ACT Gazette Issue 18 Summer 2014 ACT Champions Community & Rural Issues

ACT Gazette Issue 18 Summer 2014 ACT champions community & rural issues

New ACT phone numbers We‟re getting a new phone system in July which means our contact numbers are changing. Please see the back page for details.

When this change takes place, if you ring our old number, you will hear a message giving you the new number to call. This will operate until September when our new numbers will be the only way to call us.

AGM - 17th September Our AGM this year will be held at Helsington and Brigsteer Village Hall, near Kendal, and will be combined with one of our regular Community Buildings Event. See pg 8 for more information. Improved sports facilities at Orton Market Hall following Community Health & Wellbeing grant

What’s inside this issue: Save the Date:

Communities Community Energy Conference Cumbria Action for Sustainability (CAfS) with ACT  Case Study: Northern Fells Group Saturday 13 September, 10am - 3pm  Community Led Planning in Cumbria Eden venue tbc  Case Study: Brough Multi-Use Games Area Contact CAfS to book a place  EDC Corporate Plan informed by Community Plans Tel: 01768 210 276, Community Buildings Email: [email protected]

 Rural Community Buildings Loan Fund Community Energy Event  Online village hall booking and invoicing system ACT with Cumbria Action for Sustainability (CAfS)  SPAB Maintenance Co-operatives Project Monday 15 September, 6.30pm - 9pm  DECC Renewable Heat Incentive Roadshow West Cumbria venue tbc

ACT News - Project Updates & Events Community Buildings Event  State of Rural Cumbria Report - Rural Health & ACT AGM  Community Health & Wellbeing update Wednesday 17 September, 10am - 4pm Helsington & Brigsteer Village Hall  Community Emergency Planning  Community Led Planning & Neighbourhood Planning Contact Dani at ACT to book a place Tel: 01768 840827 Other News - Events, Funding, Opportunities Email: [email protected]

Twitter Use this QR Code and

On the 9th October there will be a

Hi All, Community Resilience Conference. This event, organised by the Cumbria ACT’s phones go digital! Community Resilience Network, will give We are taking advantage of communities an opportunity to have their the improvements in Community Resilience Plan tested. The event broadband services to will also focus on how Community Resilience convert to a new digital Plans are developing across the County and phone system. From the clarify the support available for those wanting end of July, we will have new phone numbers, to draw up a plan. See the Keswick example operating through our IT system provided by on our website for more information on the Carlisle City Council. IT Support Services benefits of being prepared. have been providing great support to us with www.cumbriaaction.org.uk/WhatWeDo/ this. Calls will be redirected from our old CommunityEmergencyPlanning numbers until September, but please do look at the new numbers and use them from the ‘Wealth, Health, and Access’ should be key end of July. themes for rural areas in the national elections in 2015, according to ACRE. Local contacts, Some recent good news for ACT and research, and national statistics show the Copeland residents. Copeland Borough following priorities for rural communities: Council has a new two year Service Level Creating sustainable wealth Agreement, with ACT, for assistance with Ensuring a rural voice with the changes in Community Led Planning and community led local and national healthcare activity. Copeland‟s investment matches some resources we commit from our national Maintaining and improving access to contract with DEFRA. We look forward to services, both online and face to face increased activity with Copeland communities Now is a great time to use the evidence from Message from Lorrainne, CEO Lorrainne, Message from over the next couple of years. your community plan to have an informed discussion with your local MP and to make the The Charity Commission have recently case for what is the priority for your area. written to us welcoming our support with charity registrations, and promoting ACT, We look forward to seeing you at our AGM and others in the ACRE (Action with in September at Helsington and Brigsteer Communities in Rural England) network, as Village Hall. This year our AGM will be helpful organisations for those seeking charity combined with one of our regular Community registration. The Charity Commission will soon Buildings Events. Our Community buildings be consulting on how support organisations Support Service answers around fifteen like ACT can best assist groups wanting to enquiries from halls each month about register and what charges may be appropriate governance, helping people become and stay for that support. Please do take part in the involved in community activity, funding needs, consultation, We will tweet the link to the and sustainability. The countywide events are consultation when it is available. very popular so book your place now. More information here: www.cumbriaaction.org.uk/ You may have heard that Cumbria is in the NewsEvents/Events process of putting a World Heritage bid together. The Lake District Park Partnership Are you on Twitter? (see pg 16 ) is putting together the bid. ACT Follow us at @ACTCumbria. has supported the initial stages of the development. We are keen to hear from communities of their hopes and concerns about World Heritage status for the National Park area. Contact us on our new phone number Tel: 01228 - 817224 or by Email at Remember if you support us - we can [email protected]. better support you! Sign up now!

The Northern Fells Group has 15 Trustees, including 1 from each of the 7 Parish Councils. A number of the Trustees are also volunteers for the Group‟s services. The Group is managed day to day by its Group Co-ordinator and Company Secretary, 25 hours a week, and helped by a Fundraising Co-ordinator 15 hours a week.

