Community gamechangers celebrated at the AGM
27th October 2025
Applause rang out for Cumbrian communities who have successfully brought transformational change to their area through inspirational projects and sheer effort.
Their contributions were recognised on Friday at the 76th annual meeting of community development charity ACTion with Communities in Cumbria, where CEO Lorrainne Smyth heralded the enterprise, vision and work of groups and volunteers across the county.
Eighteen projects joined in a special celebration of activities and achievements, from which three were drawn for recognition at the Preston Patrick gathering, near Crooklands.
These included ambitious plans to sustainably rebuild Greystoke’s 50-year-old swimming pool, Garsdale’s mission to bring an isolated population together through its village hall and a pioneering community-led affordable housing scheme for Keswick.
ACT has been operating in a support role since 1948 and Ms Smyth said the charity was pleased to see that wide-ranging, visionary schemes continue to bring substantial benefit.
She added: “Vital to so many of these projects is a planning process which is complex, but crucial in helping communities to have a voice and achieve their goals.
“We were pleased to welcome to our annual meeting Lake District National Park Authority planner Chloe Swift, who explained how to get involved in Local Plan discussions before and during formal consultation.
“It was great, paying tribute to some truly exceptional work. We saluted village hall plans, the introduction of lifeline rural bus services, drives for much-needed affordable homes, debt reduction and financial support programmes.
“Cumbrian communities are doing amazing things which make real differences to people’s lives. Through our celebration of their incredible contributions, we wanted to share their stories.”
Details of the 18 participating projects can be found at: https://www.cumbriaaction.org.uk/what-we-do/community-celebrations and ACT’s annual review is available at : https://www.cumbriaaction.org.uk/resources/annual-reviews
Chairperson of Voluntary Action Cumbria, Jim Webster, who opened the AGM, said in his welcome address that everyone who puts themselves forward to help communities deserved recognition for making the county a better place for all.