Health and care leaders in Cumbria are warning that older people are facing one of the toughest and potentially most deadly winters on record.

The soaring cost-of-living crisis means this winter poses a serious threat to elderly people who already struggle to afford heating at home.

Every year between 300 and 500 older Cumbrians die because of problems related to not being able to heat their homes.

Colin Cox, Cumbria’s Director of Public Health, said: “The cost-of-living crisis has overtaken Covid-19 as the major public health threat over the coming months.

“Difficulty in heating houses leads directly to increased lung and heart health problems and contributes to the higher rate of hospitalisations and deaths that we see over the winter, so I’m particularly worried about what might happen this year.

“Winter is always a particularly difficult time for many people, including those who are older and on lower incomes, and this year is likely to be exceptionally so.”

His comments come as this year’s Winter Warmth Appeal launches in Cumbria with the aim of raising £500,000 to help older people turn on their heating.

Colin Cox said: “I very much welcome the Winter Warmth Appeal as something that could really help Cumbria’s most vulnerable people in what looks set to be the hardest winter for many years.”

Last year generous Cumbrian individuals and businesses donated a record £222,819 to the Winter Warmth Appeal. This was used to make 1,319 grants, helping 1,751 older Cumbrians keep warm.

Hannah Kitching, client services manager at Age UK South Lakeland says the appeal is more vital than ever this year.

“Bluntly put, the Winter Warmth Appeal could be the difference between life and death,” she said.

“Older people are petrified and are making drastic sacrifices for fear of being unable to stay safe and well in their own homes.”

The Winter Warmth Appeal is run each year by the charity Cumbria Community Foundation which is based in Dovenby.

CCF chief executive Andy Beeforth said: “Every year many vulnerable Cumbrians have to choose between heating and eating.

“But this winter could see many more in serious difficulty because of the huge rises in the cost of energy happening at the same time as spiralling food costs. It is a perfect storm of difficulty facing older Cumbrians with limited means.

“I would ask everyone who is able, to please make a donation to the Winter Warmth Appeal, whether large or small. The money goes directly in grants to help elderly Cumbrians to turn on their heating during the coldest weather.”

Cumbria Community Foundation has run the appeal every year since it was launched in 2010 raising more than £1m. This year the Foundation has set a higher target of £500,000. Any donations made between 7th November and 9th December will be doubled with match funding.

Andy Beeforth said: “Because of the severity of the circumstances this year we have set our highest ever target – £500,000.

“We know that Cumbrians are immensely generous, the Winter Warmth Appeal raised a record amount last year. I hope we can rise to the exceptional challenge this winter and smash the new target.

“Please donate if you can. Let’s not let the cold and the cost-of-living crisis bring misery and the risk of death to vulnerable older members of our community.”

Last year a winter warmth grant proved crucial for Anthony Gorman and his wife Carol. Anthony, 78, and Carol, 81, live in Little Urswick near Barrow-in-Furness.

“I have never had anything for nothing, and I didn’t hold out much hope of getting this grant, so it was a big surprise when we did,” said Anthony.

“It made a terrific difference. I’m quite badly disabled with a serious spinal condition. I’m in constant pain and have dreadful sciatica virtually constantly.

“I can’t walk very far so I can’t move about to keep warm. With the cost-of-living crisis at the moment it’s very disturbing to see people doing without food to keep the heating on.

“I hope to God it never comes to not being able to afford heating. Cold makes the pain worse,” he said.

“To people who donate money to help the likes of myself I say, thank you very much. They absolutely make a huge difference to both of us.”

Rosemary Armstrong, 78, from Stanwix in Carlisle, says a winter warmth grant made winter bearable last year.

“The bungalow gets very, very cold,” said Rosemary. “I have to sit with my feet up in the evening because they turn to blocks of ice. My circulation is not as good as it was.”

Rosemary says she has cut down on food due to rising costs. “I have lost a stone and a half which I probably needed to do. I just don’t eat as many treats and puddings anymore.

“The winter warmth grant makes a big difference in not worrying so much about my bills and being able to keep warm.”

The Winter Warmth Appeal also proved vital for Peter Charters last year. Peter is 73 and lives in Grange-over-Sands in a rented two-bedroom flat.

A winter warmth grant meant he could keep his storage heaters on during the coldest weather.

“It was getting quite cold. I had to get the blankets out. I used to wrap myself up in a duvet,” said Peter who suffers from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and diabetes.

“I’m quite vulnerable,” he said. “I can’t get out for exercise now because of the COPD, if I walk any distance I get out of breath.