Services, most supported by grants and local fundraising and donations, include:

Case Study: Flexible Minibus Service for people of any age without transport. 24 voluntary drivers are

Communities Northern Fells Group organised into a rota by the two employed Transport Co-ordinators who work 5 hours a week The Northern Fells Group is a community each, taking bookings and maintaining the charity operating in seven very rural minibus. The fare is 35p a mile.

parishes on the eastern and northern edge Lend a Hand Group for people who are ill or of Skiddaw and Blencathra: Boltons, disabled and their carers. 18 volunteers are Caldbeck, Castle Sowerby, Ireby with matched with clients by the employed Co-ordinator Uldale, Mungrisdale, Sebergham & Welton, who works 10 hours a week on a very flexible and Westward & Rosley. basis. The volunteers provide handyman services and neighbourly domestic/personal help, including Its aim is to ‘fill the gaps’ in community „home from hospital‟ support. No charge. services for the area which covers approximately 200 square miles, with a Benefits Awareness and help with forms given by population of around 3600. an employed trained Benefits Support Worker who works a flexible 5 hours a week. No charge.

Background Village Agents - friendly, local contact in each The Northern Fells Rural Project was one of HRH parish helping people of all ages find the The Prince of Wales‟ three Rural Revival Initiative information and help they need, from our Group Projects, running from 1999 to 2002. The aims and other voluntary and statutory organisations. were to: Employed for 8 hours a week each, working very flexible hours to meet the needs of clients. Identify unmet health and social need Map existing services Youth Activities - Holiday Activities (Easter and Summer) organised by a part time youth worker. Pilot ways to improve services by „filling gaps‟ Small charge for each activity. Evaluate the project Monthly Lunch Groups - nine groups hold The Project was hosted by Voluntary Action lunches in pubs, restaurants or village halls, Cumbria (now ACTion with Communities in organised by volunteers, with the help and subsidy Cumbria), with the Project Co-ordinator seconded of the businesses concerned. One is entirely from her work as Practice Nurse at Caldbeck volunteer run, including the cooking. Surgery. Weekly Drop In for coffee and cake at Millhouse A number of initiatives were set up in response to Village Hall. 2 volunteers each week bake and needs researched through the project and a report serve. (10 total, working on a rota). £1.50 charge published „Under the Stones’ - available at Monthly Drop In at Rosley, Westward and Bolton www.northernfellsgroup.org.uk. When the Project Low Houses. Volunteers bake and serve with help ended in 2002 the Northern Fells Group was of Village Agents. £1 charge formed to continue and develop its work. Bi-monthly Nail Cutting Clinics at Rosley and The Project Hesket Newmarket, in partnership with Age UK With the success of the Project and the clear need West Cumbria. £12 charge.

for its voluntary services, the Trustees of the newly Weekly Tai Chi class at Caldbeck. Organised by a formed Northern Fells Group Charitable Trust volunteer, with paid teacher. were able to attract numerous sources of grant funding - full list at www.northernfellsgroup.org.uk. ‘Men in Sheds’ twice weekly at Caldbeck. Local donations and fundraising also became a Shedmaster employed for 10 hrs / wk. £1 charge. valuable source of revenue. (cont. on page 4) 3

Medical Loan Service in partnership with British Red Cross, run by a Northern Fells volunteer. Community Led Planning Voluntary donations invited for the service – for the Red Cross who clean and maintain the in Cumbria equipment.

Other classes and events in response to need, organised by Village Agents.

What has been achieved? In almost 15 years since the original project started, the Group has gone from strength to strength. It has drawn on a wonderful community Communities spirit and channelled that spirit into reliable Newly completed Plans voluntary services for people in a sparsely

populated rural area. Allerdale It has reduced isolation for people by providing Bassenthwaite Parish Community Plan 2014 easily accessible activities and transport. The Barrow numerous lunch groups, drop ins, and other Askam & Ireleth Parish Plan 2014 activities all combine to reduce isolation and increase neighbourliness and wellbeing. Eden Ousby & Melmerby Community Plan 2014-2019 Last year the Benefits Service helped residents to claim £51,000 of low income and disability Barton Community Led Plan 2014-2017 benefits. Many communities are working on producing

new Community Led Plans and revising The Learning existing ones. Contact ACT to find out more. Value of paid and voluntary workers - it helps if paid workers are also local residents. They Want to see other completed Plans? usually have an added insight into local issues and are more likely to be trusted. These Community / Parish Plans and others are available to read on our website. Search Importance of listening - to those using the services, volunteers, other residents, and other by district to read all completed plans in groups involved in similar activities elsewhere. Cumbria. Also access our free guidance and resources: www.cumbriaaction.org.uk/ Importance of coordinating and matching what_we_do/community_plans services to the skills and availability of volunteers.

Co-operation with other agencies (voluntary and Funding statutory) learning from their experience and sharing our own. Thanks to funding from South Lakeland Need for rapid access to funds. Quick, easily District Council, Community Led Plan Groups accessible, small amounts of start up funding. in the district are now able to access grants of up to £1,500 to support the production of their Living with the uncertainty of future funding and plan. Please contact Julia Wilson at ACT to learning when to take risks, to develop a new service or go in a new direction. find out how.

Importance of record keeping - funders, donors, Eden District Council has also contributed to a and residents need to know how many people we grant fund for Community Led Planning in are helping, their needs, and what we are doing Eden District. Communities will be able to to help them. apply for up to £500.

Contact Details In other areas, ACT still has grants of up to For more information please contact: £500 available to help produce a Community Diane Barraclough, Northern Fells Group Led Plan. Contact us at ACT for more Coordinator on Tel: 016974 78094 or Email: information (see back page for details). [email protected] Website: www.northernfellsgroup.org.uk

As the project developed the decision was

taken not to provide a shelter, as originally planned, because the area is unlit, there were concerns about safety, and it was difficult to fund. Work started on site in April 2013 and will be completed in August 2014 when a pump track, for BMX bikes, will have been added.

