July 7, 2026

Cumbria CVS and the Freemasons of Cumberland & Westmorland are working in partnership to provide vital support to small charities and community organisations across Cumberland and Westmorland. The year long initiative, Freemasons and Communities: Building Stronger Together, aims to strengthen the skills, confidence and long term sustainability of voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) groups.

Funded by the Masonic Charitable Foundation (now known as Freemasons’ Charity) this project supports Cumbria CVS’ ability to deliver focused one to one support and practical workshops in governance, business planning, funding and volunteer management. Alongside this, a new skills based volunteering programme has been developed to match Freemasons’ (and their family and friends) professional strengths such as finance, health and safety, and strategic planning, directly with the needs of local VCFSE organisations, creating real impact where it matters most.

The volunteering element of the project also includes matching Freemasons, their family and friends with one off opportunities, such as painting a community room, marshalling at a sports event.

This project is important as many small Cumbrian organisations are facing rising demand on their services, reduced funding and difficulty recruiting volunteers. Through direct support and volunteering this partnership will help safeguard essential services in towns and rural communities, ensuring groups can continue supporting residents facing poverty, isolation, poor mental health and other challenges.

The Freemasons are well known for their charitable giving but this initiative marks the first collaboration of its kind between Cumbria CVS and the Freemasons. We see this as a long term model that is designed to build stronger, more resilient communities across the county.

Nick Wilson, Head of the Freemasons said “This funding and partnership shows Freemasonry at its best and reflects our aims of ‘Building Friendships & Serving Communities’. By combining the expertise of our members with the reach of Cumbria CVS, we can strengthen the charities, social enterprises and community groups that hold our communities together.”

Bridget Johns Operations Manager for Cumbria CVS said “We’re all excited, not only to receive this significant funding, but also in particular to partner alongside the Freemasons to support our local charities and social enterprises. We believe this innovative approach will build more resilient community organisations.”