Charitable organisations across Barrow and the Furness peninsula have received a share of more than £104,000 at Cumbria Community Foundation’s recent grants committee.
The money, which was awarded to six community projects, will support vulnerable families, provide financial advice and guidance, increase community cohesion and improve health and wellbeing.
Encouraging social inclusion and community engagement is the aim of the Ormsgill stronger together project. Working in partnership with the University of Central Lancashire, Cumbria County Council, Cumbria Constabulary, Furness Multicultural Community Forum, Dropzone Youth Projects and Schneider Road Community Group, the project received £19,707.
The grant will be used to employ a local person to deliver activities that encourage community cohesion, including a peer mentoring programme, an intergenerational project, the development of a youth committee and a mum’s group. The BAME community will also be encouraged to get involved, especially Syrian families in Ormsgill through volunteering opportunities.
Janine Adams, Lead Community and Youth Worker at Furness Multicultural Community Forum, said: “I’m really excited to be leading on this project, along with some amazing partner organisations. We hope that the project will have a positive impact across all generations in Ormsgill. The aim of the project is to work with the people of Ormsgill to create opportunities and build positive relationships, which will allow for the community to thrive, both now and in the future.
Love Barrow Families received £34,689 to cover the rent of its building on Abbey Road for the next three years. The organisation works with vulnerable families by improving the relationships between adult and children’s health and social care services. By offering these families a single integrated service, families are supported to understand their underlying issues and parents are engaged to address the needs of their family.
Rugby league club, Barrow Raiders, received £26,000 over three years for its Advantage! Programme, which promotes sport, health and wellbeing and support disadvantaged groups, young people and adults in schools, colleges, and the wider community.
Advantage! delivers various community engagement programmes, including Educating Raiders, which offers local schools coaching expertise, developing the skills and confidence of young people, and focusing on fun, small-sided games, and inclusivity. Overseas players also deliver multi-cultural workshops and offer reading support for free in schools.
Siona Hartley, Schools and Community Liaison Officer, said: “ It was wonderful to receive the news from Cumbria Community Foundation that we have been successful in our bid for funding, which makes a significant contribution, in allowing us to sustain our development over the next three years.
“Over the last eighteen months, we have developed Advantage! from an idea, supported by the brilliant Chairman of Barrow Raiders, Steve Neale, to an organisation which has directly engaged with over 1,700 individuals of all ages on the Furness Peninsula. We bring sport, health and wellbeing to the community through our wide range of projects for all ages, such as Raid Runners, Raider Girls and Raiders Learning Disability Sports.
“An initial grant from the Community Foundation contributed to the set up and allowed us to attract other funders to Advantage! We are extremely grateful that the Foundation has recognised our enormous progress since inception and is helping us to fund our sustainability.
“Cumbria Community Foundation plays a vital role in supporting the good work of many organisations throughout our county, and we at Advantage! applaud its work. “
Ellen Clements, Grants & Donor Services Officer at Cumbria Community Foundation, said: “There are many worthy organisations in the Barrow and Furness area that hold communities together. Our grants are vital in helping local people and helping our communities to thrive. We are grateful for the continued support of all our fund holders.”
For more information or to apply for a grant, visit www.cumbriafoundation.org or call a member of the grants team on 01900 825760.
