Latest news with #NationalLotteryCommunityFund
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Cumbria Climate Assembly criticises government's lack of public engagement on policy
The Cumbria Climate Assembly is calling for Cumbrians to be treated as 'citizens not consumers' as it criticises the failure of both local and national governments to engage with residents on climate change policy. The 40 members of the assembly were chosen at random from across the county and tasked with coming up with recommendations on how residents can feel heard and be able to influence decision makers on climate change. They decided on 11 key recommendations which included proposals for better government consultation and transparency, proactive engagement by MPs and councillors with their constituents, and the creation of a permanent citizens assembly on climate change in Cumbria. Peter, one of the assembly members, said: "Climate change is not something that is often discussed in my social life and I was a bit of a climate change sceptic but the overall experience has been a real eye-opener and has shown just how important this subject is." Members met for around 30 hours over a period of three months where guest speakers from both councils, universities, and businesses shared how things are currently done and provided insight into the topic at hand. The assembly was funded by the National Lottery Community Fund and supported by the Zero Carbon Cumbria Partnership. Another assembly member called Harriet said: "Our response to what we heard left us inspired, but on occasion angry and very frustrated. "After a full day at the assembly I felt exhausted like my head was going to explode, so full with information, thoughts and emotions about what we'd heard." A spokesperson for Sustainable Carlisle said: "Sustainable Carlisle wholeheartedly supports both the process and the recommendations of the recently held Cumbrian Climate Assembly. "We would very much like to see the our Council turn the recommendations into actions and to employ Citizen Assembly principles to both truly inform residents and engage them in designing our future. "This could result in the kind of partnership that is required if we are to have a serious and meaningful response to Climate Breakdown based on evidence and good decision- making" Further details about the Cumbria Climate Assembly can be found on the Zero Carbon Cumbria website.
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Castle Douglas support service puts pressure on the council over expansion plans
Stepping Stones Community Larder and Foodbank has launched a petition as it bids to take over an empty property next to its base. A Castle Douglas support service is putting pressure on the council to allow it to expand. Stepping Stones Community Larder and Foodbank wants to take over an empty property next to its base in St Andrew Street. Last year it was awarded a £30,000 grant from the National Lottery Community Fund for the move, which would allow it to add a variety of other services and take on more volunteers. But the team have become frustrated at how long the process to dispose of the building, which is part of Castle Douglas Common Good, is taking. And they have now launched a petition to show support for their plans and force the issue. Project manager Leanne Urquhart said: 'We were told they were going to make the decision in May but it's been extended and it might not be until September. 'We're starting to panic, although the man we talk to at the lottery is really understanding. 'We started looking at other premises but they don't quite suit what we have just now and what we could have next door. 'We're going to ask if we can start doing the other services in the larder when we're closed. 'It's a terrible space but they could have my office for one to ones. 'If we could get 500 or 1,000 signatures on the petition it has got to speak something.' The community larder and foodbank started nearly two years ago and caters for more than 100 people a week from across Dumfries and Galloway. The expansion plans would involve other services such as Citizens Advice, health and energy to be offered from the space. And with this being Volunteers' Week Mrs Urquhart was keen to highlight the army of helpers she has – and more people can come on board if they can find more space. She said: 'It's frustrating as we're bursting at the seams. I could free up my office and let the volunteers have it as we've no space. 'We've so many people waiting to volunteer but there's nowhere for them to go. 'We've got a good, steady group of 17 volunteers between people who work in the larder and people who do food collections. 'We also have three or four seasonal volunteers. 'It's an amazing set-up we've got and if we had a wee bit more space it would be even better. 'I feel like I can't move forward until we get a decision. 'It would be phenomenal for the larder having that space – we could be a holistic space rather than just coming in forfood. 'We can't do anything without the volunteers, they're just amazing.' The building they hope to move into had been the base for the Galloway Glens project but has been empty for more than two years. A council spokesman previously said their estates team only became aware of the interest from Stepping Stones after 'the process of negotiated sale had commenced with another party', despite having been marketed for rent for some time. A report for the most recent Castle Douglas common good fund committee meeting stated: 'The offices at 5 St Andrew Street are currently progressing through the process of being declared surplus with a view to being disposed of by negotiated off market sale. 'It is anticipated that a future report be brought back to this sub committee detailing any offer received and to be considered.' Principal estates and asset management officer Colin Freeman said the process was being followed 'to the letter'. The council was asked to comment on the latest position with the property.
