Carers organisations in Cumbria are celebrating after being awarded £440,000 by the Big Lottery.
Four organisations will share the cash after a joint bid was submitted by Eden Carers, Furness Carers, Carers Support South Lakeland and West Cumbria Carers working collectively as Carers Support Cumbria (CSC). The grant is the largest single sum granted in Cumbria by the Big Lottery in the 2019/20 financial year.
Collectively the four organisations work with around 6000 carers, but it is estimated there may be as many as 50,000 carers in the county.
The four year funding will be used for a variety of different projects around the county, with different organisations focusing on different groups of carers. Carers organisations provide a range of support and advice to help people cope with their caring roles.
Cumbria County Council currently contracts with Carers Support Cumbria (CSC) and this funding will complement that work.
Dani Leslie, Chief Executive at Eden Carers, said: “This is a fantastic grant award that gives carers organisations across the county a huge boost. The funding is for four years and will support a range of different projects aimed different types of carers and the aim is to learn from these for the future. It’s particularly positive that different carers organisations have worked together, with the support of the Big Lottery, to achieve this outcome, which will be of huge benefit to carers who need our support.”
Cllr Patricia Bell, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care at Cumbria County Council, said: “It really can’t be underestimated how challenging being a carer can be. These organisations do really important work supporting people and I’m absolutely delighted that they have been successful in this bid.”
