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Westmorland Community Fund

The Westmorland Community Fund focuses on supporting the communities in which Westmorland Ltd colleagues live. Grants are available for projects that help these communities thrive, create a legacy and deliver long term benefits. The fund was established in 2009 by the Dunning Family of Westmorland Ltd, which includes Tebay Services, Rheged, Westmorland Hotel and J38 Truckstop. Priority is given to projects that help named communities to thrive, support young people to reach their potential, improve mental health and wellbeing, have synergies with the Westmorland Family's business interests around sustainable development and awareness of the value of local produce, farming and craft, and have the potential to grow and have a real legacy. The fund serves the communities of Appleby-in-Westmorland, Brough, Kirkby Stephen, Penrith, Stainton, Shap, Tebay and Kendal. In addition to providing grant funding, Westmorland aims to build lasting, supportive relationships with the groups it supports. The goal is to create a two-way connection to ensure a circular benefit – where funded organisations, local communities, and Westmorland colleagues can share ideas, learn from each other, and grow stronger together over time. Examples of supported projects include skills training programmes boosting young people's confidence and employability, mental health workshops offering peer support, community building renovation, youth clubs offering creative and active sessions, and enterprise projects supporting new ideas through mentoring and training. Grants range from £500 to £10,000, with multi-year grants considered for projects that show strong potential to grow their impact over time. The fund supports community groups that work with young people, manage community facilities, or operate community-based services in the eligible area.

Kirkby Moor Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund

The Kirkby Moor Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund provides grants for not-for-profit or charitable activities for communities located close to the Kirkby Moor Wind Farm. The fund is managed by Cumbria Community Foundation and funded by Nadara. It supports volunteer-led community groups or local partnerships which benefit communities within eight kilometres from the Kirkby Moor Wind Farm, with priority given to projects located in the core red area. The fund specifically supports charitable community activities that are environmental, educational, sporting, amenity-related, community-focused, or supporting equal opportunities. Priority is given to projects that promote sustainable use of energy and resources, environmental improvements, energy efficiency initiatives, community composting, local food production, and educational events about efficient resource use. Examples of funded activities include projects promoting sustainable energy and resource use, environmental improvements to community facilities, energy efficiency projects for low-income residents and community facilities, community composting schemes, projects promoting local produce and reducing food miles, hedge restoration and wildflower planting schemes, and free educational events on efficient use of resources and energy. Multi-year applications are also considered.