Cumbria Third Sector Network
Cumbria’s Third Sector: Making a Difference
Cumbria has a large and vibrant third sector, made up of organisations that play a huge role in the life of Cumbrian communities. These organisations range from community groups run entirely by volunteers to large local charities and social enterprises, some of which employ several hundred staff and have a multi-million pound turnover each year.
From the volunteers running our village halls and mountain rescue teams, to the specialist staff working in our hospices and children’s centres, life in Cumbria quite simply wouldn’t be the same without them. The people of Cumbria are at the core – people giving and receiving support, and increasing sustainability of our local economies, environment, culture and heritage.
In 2022, Cumbria had 2294 registered third sector organisations (435 in Allerdale, 169 in Barrow-in-Furness, 323 in Carlisle, 239 in Copeland, 396 in Eden, 732 in South Lakeland). It is obviously harder to quantify the number of “under the radar” groups (the small groups with no requirement to register), and there are also national or regional third sector organisations registered outside Cumbria, but these are estimated to roughly double the size of the sector, to at least 4,000 organisations.
The third sector employs almost 10,000 full time equivalent staff (5,500 in Westmorland & Furness and 4,800 in Cumberland), and the registered organisations alone work with more than 50,000 volunteers who give their time for free – a contribution that would cost over £38 million a year if paid at the National Living Wage. The third sector as a whole brings £508m to the Cumbrian Economy.
(The data we’re using mainly comes from the Third Sector Trends Study, led by Professor Tony Chapman from the University of Durham.)
Cumbria Third Leaders Forum
Cumbria Third Sector Leaders’ Forum is convened by Cumbria CVS, working closely with ACT and CYA when there is a strategic issue to discuss.
Meetings are advertised through Cumbria CVS, ACT and CYA mailings, and operate on an “open invite” basis, with anyone working (or volunteering) in a leadership role within the third sector welcome to attend if the meeting topic is of interest to them.
The Forum is focussed on influencing, and Cumbria CVS produces and circulates a brief summary of the key points of the meeting, which is used by sector leaders in the partnership meetings they attend.
Third Sector leaders who would like to propose a topic for discussion at the forum should contact Cumbria CVS (info@cumbriacvs.org.uk)
Cumbria Compact
The Cumbria Compact creates the framework for developing the relationship between public and third sector organisations in Cumbria, supporting them to work together to strengthen communities and improve the lives of people in Cumbria.
Contact Us
To find out more about Cumbria Third Sector Network, contact:
Or call us on 01768 800350.
