Sellafield Ltd’s social impact programme has been refreshed and relaunched as Six – social impact multiplied. Its first investment will be Transforming West Cumbria, a £2.2m fund to help west Cumbria’s most vulnerable communities.

Six is a new approach to social impact which prioritises projects co-created with the community and stakeholders. It recognises that more can be achieved in partnership and that impact can be multiplied through collaboration. Transforming West Cumbria will take on west Cumbria’s most entrenched social and economic problems.

Sellafield Ltd and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) are funding the initiative, which will be delivered by Cumbria Community Foundation (CCF.) It aims to put local people in charge of their own futures by empowering neighbourhoods to create transformational change.

The programme will focus on family wellbeing, financial education, community activism, and inspiring young people. Among the initiatives are:

• a £1.3m fund for community and voluntary groups
• £660,000 to support families
• £175,000 to fund financial education
• schemes to nurture young entrepreneurs
• a drive to make community activism the norm for young people

It has been developed to address issues identified in CCF’s West Cumbria: Opportunities and Challenges report.
 
Gary McKeating, Sellafield Ltd’s head of community and development, said  “I believe Transforming West Cumbria can create profound and long-lasting change in our community. It will laser focus on the causes of inequality and confront the issues holding back our most vulnerable. Research tells us people from poorer backgrounds are not lacking in ambition. What’s missing is the knowledge, skills, and characteristics required to achieve those ambitions.

“Transforming West Cumbria is a package of tailored support to address this. It’s not about telling people what’s best for them. It’s about giving communities the tools to be independent, self-reliant, and successful in the long-term.”

Andrew van der Lem, head of government relations for the NDA, said: “Creating a positive legacy for our communities is one of the NDA’s guiding principles. That means ensuring as many people as possible benefit from the opportunities on our sites. Alongside this, we’re helping our communities to build diverse and sustainable economies which can thrive long after our decommissioning programmes have ended.

“Transforming West Cumbria will help achieve those aims by using an evidence-based approach that prioritises measurable outcomes in the areas of greatest need.”

Andy Beeforth, chief executive officer of Cumbria Community Foundation, said:  “We have a long-standing relationship with Sellafield Ltd and we are proud to be a partner on this programme. Community and voluntary organisations play a crucial role in helping us understand the needs of our local people and Transforming West Cumbria will enable this understanding to be used to tackle some key challenges in our area.

“The programme will significantly invest in community projects that build the capabilities and financial sustainability of critical organisations, inspire and encourage new and existing social entrepreneurs and help children, young people and families to thrive by building resilience and self-efficacy.

“We are looking to fund more innovative and diverse projects that offer unique alternatives and innovative solutions to improve the health and wellbeing of local people and reduce inequalities. By working together and focusing our efforts, we will help create thriving communities and a better future for West Cumbria.”
 
Mike Starkie, Elected Mayor of Copeland, said: “Social inclusion has been and continues to be my key focus as Copeland’s elected mayor. I’ll be working closely with partners in west Cumbria to ensure we support and enable the most disadvantaged in our community.”