Vital youth services around Silloth will continue thanks, in part, to investment from the Fells and Solway Community Panel.
The North Allerdale Community Trust (NADT) runs the Friday Night Project in Silloth and a monthly youth group in Kirkbride, both of which were under threat of closure. It received £7,000 from the panel, which will allow the projects to continue.
Sandra Keaveney, Chief Executive Officer at NADT, said: “A huge thank you to the panel. This investment will help us continue both groups and, more importantly, provide time to further develop a sustainable future plan for them - they provide vital access to youthwork for the young people in these communities.”
The Fells and Solway Community Panel – which covers the wards of Dalston and Burgh, Solway Coast, Thursby, Aspatria and Wigton – also approved the following funding at their last meeting:
- Chrysalis, a Wigton organisation that helps adults with learning difficulties, received £3,700 for new IT equipment. It will mean people can, with support, research the trips and activities the group offers over the holidays, while improving their IT skills.
- £6,330 was awarded to help improve the Jubilee Walk footpath in Aspatria. The well-used path near a primary school had undergone flood alleviation work by the council, but needed resurfacing. The money from the Community Panel was added to other council funding to complete the work.
Chair of the Fells and Solway Community Panel, Councillor Tony Markley, said "These are three incredibly worthwhile projects. One helps children get to school, one gives youngsters a host of great activities to get involved in, and one is offering new skills to people who need a little extra support. They are all really supporting our community from the grass roots up and the panel members are proud to back them."
Cllr Lisa Brown, Cumberland Council's Portfolio Holder for Adults and Community Health, said: "I continue to be proud of how our Community Panels see what is needed in their communities and support projects addressing those needs. The work these community organisations do is phenomenal and having the panels there as a means to back them is making a real difference."
Cumberland Council has eight Community Panels, covering the whole council area. The panels each have funding to invest in local projects that support the priorities of the panel. The priorities for the Fells and Solway panel are: Community infrastructure; Community safety and rural crime; and Highways, transport and the environment.
Panels are supported by a network of local residents, businesses and bodies, which engage in different ways to advise the panel where funding and support should be invested.
To find out more about Community Panels, visit: Community Panels | Cumberland Council