friendly, welcoming space at the heart of Barrow, with a community café and social areas stocked with art and craft materials, books and games.
Jayne said: “We have a very relaxed atmosphere here at the centre. Talking and listening is the most important thing, I think, when people first come through the doors. They soon realise that we are a small group of people, so they feel very comfortable very quickly; they tell us quite quickly what their needs are and then we’re able to assign them the help they need.”
Lorraine explained how vital this support is. “Many of the people who access BDDA’s services face a combination of poverty, disability, long-term ill health, low income, social isolation, and are disabled individuals, carers, or people with chronic physical or mental health conditions. Many are digitally excluded, lacking the skills, confidence, or equipment to access essential online systems, including welfare applications.
“All of these challenges make it harder to navigate the benefits system. Our services are personalised to make sure that they actually make a difference to the individual.”
Tackling loneliness and social isolation
BDDA runs social activities, including craft sessions and dressmaking classes, aimed at tackling loneliness and social isolation. These are also funded by Cumbria Community Foundation from the national DCMS Know Your Neighbourhood fund, as part of Furness For You.
Dressmaking tutor Jenny Le Roy witnesses firsthand the impact these activities have on those taking part. She said: “I’ve had students who’ve come who are so shy and just to actually walk in this building is a huge, huge step. I see the progression week by week, the confidence. It’s wonderful and I think it’s because the other students are so caring and supportive. We call it social sewing – the sewing, chatting… It’s lovely, really lovely.”