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Project to empower voices of those with lived ​experience of poverty

Barrow-full of Inspiration

People in the Lead in Barrow and South Lakes

Cancer project transfers to iCan / Supporting staff ​Mental Health

Health & Care – representing our sector in a ​changing environment

Increasing capacity and linkage between the health ​and voluntary sector

Stepping Forward to support mental health

Looking back on a(nother!) busy year at Cumbria ​CVS / Piloting Community Research

Thanks to our key funders and partners

Case study: Tricky Trustee troubles solved for ​Seascale Recreational Association

Case Study: Helping Going For Old go for first ​funding

Treasurer’s Report

Thanks from departing Lord Lieutenant

Cumbria CVS staff, Cancer Support Volunteers, ​Cumbria CVS Trustees, Cumbria CVS Volunteers

Contact information

Our Mission

Increased Impact, Influence and Investment in and from Cumbria CVS and the Third sector.

Our Vision

A strong voluntary sector working collectively across Cumbria for the greater good.

Our Values

Leadership

Leading by example – encouraging creativity, innovation and best practice and being passionate about what we do.

Excellence

Aiming for and promoting excellence in everything we do.

Equity

Recognising, valuing and being accessible to the Cumbrian community and all its diversity.

Integrity

Treating ourselves and others with respect and dignity, being honest, transparent and accountable to all our stakeholders.

Voluntarism

Championing the principle of not-for-profit contributions to life in Cumbria.

Our Strategic Priorities

The colours used below are repeated throughout this Annual Review, with the border around each article signifying the Strategic Priority it relates to.

Make Cumbria a better place to live by seeking positive system change.

Identify and meet identified delivery gaps to add value and contribute positively ​to the local infrastructure through consistent “good enough” services which ​achieve planned outcomes, in partnership with others.

Ensure that Cumbria CVS is an effective, sustainable, well-resourced, and ​productive organisation with engaged and happy colleagues.

Support our members to respond to changes in environment, demands and ​aspirations and to achieve their charitable aims by developing and connecting ​them, helping to maximise their potential and enable their voice to be heard.

Looking back over the year ​2022-23 it is striking how much ​that we changed to meet the ​Covid challenges has stayed as ​part of our lives.

We now routinely accept that ​many meetings continue to be ​virtual rather than face to face ​and in the context of Cumbria ​CVS and our member ​organisations scattered across ​Cumbria, with all it’s travel ​challenges, that makes such ​eminently good sense.

We no longer expect people ​routinely to be in their places ​of work throughout the ​working week but readily ​accept a mixed pattern ​including regular working from ​home. Yet despite these now ​normal aspects of working life I ​see the same dedication to ​providing our services on the ​part of our Trustees, staff and ​Volunteers as was evident ​before.

One aspect of working in the ​voluntary sector in Cumbria ​that has not changed however ​is the constant challenge of ​maintaining the necessary ​funding to continue delivering ​the services often so ​desperately needed - although ​in this last year it seems as if ​that challenge not only remains ​but is becoming increasingly ​difficult. Sadly looking forward ​that problem if anything is ​likely to increase.

That said I want to ​acknowledge the continuing ​dedication of our Trustees, ​Staff and Volunteers in ​ensuring that Cumbria CVS ​delivers the best possible ​service to our member ​organisations and contributes ​hugely to the success of so ​many Third Sector ​organisations across our ​County and thank them for ​that.

“One aspect of working in the ​voluntary sector in Cumbria ​that has not changed however ​is the constant challenge of ​maintaining the necessary ​funding to continue delivering ​the services often so ​desperately needed.”

During the year we appointed a ​number of new Trustees - ​Karen Dutton, Victoria ​Vyalikova, Zara Myers, Joanne ​Bowmer and Charles Watt as ​Treasurer. However, we also ​lost Robin Cope, Joanna ​Coleman, Lee Martin-White, ​Colin Ranshaw, our Deputy ​Chair, and Matthew Scott, our ​Treasurer, who had all given ​great service in their time with ​us. Alan Culley will be standing ​down this year and deserves ​our thanks for his time with us, ​not least when he stepped up ​to be interim Treasurer.

More recently we have co-​opted Sonny Smith and Jo ​Crozier to the Board, whilst ​Linda Vance and Jon Rush were ​appointed as Trustees.

We appointed Sheila Gregory ​as my Deputy Chair and I am ​delighted that she has agreed ​to take over the role of Chair ​from me when I retire at the ​2023 AGM and I have no doubt ​she will be given the same ​excellent support by other ​Trustees and staff as I have ​received.

I have been a Trustee since ​2017 and Chair since 2019 and ​it has been a pleasure and ​honour to work with such a ​wonderful group of people and ​I wish them and CVS all the ​best for the future.

Mike Taylor

CBE MStJ DL (Ret’d)

MA LLB FCIM FCIPD

CEO's Report

Last year, I finished my report ​focussing on resilience with ​reference to “the inevitable ​challenges about to arrive”. Little ​did we know..!

The aftermath of the pandemic on ​those who lost loved ones, have ​“long covid” - or need to shield ​from infection - continues.

Continued social isolation, “lost” ​years of education for children ​and young people, increases in ​NHS waiting lists and an ​overloaded care system remain.

Add to this some of the highest ​inflation levels in thirty years, a ​UK government debacle, war in ​Ukraine and the impact on food ​and energy prices worldwide, the ​resultant “cost of living” crisis – ​and “challenges” starts to sound ​like the understatement of the ​century.

Implications for Cumbria’s ​Voluntary, Community, Faith and ​Social Enterprise Sector have ​been significant: in the increased ​demand for services - as well as ​increased bills and wages that ​invariably struggle to match ​inflation. The introduction of ​“shadow” councils - preparing for ​the establishment of two new ​local authorities – combined with ​national introduction of ​“Integrated Care Systems” in ​health and social care – added to ​the complexity.