Powys County Times
4 days ago
- General
- Powys County Times
Newtown residents embrace circular economy at community events
The young boy's teddy was repaired at the event (Image: Benjamin Wolf) This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. Newtown residents are embracing the circular economy at community events. The latest success was Newtown's Summer ShareFest at Hope Church. The event, organised by the Open Energy project, featured a 'SwapShop' and repair café. Attendees exchanged books, clothes, and toys, all free of charge, funded by the National Lottery Community Fund. The event, part of the Open Energy project by Open Newtown, aims to reduce waste, lower carbon emissions, and strengthen the circular economy by promoting the reuse and repair of everyday items. A spokesperson said: "It has been a challenge to spread the word about these events and to help people understand what they are about. "But the response from those who attend is always so positive. "More and more people are realising that we can work together as a community to reduce waste, share resources and save money." The event also featured a repair café where residents could extend the life of their possessions. At the event, a young boy's soft toy, a gift from his late father, was repaired. The initiative also takes repair cafés 'on the road' to different parts of the community. The event at Hope Church included craft sessions, gardening activities, and free food and refreshments. A spokesperson said: "For many participants, our events are their first experience attending a clothes swap or repair café. "We're hoping that repair and reuse becomes the norm and there is certainly a growing appetite for it." To find out about future events, you can follow them on Facebook or email Openergy@
Powys County Times
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Powys County Times
Powys: Arts programme for children secures lottery funding
The MAKE Creative Arts Programme for children in and around Presteigne, Powys, has received £19,804 in funding. The money, from the National Lottery Community Fund, will help the Sidney Nolan Trust to continue running the programme for children aged seven to 11 years old until July 2027. The weekly arts club, which is held on Monday afternoons during term time at the Youth Centre in Presteigne, was developed to give access to arts and creative learning for young people in Presteigne and the surrounding area. The new funding from the National Lottery Community Fund, which distributes money raised by National Lottery players for good causes and is the largest community funder in the UK, offers important support to help sustain this well-regarded after-school programme based in the community. Run by artists from the area, Sophie Ferrier and Olivia Mabey, the sessions give young people the chance to explore a variety of ideas and creative skills, as well as to share their artwork within the community. Those taking part help shape the direction of the sessions, with the group having worked across drawing, printmaking, photography, animation and puppetry, among other art forms. Antony Mottershead, curator and creative producer at the Sidney Nolan Trust, who set up the project with initial support from the Ashley Family Foundation, said: "We're proud to be enabling young people in our rural area to get hands-on through MAKE with a range of creative ideas and processes. "We know that the arts are increasingly pushed to the margins of education and the support of the National Lottery Community Fund enables us to maintain this vibrant artist-led programme in the heart of our community. "Alongside developing their creativity and problem-solving we also see our participants growing in confidence, social skills and aspiration." When young people turn 11, they are encouraged to continue developing their creativity by joining the Trust's Cultivate arts programme, which is designed for those aged 11 to 18. One of the young people said: "I have been going to the Sidney Nolan Trust for a long time now. "I started in the MAKE group and then progressed to the Cultivate group. "One of the sessions I really liked at MAKE was the Lino printing. "We sketched plants and transferred the image to Lino and made prints. "There are so many things I love about Cultivate. "I get to meet artists and be inspired by them, and even work with them. "At Cultivate, I get to meet people and work with materials that I can't do anywhere else. "I live somewhere where I can't find much art to take part in. "Cultivate helps me feel like I can be an artist." The National Lottery Community Fund has recently introduced its new strategy, 'It starts with community', which will guide the distribution of at least £4 billion in National Lottery funding by 2030. As part of this strategy, the funder has identified four main missions: to support communities in coming together, promote environmental sustainability, help children and young people thrive, and enable people to lead healthier lives.
Western Telegraph
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Western Telegraph
Literature community project set to launch in Pembrokeshire
Little Grebe Creative CIC has been awarded £20,000 from the National Lottery Community Fund to launch the "Love Through Literature" project. The initiative aims to bring people together through stories. The project will offer free activities such as creative writing workshops, storytelling sessions, and filmmaking opportunities. The goal is to celebrate the voices, experiences, and imaginations of Pembrokeshire's diverse communities. Kerry Curson, project manager of Little Grebe Creative CIC, said: "We believe stories are the heartbeat of every community. "This project is about listening, sharing, and celebrating the beautiful diversity of Pembrokeshire through literature and the arts." The project will culminate in the creation of a short film and a published short story anthology, both featuring the stories and voices of those involved. At the heart of "Love Through Literature" is a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and representation. The CIC is actively reaching out to individuals from a wide range of cultural, social, and linguistic backgrounds to ensure that the project reflects the full spectrum of Pembrokeshire's community life. Whether participants are seasoned storytellers or completely new to the craft, "Love Through Literature" offers a welcoming and supportive space for connection, creativity, and collaboration. For updates, event information, and opportunities to get involved, visit the Little Grebe Creative website.