One of the aims of the project is to make the

Case Study: recreation facilities attractive to a wide-range Communities Brough Multi-use Games Area of people including adults and younger children so that different age groups can mix Brough is a village in Eden District with a together. population of approximately 750 people. Situated on the A66 it’s on the eastern The total project cost for all the work has been edge of Cumbria and is relatively isolated. £44,000. The community has done a lot of fundraising and Brough Youth Committee A youth-led group in the community has have also received grants from a range of developed a Multi-use Games Area which local funders including those supporting crime is aimed at young people. It’s one of the reduction projects and the Community Health projects funded by the Community Health and Well-being Fund which contributed and Well-being Programme which ran from £10,000. Other Funding came from Eden June 2012 to May 2014 using funding Community Fund and the local County from Cumbria Clinical Commissioning Councillor‟s Members Fund. Group and Cumbria County Council Adult Social Care. The site has been adopted by Brough Parish Council who will take responsibility for it‟s Background maintenance.

The project started in early January 2011 What has been achieved? when a small group of young people in Brough, who felt there wasn‟t enough for them The project has given people of all ages, to do in the village, decided to survey other particularly young people, a wider range of youngsters on the school bus. They handed recreation and sports facilities on their out questionnaires and asked for views. doorstep. Previously they would have had to travel to Kirkby Stephen for similar facilities. The most popular idea was to have a shelter to meet up at on the recreation ground. It has increased opportunities for people to Brough Youth Committee was formed to look socialise together as well as to take exercise. at providing facilities and the committee People involved in fundraising and developing members were a mix of young people and the scheme are proud of their achievements adults. and feel they‟ve contributed to a worthwhile The Project project. Local organisations have appreciated the volunteers‟ work and have donated Although the project started with the intention money. of providing a youth shelter the young people were also interested in recreation and sports Brough is a self-sufficient community but the facilities. Plans were eventually expanded to success that the Youth Committee have had include refurbishing an existing tennis court in fundraising from grants has demonstrated and converting a second tennis court into a to other community groups that they can also Multi-use Games Area (MUGA) which would raise money from grants to bring additional include a games area and basketball hoops. funding into the area. This is sited next to the village football pitch. (cont. on page 5)

Using Community Led

Planning actions to inform

Corporate Plan

ACT encourages Local Authorities in Cumbria The site before work started to use the issues and actions raised through Twenty-five survey forms were filled in by Community Led Planning to inform their Communities users of the site on behalf of the Community priorities. Health and Well-being Programme. They were all under the age of 35 and, as a result of the When Community Plans are produced, ACT MUGA, 56% of respondents were getting adds all its actions into a countywide more exercise and 44% didn‟t have to travel Community Plan database which can then be as far to get social contact. used to produce reports showing the key areas of concern and activity for local The Learning communities.

Brough Youth Committee has learnt a lot Community Led Planning can help align Local about applying for grants and have stressed Authority priorities with those of the the importance of understanding the type of community. Knowing the most important and project grant makers want to fund, and highest priority issues a community has can ensuring your applications reflect this. Be help focus policy setting and budget prepared to talk to funders and find out what allocation. their priorities are. Eden District Council is one organisation The Youth Committee also made involving where Community Plans are used to inform young people a priority. The project was strategic priorities as the authority reviews its started by young people, they had Corporate Plan this year: representatives on the Committee and members of the Committee visited the local “Eden District Council will use the findings of youth club to share their plans, as they the Community Led Planning summary to help developed, with the young people there. It was inform the development of its new Corporate from one of these meetings that the Plan for 2015-2019. suggestion for the pump track emerged. “The Corporate Plan is the Council’s core Brough Youth Committee made sure the policy document and sets out the vision for the project got planning permission before district and a medium term list of priorities and embarking on fundraising and kept the actions. community informed through articles in the village newsletter and by reporting to the “In addition to widespread consultation with Parish Council. stakeholders, an exercise will be conducted by the Council to consider how priorities Finally, they were confident about the project established in Community Led Plans in Eden and believed they were doing the right thing can be incorporated and feed into the vision, for the community. They also made sure that corporate priorities and actions of its new any contractors did the best job possible to Corporate Plan.” avoid future maintenance problems. For more information about consultation for Contact Details Eden District Council‟s Corporate Plan contact Deborah Garnett, Senior Communities Officer For more information on Brough MUGA, on Tel: 01768 212268 or please contact Ron Baldwin on Tel: 017683 Email: [email protected] 42514 or Email: [email protected] 6

Rural Community Buildings Online Village Hall Booking Loan Fund & Invoicing System

The Rural Community Buildings Loan Fund is Online booking and invoicing is now very managed by ACRE (Action with Communities common and people often expect to be able to in Rural England) and overseen by Defra. The view availability and book directly through their Fund was started in the 1930s as one of the computer or mobile phone. of the principle sources of funding for building new village halls. A company called Hallmaster has developed an online booking management and invoicing The Fund provides loans to community groups system designed for village halls and to help with the maintenance, improvement community buildings which could save

and construction of community buildings in volunteer time and increase income. Community Buildings Community rural areas across England. The Fund offers loans towards: The system is integrated into the village hall website and will display up-to-date room Constructing a new community-owned building, including through the Community availability and take reservations online, which Right to Build powers; reduces the amount of calls received by the Booking Officer. Purchasing an existing building for use by the community, including through the There is an invoice and payment tracking Community Right to Bid powers; and process too which allows halls to send out invoices to customers and keep track of Extending, renovating or improving an payments. The system will also run simple existing community owned building. reports which will allow village hall committees Loans of up to £20,000 are available, the to see what their regular bookings are and average loan taken out by village hall which generate the most income for the hall. committees is in the region of £15,000. Hallmaster is offering a free 90 Day Trial and, The loan offers a flexible repayment system for those hall‟s who decide to subscribe to the that is simple to understand. Payments can be service, Hallmaster is also offering a discount made at a pace that fits your community‟s if you‟re an ACT member. fund-raising schedule. You will not be Helsington and Brigsteer Village Hall is the penalised for paying it off early. venue for ACT‟s next Community Buildings

