Charities and organisations in Barrow have been awarded £400,000 in funding aimed at helping people with health conditions into work.
The funding, part of the Barrow Rising: Work and Health Fund (Adult Support), is going towards seven projects across Barrow.
A Cumbria Community Foundation spokesperson said: "Led by Westmorland and Furness Council and managed by Cumbria Community Foundation, the fund will help people who are disabled or have long-term health conditions, those with caring responsibilities, or others experiencing disadvantage.
Clare Paling, public health project officer at Westmorland and Furness Council, said: "We know there are people in Barrow who want to get back into the workforce, but who face barriers and challenges which prevent them from being able to.
"The idea of this fund is to place money in the hands of local organisations who can help these people through targeted interventions and programmes.
"We decided to create this grant funding programme in recognition of the important contribution the voluntary and community sector make in supporting people in Barrow.
"We are delighted to work with Cumbria Community Foundation to deliver this funding, which we believe will be life-changing for many people currently struggling to access employment."
The funded projects include:
- Citizens Advice Barrow – £98,330 for a partnership with St Mary’s Hospice, Mind in Furness and Carers Support.
- A Stitch Different – £48,101 to extend the Furness Sleep Helpline pilot.
- Cowran Care – £48,200 to support 25 young people 'facing barriers into employment'.
- Cumbria Addictions, Advice & Solutions (CADAS) – £49,639 to help people affected by substance abuse remain in employment, focusing on the construction and hospitality sectors.
- Barrow Forward – £50,000 to deliver one-to-one exercise and wellness interventions for individuals with 'health-related barriers to employment'.
- Inspira – £49,466 to fund a project adviser for NEET young adults.
- Vision Support Barrow and District – £49,000 to support working-age people with Vision Impairment (VI) to 'build tenacity and overcome barriers to employment'.
Debbie Twinney, director of A Stitch Different, said: "We are delighted to receive additional funding for the Furness Sleep Helpline and associated work.
"This will enable us to expand delivery to include one-to-one support, small groups and targeted workshops.
"We know that sleeplessness has a major impact on health and wellbeing, so this funding has the potential to make a real difference to many people who are currently struggling.
"We are incredibly grateful for the fund’s confidence in our work and look forward to delivering meaningful, lasting impact."
The Barrow Rising: Work and Health Fund (Adult Support) sits under Team Barrow, a public-private partnership involving the government, Westmorland and Furness Council, BAE Systems, businesses, and the community.
Sarah Thompson, grants and programmes officer for Cumbria Community Foundation, highlighted the high quality of applications.
Ms Thompson said: "We were very impressed by the breadth and scope of applications we received and are delighted to be able to fund so many excellent projects.
"Evidence shows that having access to work can improve mental and physical health, so we look forward to hearing some of the success stories made possible by this funding."
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