Community groups throughout the county have received more than £300,000-worth of vital funding thanks to the Cumbria Community Foundation.

The group was set up to support organisations and charities across Cumbria, and has offered lifelines to hundreds of struggling groups during the pandemic.

And it's not stopping yet, awarding a further £393,500 to a total of 58 teams in need of a little extra support, ensuring a wide range of projects, such as improving sports facilities, additional youth provisions and supporting those at risk of homelessness, continue to receive funding.

Copeland Age and Advice Service (CAAS) has received a huge £30,000 from the foundation over the past three years, and the team couldn't be more thankful for the continued support.

Centre Manager, Becky Goddard said: “This vital funding will enable us to continue our current service provision while also enabling us to develop and expand the support we offer to our vulnerable client base, including the provision of our Dementia Support service and the set up and development of our low level aids and equipment sales.

“We are very excited about what the future holds for CAAS and with support of our funders, we will ensure that CAAS goes from strength to strength.”

A total of 17 people have also received financial support towards educational and training-related costs, including support to one young person’s participation of the World Challenge Expedition in Borneo.

The money came from funds administered by Cumbria Community Foundation, including those set up by Cumberland Building Society, Shepley Group and Thomas Graham & Sons Ltd.

Looking out for those aged between 16-25 at risk of homelessness, charity Carlisle Key has also been given a helping hand by the foundation, in conjunction with the Violet Laidlaw Trust Fund and Elizabeth Fell Memorial Trust Fund, receiving £4,000 to support its drop-in and one-to-one services.

The group runs a drop-in centre on Fisher Street, which has remained open daily during the pandemic, and has also recently opened an 11-bed supported accommodation unit which is already nearing full occupation.

“We provide assistance and support within our drop in service and our newly opened Supported Housing Accommodation," Iain Mcnee, project and outreach worker, said.

"Our goal is to inspire young people with the knowledge and confidence to live independently and make a positive contribution to our local community and beyond.”

Others benefitting from the grant include Heron Corn Mill in Beetham, near Kendal, which received £4,963 from the Pappagallino Fund to support its educational and arts resources.

Kent Estuary Youth (KEY) works with young people in Arnside, Levens and Milnthorpe, and also received £3,000 from the Cumbria Young People’s Fund to sustain and extend the range of youth work on offer.

Ellen Clements, grants and donor services officer at Cumbria Community Foundation, said: “There are many worthy organisations around the county that hold communities together and continue to support the needs of local people.

"We are ever grateful to the generosity of our fundholders to enable us to support these vital services, especially during times when local services are under pressure and struggling to meet local needs.”

For more details or to apply for a grant, visit www.cumbriafoundation.org, or call a member of the grants team on 01900 825760.