At a recent meeting of Cumbria County Council’s Local Committee for Carlisle, members were updated on how over £77,000 has now been allocated to support a number of local organisations who provide essential care and support to those in need.
The money is thanks to a grant from DEFRA to Cumbria County Council, the grant totalled £554,555 and has been shared out across Cumbria, with the Carlisle area being allocated £77,000 to support local organisations.
The council’s ‘Ways to Welfare’ programme was awarded £200,000. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected people in lots of ways, and whilst Cumbrian communities have been fantastic at supporting each other, many people are finding they need a bit of extra help and support.
The new Ways to Welfare programme has been developed to provide access to support for local people on a range of issues, including help with food, housing and heating, health and wellbeing and financial problems. More information is available via the council website at cumbria.gov.uk/welfare.
A total of £354,555 was shared between the other Cumbrian districts to support a range of community groups and services.
Organisations in the Carlisle area benefiting from a share of £77,000 include:
- Longtown Food Bank – £7,000
- Brampton Area Action Group – £9,000
- Carlisle Community Help Group – £13,000
- Citizen Advice group – £5,000
- Petteril Bank Community Centre – £5,000
Cllr Cyril Weber, Chair of Cumbria County Council’s Local Committee for Carlisle, said: “I am so pleased that we have been able to help so many local groups at this difficult and challenging time. Sadly so many people are facing hard times that it is more important than ever before that there is a wide range of help and support available to them – from financial advice to food on their table. I only wish we could do more but we will continue to do our best to secure additional funding to support those in need and I am exceptionally grateful to DEFRA for their generous grant.”
