Francis Scott Trust

14/04/2026

A Charity Senior Leadership Masterclass is taking place on 14th May at Castle Green Hotel Kendal and will cover a range of topics.

For more information and to reserve a spot visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/charity-senior-leadership-masterclass-tickets-1984883782826?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

25/03/2026

❗️Funding Opportunity❗️

A grant of up to £2,500 is available from Cumbria Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

Your project must support at least one of the priorities in the Police, Fire & Crime Plan:
- Tackling anti-social behaviour
- Tackling domestic abuse, sexual violence or violence against women and girls
- Disrupting or preventing drug supply or use
- Helping people stay safe online
- Tackling rural crime
- Addressing anti-social or dangerous driving
- Supporting mental health
- Preventing neighbourhood crime

Please read the Guidance Notes before applying to make sure your organisation and project meet the eligibility criteria.

Before submitting an application, you must speak to a Police Officer, PCSO, police staff member or a Fire Officer who will act as a sponsor for your project.

https://cumbria-pfcc.gov.uk/what-we-do/funding/community-fund

The Community Fund is now open!! Local organisations can apply for up to £2,500 for their projects that help prevent and reduce anti-social behaviour and crime. Interested? Find out more here: https://orlo.uk/u6Qii

17/02/2026

📢 Have your say and help shape the future of youth services in Westmorland and Furness!

Cumbria Youth Alliance, working in partnership with Westmorland and Furness Council, is gathering views on what is working well for young people aged 11 to 25 and where change is needed.

We want to hear from you. Whether you are a young person, parent, youth worker, volunteer, teacher, or part of the wider community, your experience really matters and can help drive meaningful change.

🗣️ 3 quick surveys, lasting impact:

✅ Young People (11–25): https://app.upshot.org.uk/survey/1505a9bf/11208/61261cc7/

✅ Staff & Volunteers: https://app.upshot.org.uk/survey/fac547ac/11209/8ac05185/

✅ Community & Parents: https://app.upshot.org.uk/survey/35fe41ed/11198/60b14d07/

🔁 Please share this post and encourage others to complete the survey that fits them. The more voices we hear, the stronger the case for better youth services across our area.

27/01/2026

Wrigleys Solicitors Event

Wrigleys Charity Leadership Forum (Kendal) – AI-volution – where next for charities and technology?
📅Tuesday 3rd February 2026
🕰️10:00 am - 12:00 pm
🏢 Stricklandgate House, 92 Stricklandgate, Kendal, LA9 4PU

For more information and to book visit:

Laura Moss, partner, and Hayley Marsden, managing associate at Wrigleys Solicitors.Stricklandgate House, 92 Stricklandgate, Kendal LA9 4PU

19/12/2025

Everyone at the Francis Scott Trust wishes you a very Merry Christmas and a happy and peaceful New Year 🎄🎁🎅

As 2025 draws to a close, we have been reflecting on a busy year. The Francis Scott Trust has awarded:
- 36 new main grants
- 11 small grants
- 4 Step Change
& completed 1 strategy review!

In total, 103 grants have been paid totalling just over £1.34 million.

However, this wouldn't be possible without all of the hard work and dedication of the organisations we support across Cumbria and the Lancaster District. A big thank you to you and we hope you enjoy a well earned break 😊

21/11/2025

November is National Care Leavers Month and Cumberland Youth Voice are raising awareness by sending a number of bears across Cumberland.

This bear is called Hope and joined us at last week's Francis Scott Trustee meeting! 🧸

The Enrichment Fund helps care experienced young people to access opportunities, skills and experiences. The fund panel is led by care experienced young people and to find out more visit: [email protected]

26/09/2025

An update regarding the launch of the co-designed Strategic Priorities Fund, an element of Team Barrow’s £5m Barrow Social Impact Fund.

For more information visit: https://barrowrising.uk/strategic-priorities-fund/

Big news for the wonderful voluntary and community groups in Barrow!

Team Barrow is excited to announce the new ‘Strategic Priorities Fund’.

The fund will award £700,000 every year for the next four years to help support those most in need in our town. It’s designed to give the organisations in Barrow’s voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector more stability and resilience.

The deadline to submit an application is by 12.00, on Monday, October 20.

Learn more and access the application form at https://brnw.ch/21wVUUk

15/09/2025

The Third Sector Trends Study is back and your help would be greatly appreciated. Third Sector Trends has been capturing evidence this summer to find out what’s been going on since their last survey of 2022. So far, they have received over 8,000 national responses but responses from Cumbria have been low.

In order to build a true picture of what is happening here in Cumbria, it is important that as many responses are received as possible from Cumbria-based third sector organisations.

Whether you’re big or small - thriving, struggling or just going along as normal – they need to hear from you. It’s quick and easy to do on your PC, laptop, tablet or phone. The study is completely confidential and helps to build a picture about how the voluntary sector responds to and initiates change in society. So, if you’re an amateur sports, dance or gardening club, a village hall, a carers’ group, an arts organisation, a campaigning trust; or if you deliver social or health services, care for the environment or run a hostel or food bank – whatever you do, it’s all equally important.

The study closes on 30th September and the link to complete it can be found here: https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/durham/third-sector-trends-in-england-and-wales-2025-4th-draft

05/09/2025

Last month, the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT) launched the Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund with the aim of providing a range of individual grants to fund locally delivered, highly tailored and targeted interventions that meet the needs of digitally excluded people.

The closing date is 10th September 2025, 3:00pm.

For more information visit: https://find-government-grants.service.gov.uk/grants/digital-inclusion-innovation-fund-2

We’re helping more people get online 🤝💻

The Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund has been launched to help tackle digital inequality across the UK.

Here's why this matters: 1.6 million people in the UK are living largely offline, whilst 7.9 million adults lack the most basic digital skills. This means missing out on job opportunities, paying up to 25% more for things like insurance and travel, and struggling to access essential services.

Local councils, charities and research organisations in England can now apply for funding to develop innovative ways of getting people online in their communities. This could include digital skills support, donating digital devices, or other creative solutions.

We're working with local organisations because they know their communities best. Where new approaches prove successful, we'll use these learnings to shape future digital inclusion initiatives.

This fund is part of our Plan for Change - driving economic growth and raising living standards by ensuring everyone can benefit from the digital world.

Find out more: www.gov.uk/government/news/local-councils-and-charities-urged-to-help-more-people-get-online-with-95-million-government-fund

15/08/2025

Only one day to go until Pride by the Harbourside in Whitehaven and it looks set to be a great day. With live music and headline acts to local food vendors and craft stalls, there's something for everyone! 🏳️‍🌈

Proud and Diverse Cumbria

07/08/2025

Another great opportunity from Tullie in Carlisle. Traineeships for young people aged 18+.

For more information see below 👇

Thinking about applying for a Tullie Traineeship? Need help with your CV? Already applied and want to know more? We've got you covered.

Drop-in Tullie Trainees info & CV writing session:
📅6 August 4-6.30pm
📌City Hall Studio at Tullie

⭐ Chat with members of the Curatorial and Buildings teams about the traineeships
⭐ CV help (feel free to bring yours!)
⭐Practice your interview skills

Find out more about Tullie Traineeships here: https://tullie.org.uk/get-involved/jobs/tullie-traineeships/

These roles are made possible with funding fromThe National Lottery Heritage Fund , with thanks to National Lottery players.



📷Stuart Walker Photography