In the last six months, ten community projects in Allerdale have received a total of £363,812 in grant funding from the GDF Programme as the area takes part in discussions about whether it could be the right place to host a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF).
A GDF is an underground facility designed to safely and securely dispose of higher activity radioactive waste. The Allerdale GDF Community Partnership is a group made up of local people and organisations, the GDF developer and Allerdale Borough Council, and exists to consider the possibilities of hosting a GDF within an identified Search Area.
The current Search Area includes the 13 electoral wards of Aspatria, Broughton St Bridgets, Dalton, Ellen & Gilcrux; Flimby, Harrington & Salterbeck, Maryport North, Maryport South, Moorclose & Moss Bay, Seaton & Northside, St John’s, St Michael’s and Stainburn & Clifton.
Grant funding of up to £1 million a year is available to projects, schemes and initiatives that provide economic development opportunities, enhance the natural and built environment, or improve community wellbeing in the Search Area.
The first causes in the area to benefit from Community Investment Funding are:
- West Cumbria Domestic Violence Support have been awarded £116,749 to fund the continuation and increase the capacity of the ‘Freedom Project’ which operates a domestic violence helpline and provides 1-1 support and counselling and group sessions for victims.
- Broughton Academy received £68,000 to install a Multi-use Games Area in the school yard
- Inspira were awarded £59,861 for a project linking young people with employers
- Healthy Hopes Cumbria received £43,747.20 to continue their Health and Wellbeing groups based at Workington and Maryport
- Always Another Way have been awarded £40,103 to support children, young people and vulnerable adults struggling with mental health issues.
- Broughton Parish Council received £11,250 to supply and install six Assorted pieces of outdoor adult gym equipment on the Welfare Field and £6,000 to install fencing to prevent stray balls landing in the playground from the Welfare Field
- Friends of Bridekirk Dovenby School were awarded £10,000 to create a Sensory Garden for use by the pupils and the local community
- West Cumbria Care & Support received a grant of £6,100 towards feasibility work for the development of Curwen Hall Walled Garden
- Carnegie Singers were awarded £2,000 for a community engagement and outreach project related to the wellbeing benefits of singing
Always Another Way are a local community interest company providing preventative mental health services for children, young people and adults. They have been awarded £40,103 to support people struggling with low level mental health issues such as depression, stress and anxiety through one-to-one support or group sessions, home visits or mental health awareness courses. They also offer support in the school setting for pupils struggling with their mental health. The type of support they provide enables people to take control and find ways of improving their own emotional and mental wellbeing.
Always Another Way Manager Andrea Sales, said: “The team here are thrilled to have received this funding which will enable us to improve the daily lives of many more children, young people, and vulnerable adults in Allerdale who are struggling with their mental health. The application process was straightforward and there was plenty of support available from the Community Investment Team who were always on hand to answer questions.”
Jason Flynn from the Partnership’s Community Investment Funding team said: “It’s brilliant that the Community Partnership has been able to begin awarding grant funding to local causes. We’re receiving applications from a wide range of community projects and organisations, and we encourage anyone with an existing project or an idea for a new project to get in touch for an informal, pre-application chat.”
For more information about Community Investment Funding or to start your application, visit the Allerdale GDF Community Partnership website. For help and support email: communityinvestment-allerdale@nda.gov.uk.
For general enquiries related to the Allerdale GDF Community Partnership or GDF Programme email: gdfinfo-allerdale@nda.gov.uk or call 0300 369 0000.