“I am very grateful to people who have donated to the Winter Warmth Appeal. If they have the means to be able to donate, I am more than grateful, especially for people like myself who don’t have a very high income and you are stuck in that situation.”

There are many ways in which you can make a donation, find our more here.

*Carlisle artist David Lush created the attached image specially for the Winter Warmth Appeal fund report 2021-2022.

Post: Age Friendly Coordinator

We are one of the county’s leading grant makers, providing much needed financial support to local community groups and initiatives that make a big difference to the lives of those in genuine need. Our aim is to change people’s lives for the better through donations from individuals, companies, charitable trusts and statutory organisations.

We’re looking to develop an Age Friendly community in South Lakeland, which aims to create a supportive, welcoming and vibrant environment for older adults. Everyone has the right to a good life as they get older and our whole society benefits when people are able to age well.

We have long recognised the importance of place-based approaches in helping people to age well. This is a pivotal role to support our ambition to build an Age Friendly community in South Lakeland. The postholder will work with partner organisations, agencies, authorities and local residents to ensure more people have an opportunity to enjoy a good later life, and to reduce inequalities in ageing.

Download the job description and application form from our website www.cumbriafoundation.org For an informal discussion about the role, contact Annalee Holliday on 01900 825760.
Closing date is 10am, Monday 14th November
Interviews will take place on 30th November 2022.

Download the job description and application form. 

For an informal discussion about the role, contact Annalee Holliday on 01900 825760.

Closing date is 10am, Monday 14th November

Interviews will take place on Wednesday 30th November 2022. A pre-interview task will be forwarded to those called for interview for completion in advance.

Community projects across south Cumbria are celebrating after being awarded grants to support a range of issues including tackling the many challenges facing England’s largest lake.

Homewares retailer, Lakeland, joined forces with Cumbria Community Foundation to expand the company’s reach into local communities and show its gratitude and ongoing support for the Cumbrian community where the business was founded more than 50 years ago.

The myLakeland Fund was set up to support community projects in and around Windermere, Kendal and South Lakeland, and has awarded more than £23,000 to local causes since it was set up six months ago.

Children and young people suffering with mental health issues will be able to access counselling sessions thanks to a £7,500 grant to self-harm awareness charity, SAFA.

The charity has seen a 70% increase in referrals related to self-harming and three in five are aged under 19. Ian Burns, Chair of Trustees, said: “This is fantastic news for SAFA, and we are extremely grateful to Lakeland. We are determined to deliver significant benefit to those who need support in Kendal. People’s lives will be significantly improved as a result of this funding.”

Lake District Foundation received £3,890 for its Love Your Lake project that aims to clean up Windermere and improve the environment.

Sarah Swindley, Chief Executive of Lake District Foundation, said: “We are delighted to receive this funding which will enable us to introduce and manage ‘two-minute litter pick stations’ at busy lake locations. These will encourage people to take part in mini litter picks and raise a wider awareness about caring for our lakes and local environment.”

Bay Trust Radio, one of Cumbria’s oldest radio stations, received £3,050 to recruit new volunteers and purchase equipment to allow them to broadcast from home.

The station started broadcasting in 1977 in the old Westmorland County Hospital before moving to the Westmorland General.

John Williamson, president and station manager, said: “When I started in hospital radio, patients would have been in hospital for weeks but now they may only be in for days, so the station has had to move forward and expand the service.

“Every person involved with the station is a volunteer who gives up their time to bring enjoyment to others every week. Being awarded this grant will enable our charity to introduce new volunteers to present radio shows from home, encouraging those less mobile or with physical disabilities to join in.”

Carer Support South Lakes also received £9,000 over the next three years to support the most vulnerable carers and help them identify steps to improve their wellbeing.

Fran Wilkinson, Head of Loyalty at Lakeland, said: “Having launched the myLakeland fund in partnership with Cumbria Community Foundation six months ago, we’re delighted to see the difference that the fund is already making here in our local community. Whilst Lakeland is now a national retailer, we were founded here in the heart of the Lake District, where our Head Office, Flagship Store and Distribution Centre remain to this day, and it’s important to us that we give back to the local community that has supported us. With the help of our myLakeland members, we’ve been able to commit £50,000 of support to local charities and not-for-profit organisations right here in South Lakeland and we’re looking forward to continuing to see these funds being distributed to many great causes.”

Cumbria Community Foundation has been building philanthropic support for communities and grassroots groups for 22 years. In that time, working with individual donors and businesses, it has invested almost £60 million into local communities.