Event and they use Hallmaster for their The loan should be for a freehold or leasehold bookings. As an example, the bookings page property, with a minimum of 21 years left on for their website is here: the agreement. Alternative arrangements can https://sites.google.com/site/brigsteervh/hall- be considered, provided security of tenure can bookings be clearly demonstrated.

For more information on Hallmaster visit ACRE manages around 40 live loans at any www.hallmaster.co.uk or Tel: 01929 509 846 one time and makes between 10 and 14 new loans per year. Last year loans were made to For more information about ACT‟s AGM and Warcop Village Hall and Wetheral Village next Community Buildings Event at Brigsteer Community Hall, in Cumbria. visit our website here:

www.cumbriaaction.org.uk/NewsEvents/ For more information about the loan fund Events.aspx contact ACT (see back page for details)

Guide to Funding for halls Community Buildings

Cumbria CVS have produced a „Guide to Event and AGM Funders for Village Hall and Community 17 September, 10am - 4pm Centre Projects in Cumbria‟. The guide is available on the ACT website here: ACT‟s next Community Buildings Event will be www.cumbriaaction.org.uk/WhatWeDo/ held at Helsington and Brigsteer Village Hall CommunityBuildings near Kendal, and will also include our Annual General Meeting. It provides groups involved with village halls and community buildings with a list of funders The event will look at how to encourage more for a variety projects, including a short people to get involved with your hall; energy summary and contact details for each funder. efficiency and renewable energy options; and the importance of community buildings. There Whilst the list is not exhaustive, it has many will also be the usual question and answer Community Buildings Community funding sources currently available. For a session about governance and incorporation. more comprehensive list of funders tailored to your specific project, contact Cumbria CVS To book a place please contact Dani Hudson Development Team on Tel: 01768 800350 or Tel: 01768 869511 or Email: Email: [email protected] [email protected]

Murton Parish Institute Tables Wanted Cumbria’s first village hall Charitable Ullock Village Hall are looking Incorporated Organisation (CIO) for up to 10 small round coffee The original Murton Parish Institute, built in tables / café style stacking 1923, burnt down in the 1970s and replaced tables.

with “a converted chicken shed!” has secured If you think you may be able to help please £500,000 from the Big Lottery Building contact Margaret or Ray Perry on Tel: 01946 Communities Fund to build a new hall. 862300 or Email: [email protected]

Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE) advises hall committees to consider Chairs and Piano Available incorporation if they undertake major buildings works, due to the potential for problems and Wetheral Village hall have 50 dark green increased costs leaving the hall and individual stacking chairs and a „Rogers Eungblut‟ trustees open to legal action. overstrung piano surplus to requirements and free to a good home. On advice from ACT and Wingspan Consulting, the Institute Committee decided to Items must be collected. Please contact Paul re-constitute the charity in the form of a Diggle for more details on Tel: 01228 561176 Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), or Email: [email protected]. which limits the liability for trustees. Do you have an item for sale or to rent? An online application to the Charity Are you looking to buy / rent something for Commission to register the Murton Parish your hall? Institute CIO was simple, quick, free, and took only 4 weeks to receive registration. To ease Contact ACT on Tel: 01768 840827 or the process, the committee used the model Email: [email protected] to advertise CIO constitution for village halls, produced by here in the ACT Gazette. ACRE (available from ACT). 8

Society for the Protection of Interested in generating heat Ancient Buildings Maintenance and income for your hall? Co-operatives Project Do you have plans to upgrade your hall‟s All places of worship in Cumbria have the heating system? Have you thought about opportunity for free training and support for renewable heat options such as Air or Ground volunteers involved with maintaining their Source Heat Pumps? Then you‟ll want to buildings through a new SPAB (Society for the know more about the government‟s Non- Protection of Ancient Buildings) HLF funded Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). „Maintenance Co-operatives Project‟. The RHI pays those that generate and use The project aims to help those involved with renewable energy to heat their buildings,

Community Buildings Community the care of places of worship through free supporting the uptake of renewable heating training and support and by creating a systems and thereby reducing greenhouse network of volunteers who can effectively gas emissions. monitor or carry out preventative maintenance at their local places of worship to help prevent The RHI is the world‟s first long-term financial costly repairs. support programme for renewable heat. With the launch of the domestic RHI scheme in It offers access to professional advice, online Spring this year and recent changes to the resources and a network of volunteers to non-domestic scheme, every building in Great share resources, skills and ideas with. The Britain will be able to gain the benefits of aim is to help people to recognise potential renewable heat. maintenance problems, understand inspections and reports, tackle common The non-domestic RHI is available to maintenance tasks if appropriate and businesses, public sector organisations and recognise when to call in expert help. charities. The domestic RHI is available to homeowners, self-builders and private Cumbria is one of only 5 regions in the UK landlords. where this ecumenical project is being run. 3 Taster Training days are being planned in the DECC RHI Roadshow east, west and south of the county. The first is on Tuesday 15 July, 9.30am to 3.30pm in 9 July 2014 at Cumbria Rural Enterprise Sedbergh which will include an introduction to Agency (CREA), near Penrith the project, maintenance surveys, developing 9am - 12noon maintenance plans, energy saving and energy efficiency. This event will help you find out more about the Renewable Heat Incentive including how To find out more or book onto the training, to apply, how it works in practice, and how contact Sue Manson, Cumbrian SPAB Project your business can benefit from using the RHI. Officer on Tel: 07776 197143 or Email: [email protected]. You can also book For more information or to book a place at the onto the training or sign up to receive the event, visit Cumbria Action for Sustainability‟s project's quarterly email bulletin at website here: www.cafs.org.uk/events/rhi- www.spabmcp.org.uk. roadshow-northern-england