I am immensely proud that ​Cumbria CVS has once again risen ​to these challenges with hard ​work, flexibility and innovation - ​and the enthusiastic support of ​our members and partners. Much ​of our work continues to be ​influenced by requests and ​suggestions from members at ​forums and online sessions we ​have held, as well as from projects ​around the county.

We launched several new projects ​in partnership: an innovative ​“Step Forward into Employment” ​programme in North Cumbria, ​encouraging people with ​experience of significantly poor ​mental health to volunteer, as a ​stepping-stone towards achieving ​their goals.

Our “Poverty Truth Commission” ​programme in South Lakeland ​also launched, working with ​“community commissioners” with ​lived experience of the many ​different forms of poverty and ​preparing them to engage with ​public and private sector ​agencies.

We took our first real forays into ​acting on our commitment to a ​“Zero Carbon Cumbria” – with ​several team members reaching ​“Certified Carbon Literate” status ​from Cumbria Action for ​Sustainability - and supporting ​our “Going Green Together” ​project with VONNE.

“I am immensely proud that Cumbria CVS ​has once again risen to these challenges ​with hard work, flexibility and innovation - ​and the enthusiastic support of our ​members and partners.”

Our networks have also grown: ​we launched the “Trustee ​Network” with partners, and our ​“Employer-Supported ​Volunteering” programme ​encourages employers to help ​staff give their time and skills to ​the voluntary sector.

We joined the Lancashire and ​South Cumbria VCFSE Alliance, ​worked with the Cumbria, ​Northumberland, Tyne and Wear ​NHS Trust on mental health and ​learning disability and engaged ​with the new place-based ​partnerships in North and South ​Cumbria.

We held hustings for the shadow ​authorities and developed our ​web-resources on Cumbria’s ​“Local Government Re-​organisation” to help charities ​engage effectively, in ​partnership with Cumbria’s Third ​Sector Network.

In a year of challenge, we have ​really valued positive and ​constructive feedback. Several of ​the team went further: Clare ​Edwards and our Third Sector ​Referral Co-ordination team ​winning the “System ​Recognition” award (for cross-​sector collaboration) and Jane ​MacFarlane winning ​“Outstanding Individual” award ​(for the “Living With and Beyond ​Cancer” service) at the 2022 CLIC ​Awards.

And last but not least, Carolyn ​Otley’s MBE award “for services ​to the community in Cumbria ​during Covid-19”. In truth, ​Carolyn could easily have ​received awards for her work on ​Emergency Response, ​Community Resilience, tackling ​Poverty… we are proud of all ​these winners, as well as all who ​continue to battle on behalf of ​others.

As ever, thank you for your help ​and support.

David Allen

Chief Executive

Cumbria CVS

I would like to take a moment in this ​annual review to reflect briefly on the ​imminent retirement of our Chair, ​Mike Taylor, who will be stepping ​down from this role at our AGM in ​November 2023.

To say that Mike has had an ​extraordinary career would be an ​understatement, as he has had at least ​five!

Mike’s military service saw him rise to ​the rank of Colonel in the Territorial ​Army (Royal Artillery); he worked for ​Shell in the commercial sector before ​working as a management consultant ​- helping develop management ​standards for what was then the ​Institute of Management and being a ​National Assessor for the “Investors in ​People” quality standard. Shifting to ​the NHS, Mike chaired not one but ​two NHS Trusts in Cumbria (the ​Cumbria Primary Care Trust and ​Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation ​Trust).

Mike’s involvement in and ​commitment to the voluntary sector is ​no less prodigious: Chair of Chester ​Aid to the Homeless (CATH), Chair of ​Cumbria’s Third Sector Network, Chair ​of the Cumbria “Action for Health” ​network and Chair (now President) of ​St John Ambulance Cumbria. A life of ​public service was marked as ​extensive in 1992 (that’s 31 years ​ago!!) with the award of CBE – ​Commander of the British Empire (the ​highest-ranking Order of the British ​Empire award).

He was appointed a Deputy Lord ​Lieutenant in Cheshire - which ​precluded him from the same role in ​Cumbria – although Claire Hensman ​(LL Cumbria) valued Mike’s ongoing ​commitment enormously.

Mike has been a wonderfully ​supportive and engaged chair. His ​experience and expertise are second ​to none and in my opinion, his ​understanding of good governance ​and the distinction between ​operational delivery and strategic ​guidance is unparalleled.

At 86, Mike’s “retirement” from his ​roles with Cumbria CVS and Cumbria ​Third Sector Network will leave him ​with a significant voluntary sector ​workload - continuing his involvement ​with the Armed Forces Covenant, ​Carlisle and Eden Citizens’ Advice and ​St. John’s Ambulance.

His passion, energy and enthusiasm ​burn as strongly as ever - and I think ​many of us would be pleased to have ​achieved a small fraction of Mike’s life ​success. For so many of us, Mike’s ​approachable and considerate nature ​belies this considerable set of ​commitments and achievements and ​whilst a brief summary such as this ​will never properly recognise his ​enormous contribution, I hope it gives ​a sense of the mark of the man.”

David Allen

Chief Executive

Cumbria CVS

“To say that Mike has had an extraordinary ​career would be an understatement...”

“It is very important that this exists and ​the infrastructure is here to easily make a ​Warm Spot.

Wonderful local cooks provide an amazing ​lunch where we meet new people. It is ​open every day and I can walk here and ​get a cup of tea and meet with friends I ​would normally only see on the bus. It is a ​wonderful gift. It has been such a success ​and I hope it continues.”

Fenella, Warm Spot visitor

Cumbria CVS continued to convene and chair the ​Cumbria Poverty Reference Group though 2022/23, ​bringing together individuals and organisations with ​“hands on” experience of poverty to influence the design ​of services that support them.

We worked with Cumbria County Council’s Public Health ​Team to allocate £1m of short-term funding to key ​support organisations. These included Foodbanks, ​Citizens Advice and Carers Associations, and a small ​grants pot with Cumbria Community Foundation.

