Young people in West Cumbria who want to make a difference in their community can help to transform the area.
Cumbria Community Foundation is looking for youngsters aged 16 to 25 to join the 2021 #CanDo Youth Advisory Panel.
#CanDo encourages community organisations to apply for funding for community projects, led by young people.
Those applications are then considered by a youth panel, putting the decisions firmly in the hands of the next generation.
The Youth Advisory Panel will be made up of up to 15 young people with a wide range of lived experiences and a diversity of backgrounds and will form a crucial part of the foundation’s grant making and steer its charitable work in a more youth-led direction.
Funded by Sellafield Ltd, with match funding from Thomas Graham & Sons and local donors, #CanDo is part of Transforming West Cumbria, a multi-year social investment programme developed by Cumbria Community Foundation.
Sellafield Ltd’s head of community and development, Gary McKeating, said: “This is a great opportunity for young people to get involved and be empowered to make a difference in their communities, I would encourage people to apply, you will also develop new skills and meet new people along the way.”
People who take part will have the opportunity to meet other young people and get a unique view into the charity sector.
The panel is expected to meet up to four times a year and will be held virtually with an in-person meeting if possible, with pandemic restrictions.
Emily Dixon, 16, of Cleator Moor, was part of the panel last year.
She said: “The panel was a great experience to be a part of. It was nice to be able to speak to people and share ideas even with the current circumstances. Everyone was really willing to get involved and all the ideas were very different.”
Annalee Holliday, senior grants and programmes officer at Cumbria Community Foundation, said: “Young people have enormous potential to make a positive change – their involvement is crucial to the future of our communities.
“This group will bring expertise and a fresh pair of eyes to help us decide which projects are funded.”
Applications for the #CanDo Youth Advisory Panel will close on Friday July 9 at 5pm. The first meeting will take place on Tuesday July 27 and will be held virtually.
For more information or to apply, email [email protected]