The State of Rural Cumbria In rural Cumbria 19.7% of the population -

53,355 people, suffered from a LLI according ACT launched a report in 2013, using census to Census figures in 2011. and other data, to show the „State of Rural Cumbria‟ under the following headings: A key issue for the 52% of Cumbria‟s population who live in rural areas is about An ageing population access to health care services. There are Too few young people many changes ahead in the delivery of these Disadvantage services, some of which may bring services ACT News ACT Health closer to home, but many of which will centralise delivery to maintain and improve Rural living quality and reduce costs. We are focussing on one of these headings in Travel time by public transport to hospital is each edition of the ACT Gazette. In this measured nationally. Cumbria information is edition we‟re looking at: Health shown here: The World Health Organisation defines Health as - „A state of mental and physical well being and not an absence of disease and disability’. The health of rural Cumbria is generally considered to be good, with many statistical measures showing that people are generally satisfied with the place they live and have a longer, healthier life expectancy than their urban counterparts.

The key issues for the County as detailed in the Health and Well Being Strategy are: Inequalities of health outcomes for different geographic communities across the County. Providing the best start and appropriate The two case study communities featured in services for children and young people. this Gazette: the parish of Brough in Eden, and the Northern Fells Group (seven parishes Supporting mental health and well-being in Eden and Allerdale), have positively

Addressing service needs for an ageing addressed health and well being issues in a population. variety of ways.

Brough, with a population of 750 people, is nearly two hours by public transport to a hospital. The average travel time in Cumbria is 38 minutes. Their GP surgery is in the village.

Brough has 50% more than the national average of terraced housing at 48.6%. 6.4% of houses do not have central heating against a national average of 2.7% and 15.4% of households are considered to be in fuel poverty, with a national average of 10.9%. Brough residents have a higher than average car ownership with 8% of households having three cars. Brough is 50 minutes by public transport from the nearest supermarket, town Information on people with a limiting long term and employment centre. illness (LLI) is used to measure the extent of the challenge across the County. 10

The State of Rural Cumbria (cont.)

Local young people have taken action to encourage physical activity amongst their higher than average population of under 16 Community Health & Well-being year olds and to encourage social interaction Programme Feedback across the age ranges in the community. Their activity can be seen as part of a preventative The two year Community Health and Well- health care approach and is exemplary for being Programme has drawn to a close with

ACT News ACT being led by young people. ACT completing an evaluation report on the projects supported by the Programme. It was The Northern Fells area has a population of funded by Cumbria County Council Adult approx 3,600 across 200 square miles. The Social Care and Cumbria Clinical travel times, by public transport, to a hospital Commissioning Group and covered Eden are from just under an hour in five of the District and the Keswick Area. parishes to two hours in Castle Sowerby. The average road distance to the doctors surgery Launched in July 2012 the Programme aimed is 7km and ranges from 1.7km in Caldbeck to for the following outcomes: 11.1km in Mungrisdale. The area has a higher Increased community participation and than average older population and connection correspondingly lower than average number of Increased skills and understanding for health under 16 year olds, in keeping with much of and well-being and resilience rural Cumbria. The area has a 13.8% average of households with three cars against a More community-led health and well-being national average of 5.5%.The area also has a projects slightly lower than national average of people Reduced reliance on core services and living with a long term illness. traditional providers Reduced isolation and need to travel The Northern Fells project is an excellent example of locally led health and well-being Direct provision of outreach health services activity that is preventative as well as such as health checks and vaccinations mitigating. The long term nature of the project along with the Group‟s ability to bring in The programme consisted of two elements: significant small grants on a regular basis has capacity building with community groups reduced isolation and made living in this provided by ACT, and management of a sparse rural area easier for the population. £300,000 grant programme by Cumbria Their benefits service, delivered by a trusted Community Foundation.

local person, has delivered £51,000 of A total of 34 projects were funded and the additional income to the community in one evaluation found that the Programme had year. The range of services and their local helped to: nature has led to significant benefits for local people and the opportunity to influence what Reduce isolation local people need and want. Reduce reliance on traditional providers Support projects which were sustainable and The State of Rural Cumbria Report and the likely to continue in the future Parish Profiles are produced to provide policy makers and communities with the information One of the projects supported, the Brough to consider local issues in their community and MUGA (Multi Use Games Area) is featured on decide how to address them. Communities pages 5 and 6 as a case study. often carry out these initiatives with minimum support. If these examples have encouraged you to consider the needs of people in your community then please visit the ACT website to explore the detailed information in your Parish Profile, and for more examples of

communities supporting each other. 11

Community Emergency Community Led Planning & Planning Neighbourhood Planning

As part of a wider „Sustain Eden‟ programme, Workshop

ACT is working with communities in Eden to ACT recently held a Community Led Planning raise awareness of and support Community and Neighbourhood Planning workshop at ACT News ACT Emergency Planning, to help them prepare Bolton Memorial Hall in partnership with Eden for, respond to, and recover from an District Council. 20 people attended the emergency. workshop, representing 9 communities, Eden District Council, and Carlisle City Council. Although extreme weather conditions, such as flooding and heavy snow, are the most The workshop looked at the similarities and common emergencies which we face, there differences between the 2 processes and the are a range of other emergencies that could importance of community consultation in both. occur within a community such as gas leaks, fires, power outages, and major traffic Many felt there is still a lot of confusion about incidents. the different processes and what they do:

A plan helps people prepare for an Community Led Planning emergency; organises neighbourly help during Sets out a vision for the future based on the incident; makes appropriate links to local consultation, with actions for how this emergency services and local authorities; and can be achieved. assists with recovery after the event. Covers anything the community feels is The communities of: Crosby Ravensworth, important to them, from extra litter bins, Glenridding, Hartley, Patterdale, and Penrith community notice boards and websites, to have been prioritised for support as part of the affordable housing and transport. project, based on the potential risk of flash Produces an action plan, owned and flooding, identified by the Environment delivered by the community, with support as Agency. However, ACT is also able to work appropriate from local authorities and other with a limited number of other communities. agencies.

If your community is interested in Emergency Neighbourhood Planning Planning or for more information contact Focuses solely on spatial planning issues i.e. Hellen Aitken at ACT on Tel: 01768 869520 or the use of land and buildings. Email: [email protected] Is led by the community but requires expert

ACT‟s ten step Community Emergency professional advice and support (funding is Planning guide and video case study about available for this). Community Emergency Planning in Keswick Is a statutory process involving external are also available here: examination and assessment. www.cumbriaaction.org.uk/WhatWeDo/ Produces either a „Neighbourhood Plan‟ to CommunityEmergencyPlanning sit alongside existing planning policy with the local planning authority; a „Neighbourhood Sustain Eden is a three year programme funded Development Order‟ or ‟Community Right to by the Big Lottery’s Communities Living Build Order‟ which grant planning permission Sustainably Fund and managed by Cumbria Action locally without the need to submit for Sustainability (CAfS). More information here: applications to the local planning authority. www.cafs.org.uk/projects/sustaineden/ For more information contact ACT (see back page for details).

North East and Cumbria Fund County Council Community Grants Whether you are a charity looking to set up an enterprise arm, a voluntary organisation, The County Council‟s Area Support Teams

OtherNews co-operative, Community Interest Company, manage a range of grant funds that are used or a business with a social mission, Key Fund to invest in communities to bring about a offers speedy finance to help start-ups or positive and lasting change for the benefit of organisations seeking to expand. the whole community.

Known for its flexible approach and for Applications for funding are welcomed from working closely with its clients, it has a long- voluntary and not for profit groups who are standing reputation for helping establish and involved in community projects or initiatives. successfully grow enterprises in every sector. Funded through the County Council‟s Six Recent success stories in Cumbria include a Local Committees, grant funding is split into small, artist-led organisation that supports three funds: local artists - Bang Your Drum, to major community-run projects, such as the Energy Community Grants Prospects Co-operative Limited which delivers Small grants of usually around £1,000 to co-operatively owned wind farms. £1,500 or less to contribute towards the set up of new community initiatives or the The enterprise is run by the successful purchase of new equipment or refurbishment practitioners at E4A who established the costs for existing groups. Baywind Energy Co-op wind farm at Harlock Hill in Cumbria. Since 2002, E4A has 0 – 19 Youth Grants delivered a further nine community wind farm To support projects and initiatives that have and solar projects. a child or youth focus.

Key Fund is keen to hear from start-ups or Local Member Scheme Grants established organisations in the region with a Funding at the discretion of your local county positive environmental, community or social councillor for community based initiatives or aim. improvement works within the councillor‟s As a Social Enterprise itself, all of Key Fund‟s electoral division.

returns are reinvested back into society. Each county councillor has £10,000 to award Key Fund has helped over 2,100 on one or a number of projects. If you have organisations and invested over £30m in the ideas about how your county councillor should social economy. spend their LMS funding please get in touch.

With an unrivalled reputation for strong For further information about funding for business values balanced with clear social community groups contact your local Area aims, Key Fund is regarded as a lender of first Support Team. resort helping those turned down by traditional lenders. Contact details, application forms and our

Contact Julie Wake on Tel: 07975 655218, or funding criteria are available at: Email: [email protected] for an www.cumbria.gov.uk/yourcommunitysupport/ informal chat, visit: www.thekeyfund.co.uk, or communitygrants call the general office on Tel: 0845 1401400

Eden Community Fund Cumbria Waste Management The Eden Community Fund has a total of Environment Trust (CWMET) £110,000 available in 2014-2015 for projects

OtherNews Landfill Communities Fund and events capable of delivering wide community benefit in Eden. CWMET provides grant assistance to Parish