Over the winter we led work around Cumbria’s Warm ​Spots project. This brought together organisations from ​across the voluntary, faith and public sectors to develop ​resources to support community groups to set up ​“Warm Spots” in their local area – somewhere warm and ​welcoming, open to all, and able to signpost people to ​other support available. Over 200 Warm Spots ​registered across Cumbria, with details of opening and ​support available on a digital map on the County Council ​website.

Cumbria’s Director of Public Health, Colin Cox, chaired a ​Cost of Living Crisis Response Coordination Group ​through the winter period. Members of the Poverty ​Reference Group fed in their lived experience as Social ​Housing tenants to this group. Similarly, we worked with ​people with lived experience of using Foodbanks to run ​a session on “Finding Food” with Cumbria County ​Council’s Extended Leadership Team. This looked at the ​challenges people might have navigating Council ​services (and the challenges Council staff in low paid ​roles might be facing).

The year began with a fantastic opportunity to ​influence local government as it changed from ​six district and one county council into two ​unitary authorities.

We supported our Cumbria Third Sector ​Network Executive (TSNE) in producing “Key ​Principles” for engagement with the Voluntary, ​Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) ​Sector in December 2020. This year, we hosted ​hustings in April, where candidates addressed ​the TSNE with their thoughts on future ​engagement with, and support to, our sector.

Over the summer we began a programme of ​supporting the recruitment process for senior ​appointments. In early Autumn we responded to ​both unitary authorities’ Council Plan ​consultation programmes. We then fed into ​strategic developmental workstreams on ​governance structures, voluntary sector ​representation, community wealth-building and ​community power.

Our Workington AGM in November 2022 heard ​from leaders from the Shadow Authorities, who ​presented their ideas on VCFSE sector ​engagement – stressing the importance of a ​strong voluntary sector in helping to deliver their ​plans.

In January 2023, we held meetings with ​Councillors, sharing ideas on how the VCFSE ​sector could help improve the health, wellbeing ​and life-chances of the population – and ​successfully encouraged clear financial ​commitments from both authorities to existing ​VCFSE grant-holders.

“I am passionate about people and communities ​and support the fantastic communities who want ​to change their world… we are putting health and ​wellbeing at the heart of our programme… and ​our services will support the most vulnerable ​people in our communities, working together with ​the voluntary sector.”

Mark Fryer, Leader, Cumberland Council at CCVS AGM

“I appreciate and admire the VCFSE sector – it is ​creative, inventive, indefatigable and has always ​been there – especially when the state falters. We ​want to engage and enable thriving, resilient ​communities – and find innovative ways of ​providing funding to tackle wicked problems.”

Virginia Taylor, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Communities ​and Localities, Westmorland & Furness Council at CCVS AGM

As always, the year saw us facilitating an easy journey for generous ​volunteers through our Volunteer Brokerage Service. Promoting the ​volunteering opportunities of organisations, we supported many on a ​one-to-one basis with good practice in volunteer management, on a ​range of subjects such as recruitment, training, and retention.

Our Volunteering Fairs featured a variety of organisations in ​attendance, with volunteers exploring opportunities available to them. ​Volunteer Recruitment Sessions also helped volunteers find a role, and ​organisations access their vital support.

Volunteer Manager Network Meetings covered topics including youth ​and student volunteering, support and supervision, appraisals, and DBS ​checks. 35 organisations within the Network also contributed to the ​development of a Vision for Volunteering in Cumbria, which was then ​fed into a national, 10 year strategy to create a better future for ​Volunteering, led by NCVO.

We also continued to represent the Volunteering Network through the ​Cumbria Third Sector Executive, providing a voice for volunteers and ​volunteer managers across Cumbria.

Employer Supported Volunteering (ESV) sub-group meetings linked ​businesses and charities, with the organisations attending helping to ​further develop ESV in the county.

A BBC Radio Cumbria slot started, with the station’s audience hearing ​about local opportunities. Happening twice a week, the station’s ​audience find out from our Volunteering Manager about the wide range ​of positions available.

We have also become a strategic partner in Helping Hands, an exciting ​new project to improve access to opportunities within arts and heritage ​organisations, funded by the Arts Council.

“We needed help and guidance on ​running our Volunteer Project ​successfully.

Cumbria CVS were very approachable. ​The information and support given was ​brilliant! We received the information ​quickly and we were given lots of advice, ​support and pointers.

It has certainly given me more confidence ​in leading the Volunteer Project and ​makes the people wanting to join us as ​volunteers, more confident in us as a ​organisation.”

Claire Hines - Management Support Worker, ​Copeland Age and Advice Service

“A colleague told me about Cumbria CVS, ​and it was the perfect way to look for ​volunteering opportunities all in one ​place, and across a range of types of ​organisations.

CVS were very supportive and ​welcoming, helped save me time and ​effort and increased my confidence in ​approaching organisations about ​working with them.

They definitely helped me find the right ​volunteering niche and put me directly in ​touch with the most relevant places.”

Helen - volunteer

Employer Supported Volunteering (ESV) is one way in which ​organisations can support and encourage their employees to ​volunteer. This can take many forms - from an employer freeing up ​time for employees to do their own volunteering, to formal ​programmes.

Whatever form it takes, ESV allows organisations to make a big ​difference through volunteering, whilst benefiting the employee and ​employer too.

We support our staff to volunteer, with two paid days of time available ​to them, asking them to match this with their own time.

Lisa Cox has been volunteering with Eden Animal Rescue. After ​struggling with her Mental Health and living in a new area, she talked ​to Judith, our volunteering Manager, about our ESV policy. For Lisa, it ​was a great opportunity for development and getting involved in the ​community.

A typical volunteering day can see Lisa cleaning out cat pens, feeding ​the animals and checking their health, walking dogs, laundry, meeting ​and greeting the public and more.