Annalee Holiday, Senior Grants & Programmes Officer at the Foundation, said: “Lakeland has been a supporter of our work for many years, and we are delighted to help the company distribute its charitable giving to local community projects like these.

“Our job is to harness the spirit of local philanthropy, connecting local donors and funders to local people running grassroots initiatives, tackling some of the most challenging social and health challenges on our doorstep.”

To find out more about the myLakeland Fund, click here or contact Annalee Holiday via annalee@cumbriafoundation.org or on 01900 825760 to check eligibility.

Communities throughout the North West have an opportunity to be awarded a share of £500,000 through a fund designed to improve resilience.

The region’s power network operator, Electricity North West, has launched the new Storm Arwen Community Resilience Fund and is now welcoming applications.

The fund is aimed at groups and organisations that supported communities throughout one of the worst storms the North West has ever seen.

Grants of up to £10,000 are being made available and in exceptional circumstances, grants of up to £15,000 will be considered.

Stephanie Trubshaw, Electricity North West’s customer director, said: “The level of community support shown during Storm Arwen last year was amazing and something we want to support and learn from.

“We want to be able to ensure the good work continues in the future should adverse weather cause disruption again and that’s why we’re launching our new Storm Arwen Resilience Fund.

“The fund is aimed at organisations and groups to support the welfare of their residents in such events. The criteria we’ve set out is fairly open as we want communities to tell us what matters to them in a time of need.”

The fund is eligible to local volunteer-led organisations, not-for-profit community organisations, local registered charities and parish councils.

Examples of projects supported could be permanently installed generators, new or improved hot food and drink facilities or an improved community communications hub.

Electricity North West is working alongside Cumbria Community Foundation who will be administering the fund across the whole of the North West. In Cumbria specifically, one of the worst-hit areas during Storm Arwen, potential applicants can receive application support from ACTion with Communities in Cumbria (ACT).

Applicants must be based in or provide a service to eligible communities, which are defined as those that were off electricity supply for 72 hours or more during Storm Arwen in November 2021.

During Storm Arwen, 93,000 properties lost power across the North West after winds reached 74mph and tens of thousands of trees came down, pulling down power lines and snapping electricity poles.

Electricity North West restored 18,000 properties automatically within three minutes and over 600 engineers battled the elements restoring 90% of customers within 48 hours, despite continuing winds.

The fund is in addition to the £6m the power network has invested in winter preparations this year to reduce the impact on or customers through severe weather events.

For more information about the fund including criteria, please click here.

Holiday and second homeowners are helping communities thrive as two community projects receive the first grants from a new fund.

Cumbria Community Foundation’s Home from Home Fund invites second and holiday homeowners to donate the equivalent of one week’s rent each year, with a minimum suggested donation of £500.

The funds are then allocated to specific projects in towns and villages where many of the properties are located.

The fund has so far helped two local causes: Carers Support South Lakes and Lunesdale Hall in Kirkby Stephen.

Carer Support South Lakes has developed a health and wellbeing programme, which will support around 140 unpaid adult carers in the district.

Debi Marsden, CEO of Carer Support South Lakes, said the demands on unpaid carers could lead to financial issues, as well as feelings of isolation, stress and other physical and mental health problems.

“The health and wellbeing programme works with adult unpaid carers to strengthen their resilience, develop healthy coping strategies and build their confidence and self worth,” said Debi.

“The focus will be to help carers identify their individual needs and offer support that will lessen the impact of their caring role.”

The programme involves group work and one-to-one counselling, as well as therapy sessions, such as yoga or reflexology.

“A health and wellbeing practitioner will work with the individual to find the right resource and help them get to do what they want to do at a time that they wish to do it,” said Debi.

“It could be anything the carer feels they need to lessen the impact and enable them to cope.”

“It really does make a massive difference,” said Debi.

“The funding enables us to employ a part-time worker to run the programme and have all of the infrastructure behind them – the laptops and phones and everything else – that will enable them to do it.”

Meanwhile, Lunesdale Hall, in Kirkby Lonsdale, received a donation from the Home from Home Fund to help pay for a new kitchen.

The building, which dates back to 1895, is used for a range of community, recreational and commercial purposes.

During the Covid-19 pandemic the hall began running a ‘community cupboard’ providing food to people in need and hosting regular community lunches.

However, Michael Burchnall, deputy chair and secretary of Lunesdale Hall committee, said the kitchen is not currently suitable for preparing food for large numbers of people.