Councils, local community groups and Who can apply? organisations for environmental and Community and voluntary groups, Parish and community projects. Town Councils, charities and social enterprises in Eden district can apply. Eligible CWMET awarded £317,100 to 23 projects groups and organisations must have their own within Eden, Carlisle and Allerdale during constitution (unless a Parish Council) and 2013/14.Since starting in 1999 we have bank account with at least two signatories. awarded £6.85 million to community projects in Cumbria. What can be funded? Only capital funding is available. Grants are Who can apply? available for community projects and events To be eligible for a Landfill Communities Fund that benefit the residents of communities in Grant, applications must come from Eden. Applicants must demonstrate how their community groups or organisations, which are project or event will deliver wide benefit, non-profit distributing bodies. contributing to the sustainability, vitality and wellbeing of Eden‟s communities. What can be funded? The projects must be in a 10 miles radius of Applications are invited under the following: Hespin Wood in Carlisle or Flusco Pike in 1) Community (outdoor) Amenities Eden. Consideration will be given if a project 2) Community Buildings is within 10-15 miles of these to sites subject 3) Community Enterprise to other criteria. Please contact the office to 4) Supporting Communities check eligibility. 5) Community Events How much can be applied for? How much can be applied for? The normal maximum grant that can be Categories 1-4 can apply for a minimum of applied for is £15,000 covering up to 80% of £500, maximum £10,000. The Community the costs. The Trustees will consider larger Events minimum grant is £200, maximum requests for important environmental projects. £5,000. Projects are expected to complete within one year of issue of the grant approval letter Awards towards the maximum levels will be the exception and projects and events will 2014/15 Application Deadlines: need to demonstrate significant community 2 September 2014 (decision November 2014) need and match funding. 20% match funding 6 January 2015 (decision March 2015) is required for all categories, and up to 10% can be in-kind. For more information please contact Helen Squires, CWMET Grant Manager on Next Application Deadline: Tel: 01228 822106 (Tues - Thur, 10.30 - 4.30) 3 October 2014 or Email: [email protected] Web: www.cwmet.org.uk For more information and application forms go to: www.eden.gov.uk/edencommunityfund 14

New award winning local Do you like meeting people and service helps cut building relationships? home energy bills

Want to be a befriender? It's now easier than ever for Cumbrian householders to get onto a cheaper tariff for

OtherNews Our Volunteer Project provides a befriending gas and electricity. Opt4 Community Energy service to carers of people with physical has launched a new telephone helpline to disabilities, learning disabilities, mental ill guide residents through the process of health, children with disabilities or frail family switching energy providers. members. A befriender is a volunteer who devotes Opt4 take householders through the entire some of their time with a carer on a one to process of energy price comparison and one basis. Either in the carer‟s own home or switching suppliers from their friendly helpline, out and about in the community. based in Penrith, giving everyone as much You‟ll receive full induction training and support and information as they need. The support as well as further sessions personalised service means Opt 4 are able to throughout the year and a member of staff help the most vulnerable people to switch.

available to meet up and discuss how things Tel: 01768 593110 (office hours), or switch are going with your volunteering. via the Website: www.opt-4.org

We are looking for volunteers who can offer This is all thanks to a new partnership with 1-2 hours a week, any day of the week. uSwitch, giving Opt4 access to the full range Following an informal discussion, applicants of tariffs they offer, while giving householders will need to fill in an application form, and give all the help they need. contact details of 2 people whom we can ask for references. There will also be a formal Opt4 is a charitable not-for-profit company that interview. was set up in Penrith in early 2013 to tackle the high rate of fuel poverty in Eden, and the The minimum age for volunteers for this role is wider county of Cumbria, by helping 16. Out of pocket expenses will be householders to reduce their energy usage reimbursed. For this role you will be required and cut their energy bills. to undertake a DBS check. Currently funded by the Big Lottery Fund, as Crossroads Care Cumbria is a local charity part of the Sustain Eden Project, managed by which supports carers of all ages, who care for Cumbria Action for Sustainability (CAfS), Opt4 people with any disability or long term illness aims to become self funding, generating including: disabled children, adults with income from the small donations received physical or learning disabilities, mental illness, from the energy companies each time people who are frail or have memory problems someone switches. and those at the end of life.

The help provided includes specialist care for Opt4 Community Energy Award Event adults and disabled children in the home, Friday 11th July, 12.00 noon - 1.30pm carer breaks, social groups for people with at Penrith Town Hall care needs, services for young and sibling carers, befriending and peer support. Join Opt4 Community Energy as they celebrate winning a „Community Action Award‟ For more information please contact: presented by National Energy Action (NEA) Elaine or Susan on Tel: 01900 814854 and British Gas. Visit www.opt-4.org for more Email: [email protected] information about the event. Web: www.cumbriacrossroads.org.uk 15

For further information on Valley Planning

please contact Catherine Johnson on: [email protected]

Further information on the World Heritage inscription process is available online at: www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/caringfor/projects/whs World Heritage Status for the Lake District and how * Bassenthwaite and Borrowdale, Buttermere, this links with Valley Planning Coniston, Duddon, Ennerdale, Eskdale, OtherNews Grasmere (Rydal, Ambleside), Haweswater, The Lake District National Park Partnership is Langdale, Thirlmere, Ullswater, Wasdale, and working to secure World Heritage Status Windermere (WHS) for the Lake District National Park. This recognises the distinct and culturally important components of the area, ranging from landscape and buildings, to traditions

and communities.

It‟s these special qualities, in a place of Lake District celebrated social and cultural heritage, that Communities Fund already put it firmly on the map of global importance. The Lake District National Park Authority are keen to promote the availability of this fund It is important to show how the range of dedicated to projects which are led by, or of partners involved in the Park‟s management, benefit to, the resident communities of the and the communities who live in it, identify Lake District. and agree what matters most, and then work towards a shared set of outcomes. Grants of between £500 and £5000 are available for a variety of community projects, Doing this work at a local scale makes sense which contribute to the sustainability or well- and the intention is to use a Valley Planning being of resident communities, without approach based on the 13 valleys* identified compromising what‟s special about the by Wordsworth in his Guide the Lakes (1810). National Park.

