More than £40,000 in grant funding has been distributed through the Programme and Project Partners (PPP) social impact fund to support employment and training projects designed to help people into work.
The fund, managed by Cumbria Community Foundation and backed by industry leaders including Kellogg Brown and Root Ltd and Amentum Clean Energy Ltd, has so far awarded £42,520 to initiatives in the region.
Steve Harnwell, managing director of PPP, said: “I’m delighted to see our latest grants being awarded to such a mix of amazing community organisations.
“Each is doing incredible work investing in skills, training, and giving people the confidence to pursue meaningful work.
“Our Social Impact Fund helps them to deliver this vital work by removing barriers to employment and creating opportunities that make a lasting difference to people’s lives.”
Cumbria Community Foundation said it aims to enable access to educational and training activities that raise career aspirations, help individuals in becoming “work ready”, facilitate entry into ‘meaningful employment’, and ‘remove barriers to employment and economic participation’.
One beneficiary is Time to Change West Cumbria (TTC), which received £10,000.
The funding will be used to cover the cost of bus passes, bicycles, CSCS cards, and other items.
Rachel Holliday, chief executive of TTC, said: “We are delighted to be awarded £10,000 from the PPP Social Impact Fund to continue to help local people in need in our area.
“So many people are struggling financially with the cost of living crisis and are just not able to make ends meet.
“By supporting people into work and helping them sustain their employment, we can help many people move towards a better life and a brighter future.”
Other grants awarded include £10,000 each to People First Independent Advocacy, for a job coach at Harbour Place Community Cafe in Workington, and to Revive Furniture Recycling for a community training project in Copeland.
Whamos Training and Development in Millom received £2,520 to deliver sessions in digital skills, English, maths, life skills, and employability.
The PPP is a 20-year partnership established by Sellafield Ltd in 2019 to deliver major infrastructure projects.
A Cumbria Community Foundation spokesperson said: “The PPP Social Impact Fund is also open to applications from individuals, particularly those facing complex barriers to employment or living in areas of high deprivation.”
Dr Jenny Benson, director of programmes and partnerships at Cumbria Community Foundation, said: “We’re delighted to work with Partnership and Project Partners to ensure this funding reaches those who need it most.
“We know many people in West Cumbria face significant barriers to securing employment and this fund is making a real difference, providing practical support where it is most needed.”
