ACTion with Communities in Cumbria (ACT) are delighted to welcome Gareth Douglas-Brown and Katie Milburn to their growing team as two new Development Officers, this takes the small - but perfectly formed - team size to seven members of staff. Gareth has taken on his home patch of West Cumbria and will continue the fantastic work delivered by his predecessor Rose Lord.

The Lakeland Canoe Club are based in Kendal and has been in existence for sixty-seven years they have fifty-two members from around the South Lakes who regularly paddle with them. Over the past five years they have become much more active in river and sea kayaking, having held club events on 153 days during 2018.  Membership is being built slowly through an inclusive calendar of events.

In response to demand from prospective members they were successful in a grant bid to us (ACT) for Cumbria’s pilot Sport England’s Lace Up Project.  This funding will provide a facility for those in rural communities to become more active in sport. Lakeland Canoe Club has purchased four new river kayak, paddles, spray decks, helmets and buoyancy aids as part of their 'Be Inspired, Kayaking For All’ project.

As the rural and community charity for Cumbria, ACTion with Communities in Cumbria (ACT) supports the recent national call for a rural strategy.

The Rural Economy inquiry report was published on 27 April, in it the Committee have called for a comprehensive national-level rural economic strategy, to be delivered locally via communities, councils and businesses.

ACRE Village Hall Improvement Grant Fund is now live - The Autumn 2018 budget announced that, to mark the centenary of the Armistice, government would support several initiatives, including making available £3m grant funding to support improvement projects for village halls.