This approach has been supported by the UK So far 52 projects to the tune of nearly Government and UNESCO (United Nations £140,000 have been supported since 2012, Educational, Scientific and Cultural including initiatives as diverse as a village Organisation) as part of the Lake District‟s snowplough and gritter; cinema clubs; food World Heritage nomination. growing; and a BMX track.

ACT has assisted with a pilot Valley Plan in Administered by the Lake District National Ullswater, working closely with the community. Park Authority, through their five Park In 2014 the Lake District National Park Management Rangers, it comprises an easy Authority will be working in the Grasmere electronic grant application (3 pages). Grants valley (including Rydal, Ambleside) to produce decisions are then made on a monthly basis. a plan, and a programme for working with the other 11 valleys in the future. Applications must also be able to evidence a community need, through a Community Led Valley Planning is initiated and led by Plan or similar. agencies, working with the local community. Community / Parish Plans, produced as a To find out more, including details of result of a Community Led Planning process, previously funded projects visit: are vital to inform Valley Pans, providing www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/caringfor/ essential local information. localcommunities/communitiesfund

Connecting Cumbria Rural Development Programme rolls out high speed fibre for England - Funding throughout the county

Consultation The Connecting Cumbria Project which is

OtherNews Over the last 5 years the Solway, Border and bringing high speed fibre broadband to homes Eden and Cumbria Fells and Dales Local and businesses to Cumbria has made great Action Groups (LAGs) have delivered funding progress having delivered fibre broadband to under the Rural Development Programme for over 35,000 properties over 20 exchanges via England with a total grant budget of £15 180 street side cabinets in the following million. Grants have been awarded to farms, exchange areas; Bardsea, Barrow-in-Furness, foresters, small businesses and rural Brampton, Carlisle, Cleator Moor, communities across the LAG area. Cockermouth, Dalston, Dalton-in Furness,Egremont, Harrington, Lazonby, Combined with match-funding the Maryport, Millom, Penrith, Rockcliffe, programmes have facilitated a total Ulverston, Walney, Whitehaven, Windermere investment of more than £30 million. This and Workington. investment has supported the creation of 321 jobs and safeguarded 112. It has also Work continues throughout the county in delivered 15,000 training days to 12,627 areas such as Allonby, Ambleside, Arnside, beneficiaries. Burgh By Sands, Hackthorpe, Hayton, Keswick, Wetheral, Milnthorpe and Grange- In 2014 the Cumbrian LAGS are preparing Over-Sands where fibre broadband will be bids for more funding starting in 2015. The available in the coming months. next LEADER programmes (2014 - 2020) have the potential to create many During the phased rollout of Fibre Broadband opportunities and we want as many people as in Cumbria we will be continually updating the possible to contribute their ideas and ask Exchange Map on our Connecting Cumbria questions. This will assist us in setting website www.connectingcumbria.org.uk to let priorities and developing action plans. you know when fibre broadband is expected in your exchange area. You can find when We would like to hear from you if you would you area will be fibre enabled by hovering like to contribute to our consultation or have a over your exchange area in the map. project idea that you would like to discuss. We are keeping a list of prospective projects so By the end of 2015, Connecting Cumbria will we can contact you when funding becomes have helped to extend fibre broadband access available in 2015. to 93 per cent of county properties - with the remaining premises unable to benefit from If you would like to be added to this list and fibre having access to at least 2Mbps - making receive further news of funding opportunities Cumbria one of the best connected places in please email the Solway, Border and Eden Europe, and helping to break down Britain's office on: [email protected] or the digital divide between rural and urban areas. Cumbria Fells and Dales office on: [email protected] To find out more about the project and when it is coming to your area visit: Further information available here: www.connectingcumbria.org.uk www.sbeleader.org.uk www.fellsanddales.org.uk

Barrow, Copeland, South Lakeland contact: We want your news and views! Julia Wilson - Development Manager

Do you want to celebrate your community‟s

success? Tel: 01768 869524 changing to 01228 81 7593 Email: [email protected] Could your story be a useful case study to help others with similar projects? Allerdale, Carlisle, Eden contact:

Would you like to advertise in the ACT Gazette? Hellen Aitken - Development Officer

If so, we would like to hear from you. Tel: 01768 869520 changing to 01228 817592 Email: [email protected]

This newsletter, and previous editions can be If you would like to speak to Lorrainne Smyth, downloaded from the ACT website: ACT Chief Executive, or have an urgent

01768 840827 01768 enquiry please contact ACT reception on:

www.cumbriaaction.org.uk Tel: 01768 840827 changing to 01228 81 7224

Email: [email protected]

©ACT 2014. This publication may be reproduced free of charge in any format or medium provided that it is reproduced accurately and not used in a misleading context. The material must be acknowledged as ACTion with Communities in Cumbria copyright and the title of the publication specified. [email protected] ACTion with Communities in Cumbria, The Old Stables, Redhills, Penrith, Cumbria CA11 0DT T: 01768 840827 | www.cumbriaaction.org.uk | [email protected] | Follow us @ACTCumbria Registered in England as Voluntary Action Cumbria | Charity Registration Number 1080875 | Company Number 3957858

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