Cumbria Community Foundation
Transforming a community through collaboration
Transforming West Cumbria (TWC) is a five-year, £6.5m social investment programme addressing the region’s toughest social challenges. Led by Cumbria Community Foundation (CCF) and funded by Sellafield Ltd it has supported hundreds of organisations and thousands of people. A 2024 evaluation confirmed its success, generating £19.9m in social value, or £5.34 per £1 invested.
The West Cumbria Opportunities and Challenges community needs report, commissioned by Sellafield Ltd and prepared by CCF in February 2019, identified the region’s deep-rooted socio-economic issues. Drawing on reputable data sources, local insights and up-to-date statistics, the report outlined high poverty rates, low household incomes, and a vulnerable voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector.
Specifically, it noted that 3,900 children live in poverty, one in seven households earn less than £10,000 annually, and one in four adults lack formal qualifications.
TWC was launched in March 2020, just as the Covid pandemic hit, which exacerbated existing problems and introduced new challenges. It had several programme themes, including building the capacity of local civil society; nurturing new and existing social enterprises; inspiring youth-led community action; supporting local families; and increasing access to mental health and wellbeing services.
Collaboration and partnership are at the heart of TWC’s strategy, with strong engagement from Sellafield Ltd’s supply chain. By leveraging these relationships, the programme continues to evolve, ensuring meaningful, long-term change for communities in West Cumbria.
CCF manages the programme, including grantmaking and monitoring and evaluation, ensuring effective governance and coordination. Progress is reported formally to Sellafeld Ltd each quarter. All interventions are delivered through multi-stakeholder approach ensuring that interventions aligned with public policy and maximised impact.
A 2024 independent mid-programme evaluation highlighted TWC’s success at three levels. For individuals and communities: increased resilience, financial security, mental health support, youth empowerment, and volunteering opportunities. For projects and delivery partners: stronger partnerships, better collaboration, and a more resilient VCSE sector. At a programme level: coordinated delivery, efficient use of resources, and lasting generational impact for West Cumbria.
Charity Awards judge André Clarke, director of charity development at Lloyds Bank Foundation, said the evaluation confirmed the programme’s success. He praised its focus on groups that had historically faced exclusion and its impressive cross-sector partnership approach.
CC Reg. no. 1075120