“We wanted to host it in the Lunesdale Hall and prepare the food in the hall, but it was impossible for the numbers involved so we’ve been having to prepare the food elsewhere,” he said.

Michael says an upgrade of the kitchen will help solve this problem.

It will also provide facilities to cater for a growing number of enquiries from people who want to book the hall for weddings or other events.

It is hoped work could begin to revamp the kitchen in late September.

“Everything we’re getting in grants means that we don’t have to spend our diminishing resources on the hall and will help it to play an even more important role in the community,” says Michael.

Both organisations will benefit from a £1,000 donation towards the total cost of their projects, helping to make them a reality.

The Cumbria Home from Home Fund has been developed in partnership with self-catering agents and holiday homeowners operating in and around Lake District and wider Cumbria and is also being backed by Cumbria Tourism.

Jacqui Currie, Head of Development at Cumbria Community Foundation, said: “We have been very pleased with the response to our Home from Home Fund and I’d like to thank everybody who has donated and helped to promote it.

“The Fund provides an easy mechanism for holiday and second homeowners to give back to the communities that host their properties.

“It’s fantastic to see these funds doing exactly what they are intended to do; making a real difference and improving the lives of people in our local community.”

West Cumbrian charities and community groups are being encouraged to apply for funding to invest in digital solutions.

The COVID-19 crisis has increased the need for organisations to explore how digital approaches can be used to create more impact for the people they work with.

Bedrock Digital has been created to help charitable groups carry out their work in a more efficient and effective way, resulting in positive social benefit.

Managed by Cumbria Community Foundation, grants will normally be up to £5,000 and the fund will prioritise organisations that alleviate poverty and disadvantage and projects that are addressing needs identified in the Foundation’s West Cumbria Opportunities and Challenges report.

Free expert advice and guidance from Charity Technology is also available to help groups examine whether a digital solution is the best idea, explore alternative solutions and identify any implications of implementing a new solution.

Bedrock Digital is part of Transforming West Cumbria (TWC) which is funded through Sellafield Ltd’s social impact multiplied programme SiX. This social investment programme has been developed in partnership with Cumbria Community Foundation and focuses on promoting thriving communities by supporting sustainable activities that create self-reliance and independence.

Gary McKeating, Head of Community & Development at Sellafield Ltd, said: “The pandemic has pushed charities and community groups to work differently so they could continue to offer their vital services. In some cases the IT was not ideal to make the most of it. This offer of advice and grant funding should help to improve their IT systems and enable them to work more efficiently.”

A recent grant to Whitehaven, Egremont & District Credit Union (WEDCU) supported the implementation of a new hybrid banking platform to provide more flexibility and a greater range of online and digital services.

Andrea Dockeray, Development Manager, said: “We are delighted to be awarded the grant as this investment is much more than an IT upgrade; we see this as a digital transformation making a critical contribution to our sustainability and growth going forward”.

Applications can be made at any time and will be considered at the quarterly grants committee meetings held in September, December, March and June. However, groups are encouraged to access initial free support for their digital developments prior to applying by contacting, Kevin Beynon at Charity Technology.

Kevin said: “I’m excited to be working with Cumbria Community Foundation on Bedrock Digital to support organisations and groups in Allerdale and in Copeland, where I live. The funding from Sellafield Ltd will help us deliver advice, support and training to voluntary and community groups, and social enterprises in West Cumbria, and ensure they benefit from the digital tools and skills they need to support their communities.”

Visit https://charitytechnology.co.uk/bedrockdigital to signup for initial free support.

If you would like to know more about this fund, please contact: Lisa Blackwell on 01900 820827 or email lisa@cumbriafoundation.org

Community groups supporting disabled people are due to benefit thanks to a new grant making fund.

The creation of the Disability Fund for Cumbria, managed by Cumbria Community Foundation, will support practical interventions that promote the inclusion and integration of disabled people into employment and independent living.

The new fund was set up following the closure of Disability association Carlisle & Eden (DaCE), which had been supporting disabled people in Cumbria for more than 20 years. The charity transferred its residual funds to the Foundation to help other organisations providing services and support for disabled people.

Fred Wilenius, Chief Officer for DaCE, said: “For over 20 years, DaCE worked to provide disabled people in Cumbria with the support they need to live independently. So we are very pleased that we have been able to donate DaCE’s residual funds to the Foundation to help establish the Disability Fund. We believe this means that for years to come, Cumbria will have a source of designated funding aimed at encouraging and supporting independent living for disabled people. Our hope is that others will also make donations, so the fund grows and flourishes.”

