Charitable causes in and around the Barrow area have received a share of more than £36,000 to provide support to some of the most disadvantaged people across the peninsular.

Four community groups and one young person received a share of the funds at Cumbria Community Foundation’s recent Barrow Community Trust grants panel. The funding supported activities addressing drug and alcohol issues, health and wellbeing and a litter picking project.

Carry on Breathing, which supports people with respiratory problems, received £1,000 from the Barrow Community Trust Fund towards running costs and activities such as yoga and singing workshops. The club was formed by the Barrow-based breathing support group to focus on techniques and exercises to alleviate respiratory problems.

Harry Brunskill, Secretary, said: “We have talks from doctors and nurses, gentle exercise like chair yoga, singing and the chance to chat with other people with similar problems. Sessions take place at The Living Well Centre on Duke Street from 1.30pm to 3pm on the first Wednesday in the month and at Ulverston Health Centre from 2pm to 4pm on the third Wednesday in the month.”

Barrow’s streets will become a lot cleaner thanks to community action group, Zest Cumbria CIC after it received £2,535 from the Cumbria Grassroots Fund for litter picking equipment, and high vis tabards. Zest Cumbria is made up of a group local of people wanting to make positive changes in the Barrow community.

Elaine Roberts, Director, said: “Litter comes in many forms. Take a look the next time you walk outside – you can’t miss it. Cigarette butts, fast food packaging, crisp bags, cans and cartons, newspapers, ATM slips, chewing gum. You name it, and it’s on our streets, in our parks and on our beaches.

“We are extremely grateful to Barrow Community Trust for awarding our group this funding to buy new litter picking equipment. We will be putting this equipment to good use and get the ‘war on litter’ started. We have already organised four community litter picks, both adults and kids are welcome to attend. Keep an eye out for our litter mascot ‘Pick It Up Pete’, he is going to be out and about in the community.”

For more details about ZEST and the organised litter picking events, visit its Facebook page: www.facebook.com/zestcommunityactiongroup

Cumbria Alcohol and Drug Advisory Service (CADAS), received £30,000 over 3 years from the Cumbria Fund to fund recruit and support volunteers. Leigh Williams, Chief Executive Officer said: “We are forever grateful for this grant. It will help us to meet the real boom in the demand for services in the Barrow area and we aim to double the size of the volunteer scheme. One thing we really want to do is use specific volunteer skills, such as yoga and mindfulness to help us deliver a programme of health and wellbeing activities. This will help our clients learn new skills to help them sustain their own wellbeing.”

If you are from the Furness area and think you might be able to help, email [email protected] to find out more about its new exciting volunteer opportunities.

Ellen Clements, Grants and Donor Services at Cumbria Community Foundation, said: “Organisations like CADAS are essential in tackling issues in the local community and with help from the funds managed by the Foundation they can make a real difference.”

Sue Howorth, founder of The Family Business Network has been a trustee of the Cumbria Community Foundation since 2018 and is a passionate champion of the foundation.