Cumbria Community Foundation is urging more community groups in the Wigton area to apply for funding through the Joyce Wilkinson Charitable Trust Fund.

Joyce Wilkinson, who lived in Westward, left a lasting legacy to her community and a wonderful way to be remembered. Since the fund was managed by the Foundation in 2006, more than 91 local organisations have benefited from a share of £600,000.

One of the organisations to have benefitted year on year from grants is the Northern Fells Group, receiving a total of 26 awards. Other groups have included Wigton Baths, Chrysalis and Citizen Advice Allerdale.

Like many leisure facilities, Wigton Baths was closed for most of last year, resulting in a loss of income. The 115 year old community baths will continue to offer its facilities thanks to a grant for £5,000 meaning local residents and school children can continue enjoying the wellbeing benefits of swimming.

Kath Tyson, Director of Wigton Baths Trust, said: “Wigton Baths Trust are thrilled to accept this grant from Joyce Wilkinson Trust Fund. It will make all the difference to the shortfall we now face. No one could predict what happened last year and the impact it has had on all our lives and businesses in this extraordinary way.”

Due to the coronavirus crisis, Chrysalis, which provides support to adults with learning disabilities, had to adapt it services and offer alternative support through outreach activities in the community. A grant for £2,924 will support outdoor activities throughout the colder and wetter months thanks to outdoor garden shelters at each of its locations. These will provide a community hub at each site where members and support staff can drop into when the weather becomes bad, or to pop into and use for refreshments and lunches.

Claire Doherty, CEO at Chrysalis, said: “Since the pandemic, we now provide a lot more support on an outreach basis in the community, and this funding has provided a dry and safe place to stop for a while.”

Introducing Cumbrian primary school children to leadership, entrepreneurship, and teamwork is the Centre for Leadership Performance (CfLP) Bright Stars programme designed to get children excited about the world of business.

Centre for Leadership Performance received £2,072 to enable pupils from Tomlinson School and Silloth Primary School to benefit from this extra- curricular activity.

Claire Johnson, Primary Programme Manager, said: “The additional funding will enable us to work with more schools in the Wigton and Silloth area and provide more opportunities for primary school children to take part in this exciting programme. Bright Stars introduces children to enterprise and leadership and the world of business from a young age while helping to nurture creative thinking, confidence and aspirations. The programme provides opportunities for schools and business to forge ongoing relationships and for young children to link their learning to local careers and jobs.

“Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, this year’s competition has moved ‘from making a profit’ to ‘making a difference’. In 2021, the children and their business partners are challenged to develop campaigns to deliver positive change on an issue or subject that matters to them.  School business teams will develop digitally led marketing ideas and activities and will also compete to win funds for their schools with prizes in ten categories including best leadership and teamworking. But most importantly, pupils and their business partners will have fun!  We look forward to seeing the ideas put forward by our area’s future entrepreneurs.”

The funding is available to community groups in the former county of Cumberland, especially those in the Rosley and Westward, Caldbeck, Wigton and Aspatria parishes.

Grants are distributed from the fund twice a year and the Foundation is looking for more applications especially from projects supporting older people, children and young people.

Ellen Clements, Senior Grants and Donor Services Officer at Cumbria Community Foundation, said: “We are enormously proud to have been able to carry on Joyce Wilkinson’s legacy. It shows how amazing the gesture was for Mrs Wilkinson to have created the Trust for the benefit of the community that she lived in.”

Applying to the Foundation for a grant is straight forward and staff are always looking to help organisations with their applications.

The deadline for applications to the Joyce Wilkinson Trust Fund is 10th May 2021. For more information about how to apply, contact Ellen Clements by phone 01900 825760 or by email [email protected]