The small staff team at Eden Animal Rescue heavily rely on volunteers, ​as without them they wouldn’t be able to carry out their work. It is ​vital that they get people coming on board to join the team.

For Lisa, increased confidence, improved communication skills, ​meeting new people and making really good friends and connections ​are amongst the many benefits.

From our perspective, volunteering gives our staff an insight into our ​local communities and the Third Sector organisations that we support, ​along with enhancing their skills and supporting wellbeing.

“The work that Lisa does with the ​cats and the dogs is invaluable.”

Sarah Bean, General Manager, Eden Animal ​Rescue

“Give it a try - I’m really glad I did… ​it’s made a big difference.”

Lisa Cox, Volunteer

Cumbria Third Sector Network’s focus this year has been ​firmly on Local Government Reorganisation. We have ​worked closely with the Network to support active ​communications with local voluntary and community sector ​organisations to involve them in the changes taking place.

In September 2022, we jointly facilitated online sessions to ​bring this to life. This provided the opportunity for local ​voluntary and community sector organisations to review ​and comment on draft Council plans.

We’ve also worked with Professor Tony Chapman ​(University of Durham) to produce an analysis of the ​Cumbria data from the latest round of the Third Sector ​Trends study. This work was funded by the newly formed ​Councils; providing a baseline report on the state of the ​Third Sector.

You can read the full report (or a shorter summary version) ​on our website here

Working with people from different backgrounds is a new ​challenge for many organisations in Cumbria. This year we have ​expanded our support to the third sector on their work with ​refugees and people seeking asylum.

Three new asylum contingency hotels opened in Cumbria, ​placing increased demands on local community organisations, ​who have provided clothing, social activities, informal English ​classes and support to access immigration advice.

This expansion of support led us to host a Migrant Mental Health ​project, funded by the NHS Mental Health Transformation Fund. ​Covering the Carlisle and Eden areas, this project has aided in ​connecting people to local voluntary sector support through ​organisations including Growing Well, CRAG, PERN and ​Together We and identifying the barriers that refugees and ​people seeking asylum face when trying to access mainstream ​NHS services.

“Growing Well started delivering to the ​male asylum seeker groups as soon as our ​Tebay site opened on 12th January 2023, ​we began offering an additional ​Wednesday service to women’s group ​shortly afterwards in February.

Over the course of the project, and ​beyond, we have engaged the groups in ​horticultural activities on our site every ​week as a means to improve their mental ​health and wellbeing and provide respite ​from the hotels.

Throughout this time, we monitored ​wellbeing and feedback and the response ​from the groups has been overwhelmingly ​positive. Since we started working with ​them, we have helped over 100 individuals ​seeking asylum and it has been a genuine ​pleasure to do so.”

Cate Bentley, Manager – Tebay, Growing Well

It’s been another busy year for community resilience. Fortunately, much of ​that work has been focused on sharing our experience with other areas rather ​than responding to incidents in Cumbria!

Our Community Resilience Coordinator has presented at a range of events, ​including a conference for community groups organised by Northumberland ​County Council, a British Red Cross conference for volunteers across the ​North of England, Cumbria Flood and Coast Forum and several online ​webinars. We’ve also been actively involved in both the national Voluntary and ​Community Sector Emergencies Partnership (VCSEP) and the National ​Consortium for Societal Resilience (NCSR+).

Cumbria’s Community Resilience work during the pandemic featured in a set ​of case studies for the National Preparedness Commission. The Cumbria Local ​Resilience Forum case study explains how a strategic approach to community ​resilience is an ongoing programme of work rather than a project.

We’ve worked with the Met Office to run an online session for community ​groups on weather forecasting, weather warnings, and the impacts of climate ​change. We’ve also worked with the Environment Agency’s Flood Risk ​Manager for Cumbria to arrange a visit for Cockermouth Emergency Response ​Group. The group visited their incident room and discussed some of the issues ​that arose during the October 2021 flooding and possible solutions.

It's also been a year for awards for community resilience, with Cockermouth ​Emergency Response Group receiving the Queen’s Award for Voluntary ​Service, and our Community Resilience Coordinator visiting Buckingham ​Palace to receive her MBE.

The funding for our Community Resilience work now comes through CiFR ​(Cumbria Innovative Flood Resilience), one of 25 projects in Defra’s Flood and ​Coastal Innovation Programme.

“Carolyn was the perfect link ​between the local Met Office ​advisor and the Cumbrian ​community group network, using ​her role as communities ​coordinator to promote the ​online training session which was ​the first of its kind in the UK for ​community response groups.”

Alan Goodman, Met Office

“Asked once why Cumbria is so good at resilience, I said ‘every county needs a Carolyn ​Otley’. Whilst this is particularly aimed at plaudits for the coordinator herself, CVS plays ​a pivotal role in hosting this role to support the community in Cumbria. Her support in ​arranging our householder event this year was invaluable."

Jo Crozier, Co-ordinator, Cockermouth Emergency Response Group

Established in November 2021, the Cumbria Trustees’ ​Network brings together trustees and directors from ​different VCFSE organisations to share experience, ​good practice, ideas and offer peer support.

During 2022/23 three network meetings were held:

June 2022 – A focus on recruiting trustees/directors. ​Jacqueline Nicol (Citizens Advice Carlisle and Eden) and ​Lee Martin-White (Carnegie Theatre) imparted their ​journey on how they recruit trustees. Helen Carter ​(Francis C Scott Trust) shared her experience of ​successfully recruiting trustees through Trustees ​Unlimited.

October 2022 – Featured the roles and responsibilities ​of being a charity trustee, highlighting the 6 key duties.

February 2023 – Andrew Seekings (Chief Executive, ​Cumberland Council) and Sam Plum (Chief Executive, ​Westmorland and Furness Council) updated the ​network on the local government reorganisation (LGR). ​Jozi Brown presented on how ACT are supporting ​communities through the challenge of cost of living.