The money will support initiatives, projects and activities that aim to help disabled people become as independent as possible so that they are able to lead the life they choose in the way they prefer. The fund will prioritise local organisations that employ disabled people and where disabled people are involved as trustees.

Grants for individuals will be available for specialist equipment or training in support of employment and independent living.

Cumbria Community Foundation has been building philanthropic support for communities and grassroots groups for 22 years. In that time, working with individual donors and businesses, it has invested more than £56 million into local communities.

Kevin Walsh, Trustee of Cumbria Community Foundation, said: “We’re delighted to be able to continue DaCE’s legacy and support projects on their doorstep to improve lives and enable local people to realise their potential.

“The Foundation understands that people with disabilities face many challenges and must be able to fulfil their role in society and participate on an equal basis with others. This new fund is a great example how we can work with community groups and charities that make a big difference to the lives of people with disabilities in Cumbria, helping to improve their lives.”

The Disability Fund for Cumbria has been created with the expectation that people will choose to donate to the cause and grow it over time.

To find out more, click here or contact Sarah Thompson, Grants & Programmes Officer via sarah@cumbriafoundation.org or on 01900 825760 to check eligibility.

This summer, children and families will be able to access free food and fun activities thanks to a new fund set up by a former Cumbrian to address holiday hunger.

The summer holidays can be a really difficult time for families who are struggling financially and can be a time when food becomes less varied and nutritious, stresses within the family increase, contact with peers and other social and educational opportunities diminish and physical health declines.

The Allerdale Holiday, Activities and Food Fund was set up by locally born businessman Mike Wombwell and is managed by Cumbria Community Foundation. The fund is making grants to a whole range of projects and activities available to children and young people in areas such as Maryport and Workington to address food hunger.

More than ten organisations that understand the need of their communities have received financial support to date, including Aspatria Dreamscheme, Carnegie Theatre, Ewanrigg and Netherton Tenants and Residents Association (ENTRA), North Lakes Foodbank, West Cumbria Carers, South Workington Youth Partnership and Cumberland Football Association.

Mike said: “I am always inspired by the commitment of local volunteers who are active in the local community and I am happy to make a contribution to support their efforts especially in these challenging times.”

The Cumberland Football Association and Workington Reds in the Community received a grant so children can take home a recipe box to cook a healthy meal at home after a day of activities.

Ray Sempill, Football Development Officer, said: “We recognise that times are particularly hard for families, so we are pleased to be able to provide some support and help to break down barriers to participation. We hope that all the children who have booked a place on the football camps have a great summer.”

West House supports children, young people, and adults with learning and other disabilities in Cumbria. Funding will provide various activities along with a nutritious meal.

Mark Swanston, Registered Manager for Children and Young People, said: “Our care and support is invaluable to all the families that we support including the children and their siblings and the summer holiday can be difficult for the whole family. This funding has enabled us to not only extend our holiday activities but to offer the activity completely free of charge to the children we support. All our families receiving support are so grateful. Not only is this respite for them, but it also allows friendship groups within our support service to keep in touch over the six-week period. A big thank you from the families and all of West House to the generous donor that has enabled this to happen.”

The Carnegie Theatre in Workington is able to provide over 1,000 free hot meals free of charge for children and families on low income over the whole six weeks, thanks to the grant.

Michael Nutter, Hospitality and Facilities Manager, said: “Our main aim over the coming years is to become a central hub that serves the whole community. As well as offering a range of activities and entertainment, we want to support the most vulnerable in our society and so we are incredibly grateful for this grant.”

Cumbria Community Foundation has been building philanthropic support for communities and grassroots groups for 22 years. In that time, working with individual donors and businesses, it has invested more than £56 million into local communities

Annalee Holliday, Senior Grants & Programmes Officer at Cumbria Community Foundation, said: “The summer holidays can be a really difficult time for families who are struggling. The pandemic and subsequent cost of living crisis has hit the most vulnerable the hardest: worrying about how to afford activities and even the basics, like meals and a safe place to play. Food poverty is at the heart of the difficulties for many families.

“The Allerdale Holiday, Activities & Food Fund means that children and young people not only don’t go hungry when term ends but also eat healthily and have fun. This is made possible thanks to a former Cumbrian resident who has a passion for the area in which he grew up and wants to see children and young people overcome these challenges and thrive. I hope many others follow Mike’s lead.”

The Allerdale Holiday, Activities & Food Fund is still open to applications. To apply, visit www.cumbriafoundation.org or contact grants@cumbriafoundation.org