Volunteers are being sought to help lead £60 million of investment in Cumberland communities.
The money comes from the central government’s Pride in Place programme and independent chairs have now been appointed to lead boards of local representatives who will decide how it is spent.
Annalee Holliday is the chair of the neighbourhood board for Flimby, Ellenborough and Broughton Moor, and Florence Hanlon-Bone is the chair for the Kells, Mirehouse and Woodhouse board.
Pride in Place funding has also been awarded to the Raffles and Morton area, where a chair will be appointed soon.
Each has £20 million to spend over the next ten years on projects which build communities, create thriving places, and empower people to take control.
No specific type of volunteer is being sought for the boards and applications are encouraged by people from all backgrounds. Board members must be over 18, have a strong connection to the area, and be committed to positive change.
There are likely to be in-person meetings once a month, and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses will be paid.
Ms Holliday, who lives in Maryport, is head of grants practice and programmes at Cumbria Community Foundation, and a trustee with the Francis Scott Trust.
She said: “I’ve worked alongside communities to secure funding and support resident‑led decision‑making, and I’ve seen how powerful it can be when people are trusted to lead.
“Local people will set priorities, guide investment and shape what change looks like here. As Chair, I’m keen to ensure all voices are heard, so the programme genuinely reflects the whole community.
“This is a real opportunity to build confidence, strengthen connections and invest in things that will make a lasting difference, so residents can say. This is my community, I’m proud of where I live, and I helped make that happen.”
Ms Hanlon-Bone, who is associate director at Mace Consult, is from Whitehaven, and brings extensive experience in regeneration and place-based programmes.
She said: “I’m keen that Pride in Place delivers real, visible change for our community, not more of the same.
“This means working differently, with the community leading the conversation and ensuring decisions translate into clear, tangible improvements people can see and feel in the area.”
Markus Campbell-Savours MP for Penrith and Solway will sit on the board alongside Annalee Holliday, he welcomed her appointment, he said: “I could not have asked for a better chair to lead the board for Maryport’s Pride in Place programme.
“Annalee lives in Maryport and really understands the opportunities and challenges that transformational amounts of funding may bring. We are lucky to have someone with her skills and experience, and I am looking forward to working with her.
“This Labour government wants to see investment in our communities, but in a way that brings local people with us. I have no doubt that Annalee will help deliver that vision.”
Cllr Justin McDermott, Cumberland’s portfolio holder for public health and communities, added: “It is great to see the Pride in Place process moving forward.
“I’m delighted we have appointed two committed and enthusiastic Chairs and now local people have the opportunity to get involved.
“We want a real mix of people on the boards – it would be good to see people who don’t normally engage with this kind of project, or who feel their voice is rarely heard.”
Josh MacAlister, MP for Whitehaven and Workington, said: “Pride in Place is about trusting local people to lead the change they want to see in their own communities.
“This is a huge opportunity for south Whitehaven and for Flimby and Maryport – £40 million over the next decade to back local ideas, strengthen community pride, and deliver improvements people can actually see and feel.
“The success of this programme will depend on getting the right mix of voices around the table. That means not just the usual suspects, but people who know their area, care deeply about it, and want to help shape its future.
“You don’t need to have sat on a board before. You don’t need a long CV or specialist experience. You just need a strong connection to your community, a willingness to listen, and a determination to make things better.
“I’d really encourage anyone who cares about their area to put themselves forward.”
Pride in Place funding is awarded by the UK government, and Cumberland Council is the accountable body responsible for administering the process and delivering the investment, through the Neighbourhood Boards.
Each board must include their local MP, a ward councillor, and a varied and representative group of members.
The Pride in Place programme is aimed at areas of deprivation and weak social infrastructure, with populations of around 10,000.
It celebrates the power of people and partnerships, bringing together residents, MPs, councils, businesses and community organisations.
Each Neighbourhood Board will lead the community in producing a 10-year vision, and set out how it will be delivered. They will also see how further investment could be leveraged in to increase the impact.
The projects will begin to be delivered in Spring 2027.