The network is supported by ACTion with Communities ​in Cumbria (ACT), Cumbria Youth Alliance (CYA) and ​Cumbria CVS.

Future meeting themes include ideas on how to recruit ​Trustees and Directors. Anyone interested in joining ​the network can contact us via our usual email address ​and telephone number.

The Community Connectors project commenced in September 2022, with the aim to ​support under-represented communities (of locality, identity or interest) to be better heard ​by decision makers, statutory bodies and other large stakeholders.

The project is delivered by three area engagement workers (AEWs) located throughout ​Cumbria. AEW’s are placed to support volunteer Community Connectors, based within local ​communities, to develop their skills to act as a voice for, and represent, their group. Initially, ​AEWs conducted a mapping exercise of ‘who talks to who’, which they used to develop a ​workshop programme and toolkit.

In March, AEWs were joined by other CCVS staff for a training session on community ​engagement. This was delivered by the Scottish Community Development Centre (SCDC), a ​small charity, specialising in community development in Scotland. The day was spent ​learning, reflecting and engaging in meaningful discussions about community development. ​It is hoped SCDC will deliver training for Community Connectors in the future.

The project is funded by The National Lottery Community Fund and is supported by a ​steering group, made from two of the counties’ infrastructure organisations, Cumbria Youth ​Alliance and Action with Communities in Cumbria.

“I enjoyed hearing about things ​happening, and working to change and ​improve things and generate support. ​It was inspirational! That’s what I take ​away [from the workshop].”

Workshop participant

Bedrock Basics Project provides support to non-profit ​organisations that deliver some or all of their services to any part ​of the former Allerdale and Copeland areas of Cumberland.

Bedrock works to build on their existing skills and support them to ​further strengthen and develop their organisational capacity and ​sustainability.

The longer-term aim is that non-profit organisations will feel that ​they are in a more equal relationship with statutory sector ​partners and funders. We want our support to lead to non-profit ​organisations being more assertive, active and engaged in the ​development of policies and delivery of services within their ​communities.

“The Steering the Ship ​programme has let me view ​what we do in a different ​way. Using things like boats ​and bathtubs has been ​great to help me think ​about things differently. I’ve ​realised that what we do ​fits into models, and this has ​really helped, because ​models have solutions!”

Programme participant

BBO My Future: Barrow and South Lakeland project, funded by The European ​Social Fund and The National Lottery Community Fund, closed in June 2023 ​celebrating 6 years of delivery. Led by Cumbria CVS, and delivered in ​partnership with Women’s Community Matters, CADAS and Right 2 Work (and ​previously other partners), this project successfully (over) achieved all targets, ​improving the health, wellbeing, economic and social capital of a large number ​of residents across Barrow and South Lakeland.

Stakeholder and Learning events in Barrow and Kendal attracted 80+ colleagues ​from a range of organisations; promoting access to the project, nurturing ​relationships to ensure joined-up and effective support of participants; sharing ​good practice, tools and resources to help continue the legacy of this project.

During this final year, the partnership worked with LynchPin Support to update ​our Social Return on Investment (SROI) calculation, which reflected the impact ​of Covid-19 easing on delivery and participants, but amazingly resulted in a ​SROI (April 2021 and March 2022) of £1: £1.53.

The project also worked with PS Research to compile a final report outlining ​successes, challenges, and learning. The research team engaged with project ​staff, participants and stakeholders to produce a final project Evaluation which ​truly captured the complex nature of the project, but more importantly the true ​difference made to clients through the tailored interventions afforded by this ​project. You can find the report on our website here.

A second and final project film was also commissioned and developed by Signal ​Film & Media to celebrate successes and our participants’ achievements. Watch ​the film below:

Manjushri Well-being walk:

“I enjoyed meeting new ​people. I have enjoyed ​today it has lifted my ​mood.”

Ryan, Participant

Women in Business talk:

“I learned about the next ​steps for my business idea ​and increased my ​confidence to take them for ​my business plan.”

Majdolin, Participant

In September 2022, we started work on launching the first ​Poverty Truth Commission (PTC) in South Lakeland, building on ​the work of PTCs in neighbouring Barrow and Morecambe Bay.

Funded by South Lakeland District Council and National Lottery ​Awards for All, the aim of the Poverty Truth process is to:

• Enable people with lived experience of poverty to engage ​directly with people of influence in their local area
• Work together with them to find ways of improving the ​experience and life chances of others in similar situations

The project is expected to meet outcomes exhibited in similar ​PTCs in the UK, including:

• Empowerment of people in poverty to tell their stories, ask ​for help and make suggestions to improve local services
• Breaking down barriers between service users/potential ​beneficiaries of services and service providers/local ​government
• Developing deep and lasting relationships between ​individuals from different backgrounds to improve ​understanding and trust

Projects around the country have also led to myriad concrete ​changes in policy and processes. These have not only improved ​the experience of people on the edge but also saved money and ​resources for local authorities and services by better ​understanding and targeting of real needs.

South Lakes PTC is currently at the stage of developing 3 groups ​of ‘community commissioners’ across the patch. This is in ​preparation for their beginning work with a similar number of ​people with local influence after the ‘launch’ in October 2023, at ​the Ladyholme Centre in Windermere.

“I've been impressed with the way things have been done. I ​think the emphasis on getting people to work as a team, ​building up trust, and even making friends, is going well and is ​probably vital. It means that hopefully, down the line, we'll ​look out for each other and support each other, and people will ​feel able to be frank when we get to the next phase.”

Jim Webster, farmer, Ulverston

Inspiring Barrow is a pro-social after school programme that works with 22 schools in the Furness area. Children are selected for ​the programme through consultation with schools and parents with the aim of helping to improve their soft skills: teamwork, ​communication, resilience, leadership, and confidence.

