[R]esidents of Egremont and Cockermouth can now benefit from the newly launched Lord Egremont Fund for West Cumbria.
The fund, created by Lord Egremont to support his family’s long-term involvement in the community, and managed by Cumbria Community Foundation, recently awarded its first grants.
Time to Change (West Cumbria), which runs the Calderwood House hostel in Egremont received £5,000 to help start up a new allotment project. Residents will work together, under the supervision of a trained horticulturist to grow vegetables that are then used in the kitchen. The project will offer a safe and healthy space to work as a team, giving residents a support network to deal with issues such as isolation, depression and low self-esteem, as well as getting them out in the fresh air.
Rachel Holliday, Director at Time to Change, said: “We are always looking at new ways we can work with our community for the benefit of others.
Thanks to the grant, residents will have the delight of growing their own food, providing a healthy diet with lots of learning in the fresh air, as well as keeping food costs down in the hostel. We are so excited to get going and we know this grant will leave a real legacy to help the homeless in our area.”
In addition, the project received £2,000 from the Shepley Group Grants, also administered by Cumbria Community Foundation.
A further £5,000 was given to Egremont Youth Partnership, which provides a range of activities throughout the week for young people, including young adults with learning disabilities. The sessions give youngsters an alternative to hanging around on the streets; helping to keep them out of trouble and reducing anti-social behaviour, while developing the their skills and capabilities to enable them to participate in society as mature and responsible individuals.
Bern Hellier, Trustee, said: “The Trustees are grateful and delighted with the support we have received this year from the Lord Egremont Fund towards our core running costs. We are entirely dependent on grant aid and fundraising. There is a real need for youth club provision in the town. Over the next year, with this support and that of our other funders, we will be able to run a varied programme for young people in youth sessions which are held on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday nights in our premises in Chapel Street.”
Lord Egremont, said: “I have been lucky enough to have known West Cumbria, particularly the town of Egremont, for almost seventy years. I have great admiration and respect for its people and am very happy to be able to help the community in this way.”
Community based organisations providing activities benefiting people in and around the two towns, and particularly projects that are volunteer-led or make good use of volunteers to support their work, are eligible for funding.
Annalee Holliday, Grants & Donor Services Officer, Cumbria Community Foundation, said: “We are very excited to be working with Lord Egremont to help identify projects his fund can support. We know, for example, 15% of households in West Cumbria have an income of less than £10,000 per year, and it is funds like this that are crucial in helping people improve their lives and getting them involved in their communities.”
To find out more about the Lord Egremont Fund for West Cumbria visit www.cumbriafoundation.org or contact Annalee Holliday on 01900 82470 or email [email protected].
