Charitable groups and community projects in and around the Furness area are being encouraged to apply for funding.
Cumbria Community Foundation manages more than a hundred grant-making funds and awards £2 million a year on average to community organisations. Funding for projects in the Furness area are considered four times a year through the Furness Grants Committee.
Last month, four community projects received a share of £45,000 from the Furness Grants Committee. The money came from funds set up by local people and businesses including the Barrow Community Trust Fund, Brian and Ann Clark Fund and Cumbria Young People’s Fund.
The Cumbria Victims Charitable Trust Fund also made a grant of £350 to an individual affected by domestic violence.
Drop Zone Youth Projects
Drop Zone Youth Projects received £18,500 from the Cumbria Fund and the Cumbria Young People’s Fund to renovate the orchard area of Dalton Train Station.
Cath Corkill, project manager, said: “This project is an innovative piece of work and to have it funded is really positive. We are linking up with Dalton Town Tidy Group and Network Rail. It will enable us to give opportunities to young people over the summer to engage with their local communities.
“Through this piece of work, we will offer practical, accredited opportunities for young people who are currently struggling to engage in school.”
Brathay Trust
Brathay Trust received £20,464 from the Young Persons Opportunity Fund for The Divert Project. This early intervention project will work with 30 young people from Barrow who are at risk of offending, may be disengaging with education and would benefit from positive support.
Gemma Jones, assistant head of community – Cumbria and North West, said: “Through our work in Barrow and relationships with schools and the Youth Offending Service, we know that young people often don’t receive the support they need until they have reached crisis point, and we want to provide an early intervention that will help them understand their potential, the choices available to them and support them to take action to improve their own lives.
“The 12-week programme will combine one-to-one and positive group activities, focusing on personal development and life skills using outdoor, creative and nature-based activities.”
Ellen Clements, senior grants and donor services officer at Cumbria Community Foundation, said: “We are grateful to the generosity of our fundholders to enable us to support these vital groups.
“The funding creates real opportunities for organisations that make a difference in the communities in which they serve. We would like to hear from any community groups in the Furness area to discuss your projects and see how our funds can support your needs.”
For more information about, visit www.cumbriafoundation.org or call Ellen Clements on 01900 820824. The closing date for the next Furness Grants Panel is June 25.
