Jobseekers across West Cumbria are getting extra support to move closer to work, thanks to grants worth more than £40,000 awarded through the PPP Social Impact Fund.
Managed by Cumbria Community Foundation and funded by Kellogg Brown and Root Ltd, Amentum Clean Energy Ltd, Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, and Altrad Babcock Ltd, the fund was created last year to help remove barriers to employment and open up new opportunities for local people.
Since launching, the fund has supported a range of organisations helping people build confidence, develop new skills and become work‑ready. This includes social enterprise Time to Change West Cumbria, the grant will help them support individuals seeking employment with essentials like CSCS cards, travel costs, and other practical items.
Other beneficiaries include People First Independent Advocacy, to fund a job coach for staff with learning disabilities and/or autism at Harbour Place Community Café in Workington; Revive Furniture Recycling, to aid the delivery of training and employment support for residents in Copeland who are unemployed or facing multiple barriers; and to Whamos Training and Development in Millom, to deliver one‑to‑one and small‑group sessions in digital skills, English, maths, life skills and employability.
Last year’s grants
And last year, the fund also supported Goodlives, which runs training centres in Cleator Moor and at West Lakes Science Park, to help adults facing long-term unemployment, social exclusion, or poor mental health develop skills and rebuild confidence on their journey into work.
Together, these grants are helping people build confidence, gain skills, and take meaningful steps into employment – strengthening communities and creating lasting impact across West Cumbria.
Steve Harnwell, PPP managing director, said: “I’m delighted to see our latest grants being awarded to such a mix of amazing community organisations. Each is doing incredible work investing in skills, training and giving people the confidence to pursue meaningful work.
“Our Social Impact Fund helps them to deliver this vital work by removing barriers to employment and creating opportunities that make a lasting difference to people’s lives.”
To read more about the fund click here.