Charitable groups and partnerships supporting vulnerable children and young families in West Cumbria are being encouraged to apply for funding.

Part of Transforming West Cumbria, Family Wellbeing will give cash grants of up to £50,000 a year for three years to projects that improve the health and wellbeing of some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children and families in West Cumbria by:

• Encouraging a whole-family approach, supporting parents and families to engage and actively support their children’s development
• Supporting children to build emotional resilience, particularly at critical transition points in their lives
• Acknowledging the importance of early years (0-5 years) interventions and the need for intensive family centred support.

The scheme is part of wider £2.2 million investment that Sellafield Ltd and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) will be injecting into local communities over the next three years.

Gary McKeating, Sellafield Ltd’s head of community and development, said: “I am delighted that we are able to make quick progress on delivering Transforming West Cumbria. The fact that we are in a position to award grants so quickly is a testament to Cumbria Community Foundation’s commitment to the programme.

“There are many amazing charities that are doing vital work with some of the most vulnerable people in our community. I’d encourage them all to look at how the Family Wellbeing might be able to help them support even more people, or make their work more sustainable, and get their grant applications in as quickly as possible.”

Transforming West Cumbria, developed by Cumbria Community Foundation, focuses on promoting thriving communities by supporting sustainable activities that create self-reliance and independence.

Annalee Holliday, Grants & Donor Services Officer at Cumbria Community Foundation, said: “We recognise that to really transform children’s life chances, they need sustained interventions that meet the diversity of their needs and that participation and co-production must be a key component of any service.

“Children and families in West Cumbria are supported by many charities to improve their lives so that they reach their full potential. These groups are part of the community, trusted by families and can make a real difference, providing help and hope.

“Family Wellbeing will address a need for more support to work with parents and families to establish stability in the lives of children and achieve lasting positive outcomes.”

More information can be found at www.cumbriafoundation.org/fund/transforming-west-cumbria-family-wellbeing or by calling 01900 825760. Applications must be received by 4th September 2020.