December 21, 2022

If there was any doubt that people are still reluctant to attend face to face events, our AGM and Conference on 30 November successfully proved otherwise.

The event, at Energus in Workington, saw 70+ attendees, plus our own staff and Trustees, gather to hear about our activity during 2021-22, and discuss the challenges posed by the increased cost of living.

We were joined by guest speakers, whose positions and expertise provided a fascinating and thought-provoking insight into a subject of huge importance not only to Cumbria, but the whole of the UK.

With an opportunity for networking, and representatives from many local organisations on-hand to engage with guests prior to the main proceedings, the morning began with a welcome and introduction from our Chair of Trustees, Mike Taylor.

Following a presentation of our activity during the 2021-22 financial year (which you can read more about in our Annual Review), a financial update, and re-election of current trustees, presentations began on the conference’s topic, Cost of Living: Responses to the Challenges of Poverty in Cumbria.

We were fortunate to attract a range of important speakers to discuss this pressing issue, and heard first from Mark Fryer, Leader of Cumberland Shadow Authority. Mark spoke passionately about the importance of remembering that this is about people – not budgets, or new authorities.

We heard also from Virginia Taylor, Westmorland & Furness Shadow Authority, Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Communities and Localities, and Colin Cox, Director Public Health.

Tara Edwards, Citizens Advice Allerdale and Shelley Hewitson, Citizens Advice Copeland, highlighted figures demonstrating the increase in demand for their services already underway, before Dr Suzanne Wilson, Research Fellow in Social Inclusion and Community Engagement, University of Central Lancashire, provided a fascinating insight into her recent work.

We then heard from Lois Sparling and Stella Sukram, Poverty Truth Commission (South Lakeland), which is hosted by us, on this new project which aims to enable the voice and experiences of those living in poverty to be directly heard at decision making levels, to bring about co-produced change.

A Q&A session gave the gathered audience the opportunity to ask speakers for their thoughts on the presentations and subject, before HM Lord Lieutenant, Clare Hensman, closed the session and thanked guests for a lively and informative morning.

The event was followed by a networking lunch, with a series of Conversation Cafes stimulating discussion and allowing participants to share issues, experience, learning, actions and feedback.

Huge thanks to all our guests and speakers for making our 2022 AGM and Conference such an interesting and thought-provoking event.

You can watch a video slideshow from our 2022 AGM & Conference below: