Support for new and established groups in Cumbria, from choosing an appropriate legal structure to business planning, fundraising, and recruiting and managing volunteers.
Setting up a new group is very exciting. However, it can be a bewildering experience, so many options, so much information to consider, but where do you start? The following workbooks and guidance sheets will help you through the process of setting up and running a group.
Affordable housing for local people is an enduring challenge in popular rural areas. CLT's can be part of the solution.
This web-based Toolkit brings together information, signposting and suggestions, building on grassroots work to improve water quality in Windermere. Much of it has wider application, but it is focused on the Windermere and Leven Catchment area. It's for you if you are interested in taking local action to improve water quality, from getting involved in taking water samples for testing, to setting up a local volunteer monitoring group, to letter writing and campaigning, on your own or with others. The Toolkit has been funded in part by the Environment Agency, who wanted to share resources from the Rethinking Water Citizens Panel, and partly by the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, who support activities that strengthen community voice.
A Good Neighbours Scheme is a community-run initiative linking people who are in particular need with community volunteers who are willing to help. The Good Neighbours Scheme Toolkit will assist and guide you through setting up a scheme. Please also see accompanying template documents that can be used in conjunction with this toolkit.
Community Exchanges are regular community-led events that bring people together, provide services and information and reduce social isolation. This toolkit brings together a series of guidance sheets and video interviews from Crosthwaite Exchange, 'The Vic' Community Cafe in Culgaith, and Bolton Exchange, to support other communities looking to start their own Exchange or Community Cafe.
Being able to put together a survey which is easy to understand, and will give you the information you need, is a useful skill for any community group, particularly those doing Community Led Plans. This guide provides an introduction to writing questionnaires, the types of questions to avoid, how to ensure your survey is accessible to all, and how to analyse the results.
Parish Council led Community Fibre Partnership to build a customised fibre solution, bringing broadband to homes and businesses.
Volunteers who live and work in the local community - trained and activated by North West Ambulance Service to attend emergency calls.
Reuse of waste food to offer free lunches to people in need.
Supporting people in Kirkby Stephen and the surrounding area.
Volunteer residents’ scheme for checking on vulnerable neighbours in their locality in extreme weather.
Not for profit social care organisation for people in Coniston and the surrounding area.
Working with young peoples to meet needs through recreation and sports facilities.
Community Exchange that runs every month at the Nicholforest Village Hall.
Establishing a ‘Friends of Tebay Church Group’.
Production of information they could use to provide a focus for visitors and to encourage new visitors to the area.
Community Asset Transfer from Cumbria County Council to Dalton Community Association.
Parish council appointed part-time Village Hall Development Officer to work with all seven village halls.
