Mid-Copeland Development Officer – The first 3 months
May 12, 2026
Driving through stunning fells, lovely countryside and along the coastline of Mid Copeland, it’s hard to imagine this beautiful part of Cumbria and it’s mix of semi-rural and coastal villages, is now my workplace.
I’ve recently visited several voluntary and community groups across the area and seen first-hand the amazing ‘stuff’ that’s happening for the benefit of Mid Copeland’s residents and communities.
I’ve also had lots of insightful chats with community leaders in the area; invaluable to the role of a Development Officer.
Amazing stuff includes:
A visit to Shackles Off to meet Mandy Taylor and find out more about their new youth and community centre, currently being built in Seascale. The new centre will continue to offer the charity’s wide range of activities as well as enabling them to broaden its offer and create new opportunities. It will also provide a base for the Seascale & District Royal British Legion and other local groups.
Attending Beckermet Reading Rooms, Coffee, Cake and Chat event on a Thursday afternoon, and meeting one of their Directors, Geoff Nugent. Geoff told me about their renovation story, and how the building underwent a major transformation and redesign to become a community centre. They now have a wide range of activities taking place there, as well as a nice venue that can be hired for events. I found out more about Beckermet Village Association’s activities and met their walking group, fresh back from a local walk, and having some refreshments!
Meeting Karen Russ from Gosforth Public Hall Management Committee, and having a tour of the building, currently on stage 2 of a big renovation. Phase 2 of the project which will see an extension to the rear of the building to provide a new kitchen and storeroom, internal alterations to improve access and a complete refurbishment of the building. A bonus of this meeting was a visit to Gosforth Bakery, who have the best choice of food for lunch on the go.
A tour of Florence Arts Centre just on the edge of Egremont, seeing the incredible range of activities they have to offer, followed by a good chat with their director Sue MacKay. There clearly is a theme here, as they are also about to undergo a major renovation of their building. Fun fact, it used to be the miners’ shower block! During the renovation they have plans to increase their outreach activities, including into Mid Copeland.
In other development news:
I have spoken to lots of other groups and organisations in the more traditional way (Teams) and provided a range of development support, including developing project ideas, achieving sustainability, funding and budget advice. Volunteering support is often part of the conversation.
Watch this space for incoming projects.
I attended the West Cumbria Volunteering Fair in Workington in April, which was a great opportunity to meet lots of voluntary and community groups and organisations in one place. It enabled me to introduce my role to them and find out about their activities. A great way of seeing if I could offer any development support that could also benefit Mid Copeland.
It was also a great way to encourage more groups and organisations to register for the Copeland Volunteering Fair, taking place at Gosforth Public Hall on 4th June 11.30-13.30.
Click here for more details and to register for a stall
If you’d like to meet me:
I am holding two drop-in events at Beckermet Reading Rooms where you can find out more about the development support I can offer voluntary and community groups.
Thursday 28th May 13.30-15.30
Thursday 23rd July 13.30-15.30
Coffee, cake and free chat are available, no booking required.
I look forward to seeing you there!
Kate
