Event celebrates three years of project support in West Cumbria

Gordon Henry, Bedrock Basics Development Officer, reports on an event celebrating three years of the Bedrock Basics Project, providing a wide range of 1:1 support, advice and group training for non-profit organisations and community groups who deliver services in west Cumberland.

Bedrock Basics Project hosted our Celebration Event in Workington on 27 June. This event was attended by a total of 46 people. 37 individuals were there representing a total of 21 non-profit organisations. There were also 9 representatives there from public and private sector partner organisations.

We planned the event to showcase the work of Bedrock Basics Project and the range of work we deliver to support the work of non-profit organisations. However, we also we also wanted the event to showcase the work of some of the non-profit organisations that we have supported. We commissioned films to showcase the work of three organisations and premiered these at our celebration event:

The Samaritans of West Cumbria

Autism Support Allerdale and Copeland

Home To Work / Skills 4 You

We also produced 2 short videos on the work of Bedrock Basics and that of the Digital Skills Officer:

Thank you to Phil Hewitson, from Carlisle based Tolivar Productions, for sensitively and empathetically filming and editing these films. Thanks too to the paid staff and volunteers from each of the the three organisations for the work that they do.

These organisations were chosen to provide a sample of the range of organisations we support. Two of these organisations provide a range of vital support entirely through unpaid volunteers. The third has a larger budget and paid staff and is a recipient of Bedrock Awards funding and support. One focuses on the previous Copeland area; one focuses on the previous Allerdale area and one covers the whole of west Cumbria. All three share an absolute passion and commitment to the quality of services that they provide to the people and communities that they support.

The morning session also heard a presentation from Debbie Steel, Manager of Wigton Rugby Union Football Club. Debbie is one of the participants in “Personal Leadership in Non-Profit Organisations.” This course has been arranged and funded through Bedrock Basics Project and delivered by Centre for Leadership Performance. Debbie’s presentation reflected on the positive impact that participating in this training has had on her as a Manager in the organisation and in her day-to-day work.

The event allowed everyone to reflect on their successes as organisations over the past 2 years and built up a “Success Wall” of these achievements. An activity also allowed people to contribute to their “Wishes and Issues” for the next 2 years. In the afternoon session we focused on key areas of Funding, Volunteers, Governance and Organisational Development and Digital Skills.

Gordon Henry, Development Officer, at the Bedrock Basics Celebration Event

The Bedrock Basics Team (L-R) Laura Rutter, Digital Support Officer; Bridget Johns, District Manager - Cumberland; Gordon Henry, Development Officer; (Front) Judith Smale, Volunteering Manager.

Cumbria CVS Chair of Trustees, Sheila Gregory, at the Bedrock Basics Celebration Event

 

Information from the event is currently being collated and a report from the event will be finalised and distributed to participants and those who were unable to attend on the day.