Projects
Current projects
We deliver services through a range of projects including the ones below:
Inspiring BarrowOur Inspiring Barrow Kickstart programme works with children who have been identified by schools as needing assistance in improving self-confidence, communication skills, self-efficacy, self-esteem and team work.
Going Green together supports VCSE (voluntary, community and social enterprise) organisations and communities in the North East and Cumbria to take action on the climate emergency, support nature and biodiversity and ensure a just transition to a low carbon future for our communities.
In taking climate action, the VCSE sector will become more resilient and adaptable while helping to protect those most affected by climate change.
Step Forward Into Volunteering and Employment
Step Forward provides tailored support for people in North Cumbria who are facing challenges from Severe Mental Health Experiences (SMHE).
It is delivered through a personalised 1-1 development plan by our team, working in partnership with a range of local mental health providers. It aims to help break down the stigma around mental health, particularly for those living with SMHE, and address the barriers faced when it comes to accessing volunteering, work readiness training and work opportunities.
South Lakes Poverty Truth Commission
The Poverty Truth Commission (PTC) aims to enable the voice and experiences of those living in poverty to be directly heard at decision making levels, bringing about co-produced change for the better for them.
The PTC will change perceptions of poverty by promoting meaningful conversation and relationships between people experiencing poverty and people who control the resources and services that help alleviate poverty.
Bedrock BasicsWe are a delivery partner in the Transforming West Cumbria programme, which is funded by Sellafield Ltd and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) and managed by Cumbria Community Foundation.
Taking on West Cumbria’s most entrenched social and economic problems, it aims to put local people in charge of their own futures by empowering neighbourhoods to create transformational change.
The aim of the project is to connect communities with decision-making that directly impacts them.
Community Connectors will be recruited as volunteers, supported by Area Engagement Workers, and VCSFE groups, to feed back what matters to them. This will also provide ‘a seat at the table’ for under-represented groups.
South Copeland Development Officer
We have a Development Officer supporting voluntary groups and local interest groups in South Copeland, assisting in grant applications, volunteer recruitment and retention as well helping to identify potential Trustees and ensuring they are supported in their new role.
Based in Millom and covering the area from Millom to Drigg, and out to Eskdale, they also give advice on governance or guidance in developing future plans or creating special events, and provide details of many different potential sources of funding.
Our Allerdale Development Officer offers groups support to find funding opportunities to finance new equipment or projects they hope to run; help them bring in more volunteers and service users or up their game and meet their training needs. Drop-in events are also available so that facilitators of community groups and clubs can receive on-the-spot support.
This support is available to non-profit organisations in: Dearham and Broughton, Maryport North, Maryport South, Flimby, Seaton, Harrington, Moorclose and Mossbay, St Johns and Great Clifton and St Michaels.
Furness For You
The Furness For You Partnership is a collaboration between 10 different organisations that are dedicated to focusing on reducing chronic loneliness across Barrow-in-Furness.
Funded by the Know Your Neighbourhood Fund, together, the partnership will tackle isolation and increase community resilience by creating a one door referral system for offering volunteering opportunities, one-to-one support for individuals, building skills and expanding social networks. The projects aims to develop collective understanding of what works to improve wellbeing and pride in place through volunteering and community initiatives.
People in the Lead
People in the Lead supports community groups to develop projects across their communities throughout Barrow and the South Lakes.
The project works at a grassroots level, supporting individuals and groups with initial set-up, advising on governance and group structures, and working with existing groups so they can continue to deliver much-needed projects.
This is Us is funded by Westmorland Furness Council and Central Government, through the levelling up agenda.
It will deliver placed-based support to organisations and volunteers to enhance volunteering opportunities in Westmorland and Furness, while supporting those organisations to thrive through training and 1:1 sessions in capacity building, governance and sustainability.
Health Partnerships Officer (North Cumbria)
A development post, building links between health, care, and voluntary sectors to increase capacity and collaboration.
Third Sector Referral Co-ordinators (North Cumbria)
Support for NHS patients to help with hospital discharge or additional support needs. Referral to voluntary services, helping vulnerable individuals and communities.
They support Integrated Care Community (ICC) staff within all eight ICCs across North Cumbria to understand the third sector and encourage these staff to make appropriate referrals to the Team on behalf of individuals who would benefit from additional, non-clinical support from the variety of third sector services available.
Health Sector investment brokerage
We have negotiated project ideas, delivery options and £1m+ investment directly with public sector health/care organisations, for investment in third sector organisations.
Health and Care support to discharged patients
Structured telephone support to patients recently discharged and in need of additional help, advice, or support services. Referrals are made to specialist voluntary organisations.
Carlisle Community Resilience
Support to local voluntary organisations central to the flooding and pandemic responses, to support and develop ongoing community resilience for further crises.
Cumbria Community Resilience
Part of a DEFRA bid to support specific communities at risk of flooding, through installation of practical flood defences and supporting communities to prepare for and defend against floods.
Previous projects
Ewanrigg Local Trust
Ewanrigg Local Trust (ELT) acted as the Accountable Body for a ten-year community engagement project providing a variety of community support services in Ewanrigg, a residential suburb within Maryport. It was a voluntary organisation made up of people who lived and worked in Ewanrigg who wanted to ensure it is a great place to live – for everybody.
The Centre West Cumbria formed as a charity in 2023 out of award-winning community work delivered by ELT and ENTRA (the Ewanrigg and Netherton Tenants Association). From September, The Centre aims to provide social and creative opportunities for people to connect and grow.
Building Better Opportunities: My Future
The My Future project sought to provide support and work with individuals who faced multiple and complex barriers to employment and who were furthest removed from the labour market.
It helped them to move towards and into employment by supporting them to play a greater, more productive role in their communities, demonstrate increased skills and confidence and be much more likely to consider employment or volunteering as a viable prospect.
We worked with the Northern Cancer Alliance and Macmillan from 2018 to 2023 to support personalised care and recovery for people affected by cancer in North Cumbria.
The work focussed on partnership working with colleagues in health and the voluntary sector to make care more integrated with direct links through to a wide variety of support provided by the voluntary sector.
Living With and Beyond Cancer Services are now being delivered by iCan Health and Fitness, WeCan Wellbeing Hub.
Hosted by us from 2018, Forces Link aimed to connect and signpost ex-forces personnel, and their families, to a range of support that would meet their needs.
During 2021 the project became a Community Interest Company, which provides better sustainability for the work as well as opportunities to respond to needs and funding opportunities faster.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, we provided regular updates for third sector organisations in Cumbria, including advice and support on funding, volunteering, governance, health and wellbeing, and training.
Rebuilding Together/Community Flood Recovery
Following Storm Desmond and flooding across the county in December 2015, the Big Lottery funded a £1 million package to help Cumbrian communities become more resilient and to support local people, communities and organisations to prepare for similar events in the future.
Rebuilding Together was a 3 year programme, led by Cumbria CVS and delivered in partnership with Cumbria Action for Sustainability (CAfS) and Action with Communities in Cumbria (ACT). The programme finished in September 2019.
