Two community projects in Cumbria have received a financial boost from a charitable fund set up by a local engineering firm.
The Shepley Group Fund was established in 2009 by Whitehaven-based Shepley Engineers Limited to give grants to small, volunteer-led or community groups helping people facing disadvantage.
The fund, managed by Cumbria Community Foundation, has given out more than £125,000 in grants since then. The latest awards were to Child Bereavement UK and Workington Transport Heritage Trust.
Child Bereavement UK was awarded £2,000 to provide support for bereaved families in the Workington area, including one-to-one sessions, parental training and school awareness.
The national charity has a hub in Carlisle and currently offers outreach child bereavement services in Workington two days a week. The grant will allow it to increase this to three days per week.
A representative of the charity said: “We believe that in order for families to thrive they must have strong support networks. Therefore, with the funding, we would also like to deliver an in-person training session for school staff to attend, helping them to understand a child’s grief behaviours, how to have challenging conversations and how to support children in their schools.
“We will run a further session for parents and carers to help build their confidence in supporting a grieving child.”
Trust secretary Alistair Grey said: “Volunteers work all year to improve the mechanical condition of the vehicles. The event allows them to showcase the vehicles to the local community, while also benefiting the economy.”
Ryan Christie, operations support manager at Shepley Engineers Limited, said: “The Shepley Group is delighted that our fund with the Cumbria Community Foundation is able to support even more local organisations.
“Both Child Bereavement UK and Workington Transport Heritage Trust align to our social value strategy which outlines our commitment to supporting small voluntary and community groups and organisations to enable them to continue or expand their work in advocacy, community voice, and service provision for local people in the areas we operate.”
Cumbria Community Foundation gives around £7 million in grants a year to local charities and voluntary groups through over 100 grant making funds set up by generous businesses, individuals and families.
