Francis Scott Trust

17/09/2026

Exciting opportunity!

Cumbria Family Support are seeking a Chair for their Board of Trustees to help drive the Charity and new 2026-2029 business plan forward.

Cumbria Family Support have been dedicated to supporting children and families across Cumbria since 1993.

If you're interested in becoming a Trustee or would like to find out more, please contact: [email protected]

02/09/2026

A reminder that the webinar to find out more about Cumbria's first ever Shackleton Award is tomorrow (Thursday 3rd September) at 12:30pm.

Please get in touch at [email protected] for more information and to receive the link for the meeting.

27/08/2026

The South Lakes Youth Work Summit 2026 is taking place in Kendal on Saturday 5th September for practitioners and volunteers (18+) working with young people:
📍 Castle Street Community Centre, Castle St, Kendal LA9 7AD
🕦 10.30am-3.30pm
☕🥪 Refreshments & lunch provided
📣 Keynote speaker & variety of workshops.

Don't miss this opportunity to be part of the conversation - scan the QR code on the image to book.

Calling all professionals working with young people!

South Lakes Youth Work Summit 2026 is to take place in on Saturday 5 September for practitioners and volunteers (18+) working with young people:

📍 Castle Street Community Centre, Castle St, Kendal LA9 7AD
🕦 10.30am-3.30pm
☕🥪 Refreshments & lunch provided
📣 Keynote speaker & variety of workshops.

This event - funded by the Francis Scott Trust and Westmorland & Furness Council - will bring together youth workers and sector partners to:

✔️ Strengthen professional connections
✔️ Share innovative practice
✔️ Explore current challenges
✔️ Explore local and national youth work priorities
✔️ Reflect on the future of youth work.

Together we'll discuss how we can we can strengthen partnerships and build a more collaborative, sustainable and impactful future for young people.

Don't miss this opportunity to be part of the conversation - scan the QR code on the image to book.

Francis Scott Trust Youth Presence Cumbria Community Foundation
Family Hubs in Barrow-in-Furness Family Hubs in Eden Family Hubs in South Lakeland

26/08/2026

The Better Tomorrows Awards celebrate the inspiring individuals and projects making a real difference in the lives of young people across Cumbria.

Nominations are open in three categories:
🌟 Youth Worker of the Year
🌟 Youth Project of the Year
🌟 Young Volunteer of the Year

Nominations close at 10am on Monday 28th September and winners will be announced at the Better Tomorrows Youth Work & Celebration Event on Friday 13th November.

To find out more information and to nominate, please visit: https://www.cumbriafoundation.org/programmes/better-tomorrows/better-tomorrows-awards/

We're delighted to announce that the Better Tomorrows Awards are back for 2026 - a celebration of outstanding youth work across Cumbria.

The awards will shine a spotlight on the people and projects making a real difference in the lives of young people. Public nominations are now open for three categories:

- Youth Worker of the Year
- Youth Project of the Year
- Young Volunteer of the Year

Better Tomorrows was launched by Cumbria Community Foundation (CCF) in 2021 with the aim of substantially increasing the number of young people able to access quality youth work and the number of trained youth workers across Cumbria.

David Beeby, former CCF Chair and founder of the Better Tomorrows programme, said: “The feedback we have had from the newly trained youth workers, the young people they support and the organisations they work in tells us that Better Tomorrows is making a huge difference across the county.

“Last year we held these awards for the first time to recognise and celebrate the incredible work happening across our communities – both paid and voluntary – to support and inspire young people. We had some fantastic nominations and the awards evening was an inspirational celebration of youth work at its best. I can’t wait to see this year’s entries.”

Nominations close at 10am on Monday, 28 September.

Nominate at www.cumbriafoundation.org/programmes/better-tomorrows/better-tomorrows-awards

20/08/2026

The Shackleton Award - Cumbria 2026

The Francis Scott Trust is excited to support the Shackleton Foundation as they launch their first ever Cumbria-focused Shackleton Award.

This is a fantastic opportunity for one individual launching a venture that supports children and young people (aged 0-25) facing barriers to reaching their full potential in Cumbria. Up to £15,000 will be awarded as an unrestricted grant as well as membership of and support from their wider leader community.

The successful individual will be supported throughout the "first mile" - often the riskiest and least supported stage of launching a social enterprise.

The Shackleton Foundation are looking for an individual based in Cumbria with a fresh, ambitious idea that:
- solely benefits children and young people
- is in its first 12 months of operation
- is a registered charity, CIC or CIO
- addresses a clear need
- has the potential to grow and become sustainable

Key dates:
- applications open on Tuesday 4th August 2026
- applications close on Monday 2nd November 2026
- applicant webinar to find out more on Thursday 3rd September 2026, 12:30-1:30pm

We hope to see you there 😃

19/08/2026

See below for more info about Escape2Make's Heritage Festival on Saturday 29th August, 11am-4pm.

Here ye🎺Here ye🎺

The Heritage Festival is coming to Lancaster, and we couldn't be more excited!!
Over the past few weeks, the young people of Lancaster and Morecambe have been working very hard to produce The Heritage Festival - a FREE creative event right in the centre of Lancaster!

Join us for a fun day filled with creative workshops, delicious food and drinks, live music, dance, and theatrical performances, and loads more!

📍Dalton Square and Escape2Make
📆Saturday, 29th August
⏰11am-4pm

It's all completely FREE, so why not come along and enjoy a wonderful day out!

13/08/2026

Collective Futures have launched their Local Ecosystems Fund in Barrow-in-Furness.

Collective Futures is a philanthropic foundation dedicated to improving lives and building stronger communities. They focus on early childhood development because the first five years of life are foundational, yet remain underfunded and overlooked.

The Local Ecosystems Fund will invest up to £1.2m over three years in Barrow-in-Furness to strengthen the local early childhood ecosystem.

Expressions of Interest are now open and will close at 12pm on Tuesday 1st September.

For more information, please read through the information pack which can be found here: https://cf-barrow-eoi-pack.surge.sh/

11/08/2026

📣 For the attention of all organisations who work with young people aged 18-25.

❓️ The Readiness to Work programme is a free employability initiative for young people who apply to volunteer for the 2027 Grand Départ. It equips them with key skills in preparation for the world of work.

🗓 Applications to sign up and take part close on 1st September 2026.

To find out more, please visit: https://www.letourgb.com/readiness-to-work/

07/07/2026

Brathay's Big Birthday Bash 🎂

Brathay are celebrating their 80th anniversary and you're invited! Join them at Brathay Hall on Saturday 26th September from 3pm to join in a range of exciting activities 🥳

28/05/2026

New fortnightly jam night music sessions are starting at The Eddington in Kendal on Friday 12th June at 6pm. Open to young people of all ages 🎶🎸🎧