£1 million package for Voluntary Sector

The work of Voluntary Sector Organisations across Cumbria will benefit from a £1m package from the County Council over the next three years, which is detailed in a report to be considered by the Council’s Cabinet next Tuesday 10th June. Representatives from the Cumbria Association of Council’s for Voluntary Service (CVS’s) and Voluntary Action Cumbria (VAC) will also explain to Councillors the nature and importance of their work.

Deputy Leader of the Council, Mike Ash explains: 

           “The work of the voluntary sector in a diverse County as Cumbria is extremely important and one that this Council values enormously. Over the next three years we’ll be investing over £1m in helping them deliver much needed services and to help them become more involved in planning future services. We have been able to agree detailed action plans and I’m looking forward to hearing how those will be implemented and discussing how we can continue to strengthen our links. 

The work of the Voluntary Sector can often go unnoticed, but they can and do provide a valuable lifeline to isolate communities, as clearly evidenced during the Foot and Mouth crisis.  They are active across both urban and rural communities and have developed many good local initiatives, which we are proud to support. We’ve provided extra money in the budget this year to support their work as we want to ensure there is well supported and vibrant voluntary sector operating across Cumbria.”

The report to Cabinet also highlights a number of new projects currently being developed: 

• In Barrow a Personnel Specialist Support service for the Voluntary and Community sector to help them become quality employers 

• In Eden a scheme to advise and support the development local voluntary organisations

In South Lakeland a mentoring scheme to encourage disabled people to become active volunteers