The programme runs across year groups with year 6 children taking part in the Autumn term, year 8 in the spring term, and year 7 ​children in the summer term. In the past year 220 children have benefitted from the programme, reporting improved confidence, ​and enhanced teamworking, leadership and communication skills.

Each half term the children enjoy a day at the Kepplewray Outdoor Education Centre in Broughton where they build on the skills ​taught. Upon completion of the programme the children and their families are invited to celebrate their success at a event at the ​local civic centre, where they receive certificates and accolades. This past year, Deputy Lord Lieutenant Commander Paul Burns, ​Deputy Mayor Therese Assouad, and Area Manager for HSBC, Rachel Miller, attended as VIP guests.

Once the Year 6 Programme is completed in December, it continues to support the most vulnerable children by recruiting and ​training Mentors to support them until the end of the school year. 22 children received support from volunteers and staff, as they ​prepared for SATs and the transition to secondary school.

“Truly amazing service, it has made a huge difference ​for my son. Thank you for giving him his smile back.”

Year 8 parent

People in the Lead works at grassroots level. It supports individuals and community groups with ​initial set up, advising on governance and group structures. Support is also offered to existing ​groups to continue and deliver much needed community projects across Barrow and the South ​Lakes.

The project, funded by the Sir John Fisher Foundation, helps distribute the Eric Wright Charitable ​Trust’s small grants fund – awarding nine grants, totalling over £13,000, of up to £1000 to ​community organisations with an annual income of under £30,000.

Two funding fairs were organised - in South Lakes in September 2022 and Barrow in March 2023. ​Both received excellent feedback from attendees and helped give our members a voice, ​supporting connections and developing confidence with funders.

People in the Lead delivered a highly rated First Steps to Funding online training, which received ​excellent feedback and resulted in successful funding bids for many of the applicants.

The project is represented on a number of partnership meeting groups. These include the Health ​and Wellbeing Partnership, Local Resilience Forums, Love Barrow Together Coalition, Barrow ​Funders Partners, the Brilliant Barrow Comms and Engagement Team, and Barrow Community ​Prosperity Partnership, working closely in partnership to develop collaborative projects and ​funding bids.

The projects helps meet the needs of community groups and the voluntary sector, providing ​support with identifying funding, completing funding applications, recruitment of volunteers, and ​writing policies and procedures.

"I felt I should write and let you know how invaluable the support of CVS has been... Without ​your input we would have been floundering in the dark. I really want to thank you for the ​contribution you made, especially for taking the time to meet me to discuss possible funders.”

Jayne Flannery, Fundraiser, Furness Refugee Support

We worked with the Northern Cancer Alliance and ​Macmillan from 2018 to 2023 to support personalised care ​and recovery for people affected by cancer in North ​Cumbria.

The work focussed on partnership working with colleagues ​in health and the voluntary sector to make care more ​integrated with direct links through to a wide variety of ​support provided by the voluntary sector.

The project delivered a range of services. These included ​telephone and face to face support, exercise and movement ​classes and the popular Cancer Café Clubs, where people ​can meet up and be with others who understand the issues ​associated with cancer.

During the course of the year, we worked closely with ​partners to arrange for the project to be delivered by an ​organisation that could build upon the services being ​provided.

We are delighted that Living With and Beyond Cancer ​services are now being delivered by iCan Health and ​Fitness, WeCan Wellbeing Hub.

You can find out more about iCan and Living With and ​Beyond Cancer on their website:

https://www.icanfitnesscumbria.co.uk/wecan-wellbeing/

Last year, we made the ‘Mental Health at Work’ ​commitment to all our staff. Following this, a group from ​across the organisation, along with one of our Trustees, ​established a Mental Health and Wellbeing working party to ​deliver on the commitment, embed support and share ​resources.

Some of the actions so far have included training additional ​colleagues as Mental Health First Aiders, providing access ​to BrightHR’s wellbeing support and counselling, and ​sharing information on national Wellbeing and Mental ​Health awareness events and services.

Over the coming year we plan to create a network of ​Mental Health First Aiders across the organisation.

Find out more about the Mental Health at Work ​Commitment here:

https://www.mentalhealthatwork.org.uk/commitment/

“Many thanks for allowing us to attend ​the event in Workington, it was really ​valuable for us. You have developed an ​incredible ecosystem of vital providers ​to health and social care.”

Chris Lloyd, National Institute of Health Research ​champion

“Clare joined Cumbria CVS in 2019, and ​since then has clearly promoted cross-​sector collaboration and partnerships, ​brokered mutually beneficial relationships ​across third sector, health, and social care ​sectors, and has ensured connectivity ​between the third sector and our statutory ​partners”.

CLIC Award comments

The Third Sector Referral Coordinator team comprises of four Coordinators, a data management administrator, and a senior Third ​Sector Referral Coordinator. All are employed by Cumbria CVS and have honorary contracts with North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS ​Trust. The Team is funded by North East North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (formerly the Cumbria Clinical Commissioning Group).

They support Integrated Care Community (ICC) staff within all eight ICCs across North Cumbria, and acute/community hospital staff, ​to understand the Third Sector. Encouragement is given to make appropriate referrals to the Team on behalf of individuals who ​would benefit from additional, non-clinical support from the variety of Third Sector services available.

During this period, the Team has continued to develop referral pathways to support North West Ambulance Service’s community ​paramedics, Adult Social Care Teams, and Cumbria Health on Call to make referrals for individuals into the Team. They continue to ​play an integral role in supporting people being discharged from acute and community hospitals under NHS England’s ‘Discharge to ​Assess’ procedures. This ensures that people are offered additional support once discharged home from hospital.

The Team continues to coordinate the Health & Welfare Telephone Support Service, developed in partnership with NCIC NHS Trust, ​NENC ICB, and seven key third sector organisations operating in North Cumbria.

