A major research project has been launched to find out the challenges and opportunities faced by people living in Furness.
And locals are being invited to get involved.
Commissioned by Cumbria Community Foundation, it aims to create a guide of what needs to be done to improve lives, and helping to attract funding to the area.
Two meetings are being held next week to brief people about the project and give people a chance to influence the report.
Andy Beeforth, chief executive of Cumbria Community Foundation, is hoping people will take the opportunity to share information about social issues in Furness and the good work that is being done in the area around them.
He said: “This is a major piece of work that we are undertaking and we have already had detailed discussions with the councils, BAE, MP Simon Fell and others about the project. Now we are keen to engage with a wider range of people across the community.
“The report will look at everything from health and unemployment to education and housing as well looking at the important work that is already being done in Furness and some of the opportunities here too.
“COVID has highlighted many of these issues, but this report will not just be about the pandemic – we want to take a longer view of Furness and delve into the data.
Cumbria Community Foundation has previously produced two community needs reports: Cumbria Revealed: A County of Contrasts 2017 and West Cumbria Opportunities and Challenges 2019.
Both reports have provided an analysis of the challenges and opportunities in the county, highlighted some of the work already being undertaken to address disadvantage and identified opportunities for social impact investors to target their efforts and help communities to thrive.
Each report has provided an effective tool for securing additional investment to address priority community needs.
Both documents have been widely shared, informing local policies and investment strategies.
They have also been used by many third sector groups to prioritise their work and to access funding locally and nationally.
Most recently the West Cumbria Opportunities and Challenges 2019 report was instrumental in helping the foundation to secure a £2.2m social investment programme in West Cumbria last year, funded by Sellafield Ltd and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority.
Two online briefings are being held next week.
The first will be at 6pm on Wednesday and the second will be at 1pm on Thursday.
To attend either of the briefings, email Susan Houghton at [email protected].
Alternatively email Susan with any questions or suggestions.
