A comprehensive report on the ‘Lake District Communities and World Heritage Status’ local conversations which took place between October 2018 and March 2019. The report, written by ACT on behalf of the Lake District National Park Partnership, includes results from an online survey exploring the impact of World Heritage Site designation on those who live and work in the Lake District.
Cumbria Rural Forum, facilitated by ACT, provides individuals and agencies with an opportunity to come together to discuss issues of concern to rural life. Briefing papers are produced as a result of each forum event.
Developed by Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE), and Oxford Consultants for Social Inclusion (OCSI), the Evidencing Rural Need project provides information showing the real socio-economic picture of rural England – its areas of deprivation, the economy, and access to services. Individual Cumbrian Parish Profile reports are available from our Parish Profiles page. More information about the project can be found on the Evidencing Rural Need website
Exploring Future Opportunities and best practice. A report compiled by Kate Lawler, Geography student at Loughborough University, on Industry Placement at ACTion with Communities in Cumbria.
This report has been compiled using Rural Evidence data published by Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE) and Oxford Consultants for Social Inclusion (OCSI). Datasets for all rural communities in England have been developed, and comprehensive Parish Profile reports.
The purpose of this report is to explore the use of the Rural Evidence data to improve our understanding of key issues affecting rural Cumbrians. The following key issues have been chosen for analysis: An ageing population; Too few young people; Disadvantage; Health; and Rural Living.
The State of Rural Cumbria Report - Fuel Poverty Update - February 2014 produced using updated Fuel Poverty data.
A proposed model for climate change adaptation and community resilience in a rural setting. Climate change will have a significant impact on the Lake District. Thinking through what changes could occur and how we can respond will assist communities to become more resilient and able to respond. An Executive Summary is also available and Adapting to Climate Change in Ullswater - 2013 illustrates the best ways that a rural community like Ullswater can adapt to Climate Change.
Working with the Cumbria Association of Local Councils and the nine planning authorities in the county, this document provides information that will assist Parishes to decide whether Neighbourhood Planning is an initiative of benefit to their community.
A report on the research project to establish the scope and potential for developing community resilience in Cumbria between 2012 and 2017.
The project was initiated by partners because they recognised the opportunity presented by the establishment of a rural Big Society Vanguard initiative in the Eden Valley, a result of the advocacy of Rory Stewart MP. They particularly wished to record local experience and to disseminate practical lessons learned in order that other communities might benefit.
This paper summarises six key issues that participants in the Cumbria Rural Forum identified as those which they consider to be the greatest challenges to the future of rural communities. The paper reflects evidence drawn from day to day contact with rural Cumbrians and published research and data produced by government agencies, local authorities and other third parties.
Rural Cumbria has much to commend itself as a place to live. However, the true level of deprivation encountered by many rural residents has not been fully recognised or acted upon. Due to the dispersed nature of this population, traditional methods of defining disadvantage have not been relevant and simple “one size fits all” solutions cannot be applied. The research summarised here reveals the full extent of deprivation in rural Cumbria.
A qualitative study of rural people’s perspectives on health related problems and the needs of rural communities. Commissioned during the Closer to Home debates, with relevance to the localisation of services.
The Exchange at Crosthwaite is a shining example of effective community action in the face of the loss of rural services. This Guide describing how the Exchange was established and operates was compiled by the committee of the Exhange at Crosthwaite with the help of ACT (previously Voluntary Action Cumbria) so that communities facing this challenge can copy their example.
Produced following activity looking at how communities can take the evidence and conclusions of their local planning activity and use this to secure the strategic actions that are necessary if the needs identified are to be met. Pathways of Influence Summary - 2008 summarises findings from talking with communities and partners in the community led planning process.
The final report in a series of publications produced in response to an increase in the number of migrant workers in Cumbria. Mapping of Advice and Support Needs in Cumbria for Migrant Workers was published in June 2007 and Migrant Workers Research quality of life interviews in October 2007.
Rural services are increasingly under threat. This Report and accompanying Local Services Under Threat poster - 2007 offer communities and service providers ideas for how to work together to manage change constructively.
Following on from a highly successful Village Halls Week that involved over 700 village halls, actively engaged 18 MPs and attracted coverage from BBC’s Countryfile, national newspapers and resulted in #villagehallsweek trending on Twitter, ACRE has launched a national survey for England’s Village and Community Halls.
ACTion with Communities in Cumbria (ACT), the ACRE Network member and community development charity for Cumbria, is encouraging all of the county’s 300+ village halls and community buildings to take part.
The Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership (CLEP) appointed a new Board member as its Voluntary and Community Sector representative at its January meeting.
Lorrainne Smyth, Chief Executive at ACTion with Communities in Cumbria, has been appointed to replace Professor Patricia Allen, Chief Executive of Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw Children’s Hospice, who has stepped down.
Lord Inglewood, Chair, Cumbria LEP, said: “I am very pleased that Lorrainne has joined us on the Board. CLEP is very committed to working with the voluntary and community sector and that is why we have a specific place on the Board for the sector.
Communities across Cumbria are preparing for Village Halls Week – a national celebration of village halls, their volunteers, and the services they offer their communities. This year Village Halls Week runs from Monday 20th to Sunday 26th January, and begins with a launch event at the House of Commons, hosted by Defra Minister Lord Gardiner of Kimble.
Hellen Aitken from Cumbrian community development charity ACTion with Communities in Cumbria (ACT) will be attending the launch in London, together with David Anderson, Chairman of Kirkby in Furness Community Centre, one of three Cumbrian halls to recently benefit from funding from the Defra funded Village Hall Improvement Grant.
Members of the Cumbria Village Halls Network got together last week for a free workshop on using websites and social media. The group met in the cosy community room at Dufton Village Hall, using their recently installed broadband. With help from web-designer Phil Guest, the workshop was a whistle-stop tour of what makes a good website and how to make best use of social media for promotion.
The Village Halls Network is a way for committee members and trustees of community buildings across Cumbria to share practical ideas, relevant experience and to ask for help and advice. Members get together periodically, as well as supporting each other remotely.
Not only have the dedicated volunteers at Hunsonby Community Centre raised £300,000 to refurbish their community building, they’ve also been awarded a nationally recognised Hallmark quality standard for good governance.
Ofgem is carrying out a call for evidence for households who are not connected to the electricity distribution network, which we know at ACT is an issue for a significant number of Cumbrian residents