1298

inbound referrals ​supp​orted

305

referrals made to ​other third sector ​services

250

referrals made to ​our 7 partner ​organisations under ​the Health & Welfare ​Telephone Support ​Service, resulting in ​a further…

279

onward referrals to ​other third sector ​organisations

“Thank you so much for ​taking such a speedy ​response to this man and ​his wife. It’s great to hear ​that they are going to ​reengage with the local ​support group too.”

Your service is so ​valuable! The patient and ​family would definitely ​have been passed again ​from pillar to post so it’s ​nice to have someone that ​has the ability to send ​them in the right ​direction.”

“I feel so much better ​after speaking to you ​yesterday and feel that ​something is actually ​going to happen for my ​brother.”

The Step Forward into volunteering and ​Employment service is commissioned by the ​North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care ​Board and funded by the Mental Health ​Transformation Fund.

It aims to improve the opportunities for those ​living alongside mental health experiences in ​North Cumbria. Through a strengths-based ​holistic approach, clients refer into the service to ​receive bespoke one-to-one support. This helps ​them with overcoming obstacles, barriers and ​misconceptions about mental health and to ​move forward at their pace into volunteering or ​employment opportunities.

Once in a placement, the individual is supported ​for a period of 14 weeks to maintain the stability ​of their mental health. During this time, we ​support the client to manage reasonable ​adjustments and articulate conversations that ​help to navigate a supportive working ​environment for them, with the right mental ​health support and culture in place. We have a ​duty to engage with employers, build and ​develop relationships with businesses and look ​for opportunities of the right calibre - our clients ​deserve no less.

The project is working towards developing a ​Better Mental Health in the Workplace Toolkit, in ​conjunction with its first demonstration of the ​Library of Lived Experience.

Step Forward on Tour is coming in October!

64

referrals (39 female/25 male)

12

Step Forward Buddies (including ​the Advisory group)

7

members on the co-production Advisory Group

100+

networking meetings, events attended, presentations ​given, and stalls beautifully set out with mental ​health and wellbeing incentives

“Step Forward is a wonderful person-centred ​project that supports people living with mental ​health experience in many ways. The team are ​amazing and the support they offer is tailored to ​each individual's needs and wishes: From assisting ​with developing interests; to building confidence ​and self-belief; to supporting the individuals during ​the whole process of volunteering/employment and ​beyond.

The individual's mental wellbeing is at the forefront ​and supported, while the team enable each person ​to explore opportunities and potential careers ​pathways.”

Hayley Newton, Service Manager, The Glenmore Trust

This past year has been one of consolidation and rejuvenation for the ​organisation. We have been building on our experiences and navigating the ​new social-political landscape our sector is experiencing and using this to ​support our members through this period.

We have seen internal changes that will lead to positive impact on our ​membership. We have invested in the training and development of our staff ​teams, with five members of staff gaining certification in the project Skills ​Bootcamp and significant progress towards embedding our Mental Health at ​Work Commitment – maintaining a productive organisation with engaged ​and happy colleagues.

As well as investing in our staff we have focused our time and resources on ​improving our digital structures, moving towards the introduction of new ​client relationship management systems for members, activity and ​volunteering. This will see an increase in streamlined approaches and ​capacity for our staff teams so they can spend more time helping our ​members. We hope to share our learning over the next 12 months in the ​areas of digital training and innovation.

The best thing about these changes are the benefits to our members. These ​have allowed us to focus on excellent partnership and delivery through our ​programmes, such as Community Connectors and Step Forward. These have ​helped us to inform discussions and facilitate sessions with Health and Local ​Government colleagues through the changes they have undergone over the ​past year. We have seen huge successes in our engagement LGR Briefing ​sessions and continued advocacy through supporting the Third Sector ​Network Executive.

Although we continue to develop and support our membership, some of the ​challenges we are facing around funding and cost of living are likely to stay ​for some time. We continue to be ever committed to improve ourselves and ​services to support our membership.

We have been working with lead agency ​CDEC (Cumbria Development Education ​Centre), and a number of other voluntary ​groups, to pilot the development of a ​Community Research Network.

The intention is to enable the voice of ​groups and communities to be heard by ​decision-makers, as well as develop local ​solutions to address issues they face. During ​the pilot stage 10 groups from across the ​county have participated in training and ​events enabling them to have consultations ​utilising approaches to facilitate ​understanding and ideas for change.

Going forward it is hoped that a wider piece ​of work will be led by CDEC to further this ​network over the next 5 years and embed it ​across both of the new councils.

29%

increase in people supported compared to last year

Andy Lee, Chair of Seascale Recreational Association (SRA), ​contacted us in May 2022. They had struggled to recruit new ​Trustees and advice was needed about how to manage the ​organisation in the future.

The existing governance arrangements for SRA, which is funded by ​Copeland Community Fund, had been in place since the early 1950s, ​when the land was purchased using a bequest. The first challenge ​was trying to decipher how the organisation was operating. It ​transpired that they had people who they thought were ‘Trustees’, ​but who were actually ‘holding trustees’ (who hold land in their ​names on behalf of the organisation). This meant they were not the ​actual decision-making trustees in Charity Law.

It was a bit of a surprise when it was explained to SRA that the ​trustees were in fact the Management Committee - and it was them ​who were liable if something went wrong.

We explained that one way to reduce personal liability would be to ​register the group as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), ​which is a registered charity. In addition to this, a meeting was held ​with Cumbria CVS’ Trustee Matthew Scott to discuss how trustees’ ​indemnity insurance would be beneficial to the organisation.

As a result of the advice given, SRA took out the necessary ​insurance. Following an application submitted to the Charity ​Commission in December 2022, April 2023 saw SRA approved as a ​charity.

Both of these steps have led to more people being willing to ​volunteer to become a trustee, helping to secure the organisation’s ​future.

“The advice and assistance provided by ​Cumbria CVS and, in particular, Bridget ​Johns, has been invaluable, indeed essential, ​to enable the SRA to secure approval of their ​CIO application by the charity commission.”

