ACTion with Communities in Cumbria
Offices O-Q Skirsgill Business Park
Penrith
Cumbria
CA11 0FA
Cumberland
Westmorland and Furness
ACT champions community and rural issues.
We support communities to plan for their future, develop projects, work with others, and influence and change policy.
We are active in rural areas among communities affected by disadvantage whether this is economic, social or physical.
We provide practical advice and support, deliver training, and offer independent facilitaties.
ACT works on a diverse range of projects often in partnership with public sector and other third sector organisations.
Community Buildings - Community Buildings, Village Halls and other assets owned by the community are at the very heart of villages and neighbourhoods. ACT supports the volunteers who manage these facilities through the Community Buildings Service and the Community Buildings Directory.
Community Emergency Planning - We are now working on the Big Lottery funded Rebuilding Together project. As part of the Rebuilding Together programme ACTion with Communities in Cumbria (ACT) is supporting communities across the county with Community Emergency Planning and resilience activities, to help them prepare for, respond to, and recover from an emergency.
Community Led Planning - Community Led Planning, Neighbourhood Planning, Emergency Planning, and Valley Planning help local people to explore their needs, set priorities, and plan actions. ACT provides support and access to a wide range of resources, including access to completed plans from across the county in the Community Plans Database.
Cumbria Rural Panel - The Cumbria Rural Panel was established following a review of the Cumbria Rural Forum, providing organisations and individuals with a place to come together and discuss issues of concern to rural life. The Panel is intended to provide a balance of interests and expertise across different sectors of our rural county to: engage in meaningful debates; identify solutions; disseminate information; and promote action.
Good Neighbours - Good Neighbours Schemes match people who can give some time with people who need some help. Lots of people help each other out already but a Good Neighbours Scheme is a way of giving casual help more structure so that: people who need help don’t feel they’re bothering their neighbours if they need to ask for help frequently; and people who don’t know each other, or who are new to the area, can be matched up to help or be helped.
Hallmark Quality Standard for Halls - Hallmark is a nationally recognised award, promoting good management and practice by Community Building Management Committees. Community Buildings with Hallmark can benefit from insurance discounts and gain recognition on funding applications as the award acts as evidence of the high standard of the committee members and the merit of the hall. There are 3 Hallmark awards covering: 'Charity administration and management'; 'Health, safety, security and licences'; and 'Community & social awareness, communications, forward planning and development'
Setting Up and Running a Group - Support for new and established groups in Cumbria, from choosing an appropriate legal structure to business planning, fundraising, and recruiting and managing volunteers.