Retired medical consultant Angela ​White set up the Going for Old CIC in ​order to promote healthy living to ​older people, but had no experience ​in the fundraising process, in ​particular in applying for grants.

After attending a First Steps to ​Funding course run by us, we got in ​touch to find out if the training had ​been useful and ask what support ​was needed going forward. We ​informed Angela that the Eric Wright ​Charitable Trust fund was accepting ​applications and also advised her on ​policies for the CIC.

With our support, Angela submitted ​her first ever grant funding ​application and was successful. This ​enabled Going for Old to deliver two ​“Building Better Bones” workshops to ​older people in the South Lakes.

The workshops were well attended ​and received excellent feedback. ​Going for Old CIC are now exploring ​further funding options with Active ​Cumbria and Age Friendly ​Communities to enable them to ​deliver further workshops.

“I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your help ​and support. The funding workshop and supporting ​handouts detailing and demystifying the process for small ​companies like ourselves who have not applied for funding ​previously was very thorough, clear and helpful.

It's quite a daunting process applying for funding but with ​your encouragement I have been able to do this. It was ​really helpful to me to be able to consult with you on the ​various steps along the way. In particular, helping by ​providing draft policies for us to use as a guide to ​developing our own where we have as yet not needed to ​have formal ones in place but also in reviewing our draft bid ​proposal and making suggestions for things we had not ​clearly articulated. I have gained a lot from you about the ​process and feel much more informed.”

Angela White, Going for Old CIC

Treasurer’s Report

I am pleased to deliver a ​Treasurer’s report as part of the ​22/23 Annual Review.

As there was no Treasurer’s ​Report in 21/22 I have included ​some figures from the last report ​done.

22/23 has seen a small net ​positive movement in ​unrestricted funds which builds ​on the work done in the last few ​years to ensure the fair spread of ​costs when pricing projects.

Unrestricted grant funding and ​rental income fell in comparison ​to 21/22 whilst charitable ​activities was at a similar level. As ​many are aware, growing ​unrestricted funds is difficult - ​especially in the current climate - ​alongside ensuring that the direct ​and indirect costs spent to gain ​that income don’t exceed the ​actual income generated.

Addressing this area remains a ​key focus both now and in the ​future.

As at March 23 our restricted and ​unrestricted net assets are ​sufficient to cover current and ​future recognised liabilities and ​our gross current assets more ​than cover the restricted funds ​we manage. Improving the ​position to have an ongoing level ​of unrestricted cash reserves has ​not yet been achieved and ​remains an ongoing objective.

Looking ahead, the financial ​outlook for the organisation and ​the sector as a whole remains ​very challenging, not helped by ​local government re-organisation ​and the overall economic climate. ​However the team remain very ​motivated to deal with these ​challenges and flex where ​required.

Having joined the Board of CCVS ​in March 23 I have been ​impressed not just with David but ​with all of the team and the Board ​in their approach to managing the ​finances of the organisation.

Also I would like to thank the ​Finance team for their ongoing ​hard work in providing timely ​financial information to the Board ​and Finance Committee.

Charles Watt

Treasurer

Dear Cumbria CVS,

I am using the lovely pen which you sent me ​together with the beautiful card: a great surprise ​and so kind of you. Thank you all so much. I have ​been very touched by the kind words expressed.

In my turn, I want to thank you at Cumbria CVS ​for your all-encompassing range of support to ​Cumbria’s volunteers and needy communities, ​and your leadership in strategic partnerships. ​The CVS has enabled so many worthwhile ​projects and initiatives but is not always ​recognised for its involvement, not being the ​headline provider.

It has been for me an enormous privilege to have ​been HM Lord Lieutenant and I have learnt so ​much about our beautiful county and met ​wonderful people from all walks of life who are ​giving so much and making a difference for ​others. I have loved every moment!

My thanks and good wishes to you all.

Keep up your great work!

With all good wishes,

Mrs Claire Hensman

HM Lord Lieutenant, Cumbria

31

Chief Executive

Service Development Officer

Mental Health Volunteering and Employment Administrator

Area Engagement Worker (South), Community Connectors

Community Development Officer/Migrant Mental Health Project Co-ordinator

Project Co-ordinator, Inspiring Barrow

Finance & Resources Manager, BBO My Future

Facilities, Health and Safety Manager (left 04/08/2022)

Administration Officer, Third Sector Referral Co-ordinator team

Area Engagement Worker (West Cumbria), Community Connectors

Finance Officer

Health Partnership Manager

Administration Officer (Health)

Third Sector Referral Co-ordinator (Physical Health)

Senior Third Sector Referral Co-ordinator

Activity Officer, BBO My Future (left 02/03/2023)

District Manager, South (left 30/03/2023)

Communications Manager

Development Officer, Bedrock

Third Sector Referral Co-ordinator (Mental Health)

HR Manager

Administrator, BBO My Future

Administration Officer

District Manager, West

Senior Finance Officer

District Manager, North (left 30/09/2022)

Service Development Manager

Administration Officer, BBO My Future

Evaluation and Research Officer

Community Resilience Co-ordinator

Countywide Funding Support Officer (left 28/07/2022)

Mental Health Volunteering & Employment Administrator

Operations Manager

Third Sector Referral Co-ordinator (Physical Health)

Area Engagement Worker (North), Community Connectors

Digital Support Worker, Bedrock

Senior Administration Officer

Volunteering Manager

Third Sector Referral Co-ordinator

Co-ordinator, Poverty Truth Commission

Co-ordinator, Hug-a-Mug (left 28/02/2023)

Support Officer, Inspiring Barrow

Project Manager, Step Forward

Facilitator, Poverty Truth Commission

Volunteering and Employment Officer (Mental Health)

Project Manager, BBO My Future

Development Officer, Ewanrigg Local Trust

Finance and Resources Manager (left 03/01/2023)

www.cumbriacvs.org.uk/about-us/staff/

www.cumbriacvs.org.uk/about-us/directors/