Lancaster District CVS

Lancaster District CVS We support voluntary organisations across the Lancaster District in their work to make a difference.

Lancaster District CVS is the city-wide infrastructure organisation for the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector; providing specialist information, advice, development support and opportunities for influence and collaboration. We do this by providing advice and support around governance, fundraising, policies and strategies, building and promoting networks and partnerships, running th

e district's volunteer centre, advising volunteer involving organisations and providing DBS checks, and offering financial services such as payroll and independent examinations. Our Bay Foundation works in partnership with business and the public sector to get money where it is needed in our communities. Funds open for applications include Street Aid (helping people with a history of street homelessness and vulnerable housing), The Eric Wright Charitable Trust Fund (up to £500 for projects in small organisations), The Lancaster Community Fund (up to £1,000 for grass-roots projects which create a more sustainable district), and the Nat Merriman Fund (offering access to arts and cultural experiences for young people).

More local legends to celebrate! 💚🐾 It's our absolute pleasure to help recognise some of the amazing people who give the...
16/06/2026

More local legends to celebrate! 💚🐾 It's our absolute pleasure to help recognise some of the amazing people who give their time to support Animal Care. From the Tea Rooms to the gardens and everywhere in between, you all make a real difference.

Thank you for all that you do! 👏

A fantastic £2.2m has been given to community and voluntary led organisations using easyfundraising.org.uk over the last...
16/06/2026

A fantastic £2.2m has been given to community and voluntary led organisations using easyfundraising.org.uk over the last 3 months alone. All courtesy of retailers giving donations when people shop online. Your organisation can be part of the next funding pay out in August by setting up a free easyfundraising page.

Simply register your organisation as a good cause with easyfundraising and ask your network (volunteers staff, trustees, family etc) to choose you as the cause they want to support. Then, each time they shop online with over 8,000 well known retailers like Tesco, trainline, M&S, Sainsbury’s, booking.com, ebay and many more, they’ll activate a cashback donation for your organisation courtesy of the retailer they shopped with – at no extra cost to anyone.

Be quick – free donations are waiting! https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/lancaster

15/06/2026

🏳️‍🌈 What a day!

It was wonderful to be part of another fantastic Lancaster Pride yesterday, celebrating inclusion, equality and community for all. Thank you to everyone who helped make the day so welcoming, positive and full of pride.

Lancaster District, you did it again! ❤️

15/06/2026

📍From Morecambe to Westminster.

Follow Alys' journey from Morecambe to London as she joins other young people in taking their experiences, insights and recommendations to Parliament, helping ensure young people's voices are heard at the highest levels.

Over the past few months, RISE Young Lancaster District and Lancaster District CVS have had the privilege of working alongside a group of incredible young people from Morecambe to share their experiences of being not in education, employment or training (NEET).

Working in partnership with Lancashire County Council’s Education Improvement Service and Lancaster & Morecambe College, young people took part in workshops where they spoke openly and honestly about the challenges they face, the barriers they encounter and the support they believe would make a difference. Their voices and experiences helped shape the findings and recommendations of a report produced by Lancaster University and The Work Foundation. Read more here: https://tinyurl.com/5fktcz3u

Recently, we were delighted to travel to Parliament alongside the young people to help present those findings and recommendations to government ministers, civil servants and national decision-makers.

For many of the young people, this was a daunting experience. Travelling to Westminster, speaking in influential spaces and sharing deeply personal experiences is no small thing. Yet they did so with courage, passion and authenticity, becoming outstanding ambassadors for Morecambe and for countless other young people facing similar challenges across the country.

What struck us most was the power of lived experience and seeing these young people grow in confidence. Statistics and reports are important, but hearing directly from young people about the realities of navigating education, employment and training opportunities had a profound impact on those in the room. Their stories helped shape conversations and challenged decision-makers to think differently about the support young people need.

Their voices also featured in national media coverage, including Channel 4 News, helping to shine a light on the experiences of young people and the importance of creating better pathways into education, training and employment: https://www.channel4.com/news/jobs-for-young-people-nearly-halved-in-last-decade

We couldn't be prouder of every young person who took part. Their willingness to speak up, share their experiences and advocate for change will help influence conversations far beyond Morecambe.

This work reinforced something we have always believed: if we are serious about improving outcomes for young people, we must involve them in shaping the solutions. The young people who joined us in Parliament didn't just share their experiences; they helped frame the conversation, influence thinking and demonstrate why youth voice must be at the heart of future policy and practice.

Thank you to every young person involved. You represented Morecambe brilliantly and should be incredibly proud of the difference you are making.

We remain committed to bringing together businesses, education, the voluntary and community sector, DWP and local authorities to help create better opportunities and brighter futures for young people across our district.

12/06/2026

Today is Lancaster Day. 🎉

As we celebrate 833 years since Lancaster's first charter was signed, we're taking a moment to celebrate something just as important as our historic buildings, beautiful landscapes and rich heritage…the people.

This wonderful district is something special. From the historic city of Lancaster and its iconic castle to the vibrant communities of Morecambe, Carnforth and our rural villages, generations of people have worked together to make this area a great place to live, work and volunteer.

For more than 50 years, Lancaster District CVS has had the privilege of supporting and working alongside the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector across our district. Since 1972, we've witnessed the kindness, compassion and community spirit that runs through every corner of Lancaster District, shown by volunteers, charities, community groups and local people who make life better for others every day.

So what better opportunity to take a trip down memory lane and enjoy some sepia snapshots from decades gone by. These photographs are a reminder that Lancaster's story has never just been written by kings, castles, charters or famous names. It has been written by neighbours helping neighbours, volunteers giving their time, communities coming together, and ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

Half a century ago, a meeting at Lancaster Town Hall led to the creation of a Council of Community Service dedicated to supporting a growing community sector and improving lives across the district. The challenges our communities face may have changed over the years, but the care, dedication and generosity of local people remains as strong as ever.

So today, on Lancaster Day, we're celebrating the volunteers, community groups and local people who have helped shape Lancaster's past, strengthen its present and inspire its future.

Because the city with a story is, above all, a city with people who care.
Here's to our district, its rich history, its community spirit, and its future.

12/06/2026

Our Mark's made his pledge, have you made yours yet? 🌱

Be a part of something that's helping build a healthier and more sustainable food future for our communities. 👇

Small steps, big changes. 🚭Great to be working alongside local partners to support people on their smoke-free journey.Fi...
10/06/2026

Small steps, big changes. 🚭

Great to be working alongside local partners to support people on their smoke-free journey.

Find out more below...

🌞 Today, our Connecting Communities Development Officer, Sharon, had the pleasure of visiting the wonderful Breathe Easy...
05/06/2026

🌞 Today, our Connecting Communities Development Officer, Sharon, had the pleasure of visiting the wonderful Breathe Easy - Lancaster & Morecambe- Heysham Carnforth & surrounding areas group at St John's Hospice to talk about the work of Lancaster District CVS and the many ways we support charities, community groups, volunteers and local people across our district.

But this visit wasn't just about sharing what we do. It was also about celebrating what others do...

As part of Volunteers' Week, we were delighted to present Volunteers’ Week Certificates of Thanks to representatives Sandra and Bob, in recognition of the incredible contribution of all volunteers at Breathe Easy Lancs.

Groups like Breathe Easy are a strong reminder that community support is about so much more than services. It's about friendship, encouragement, shared experiences and people looking out for one another. For many members, the group has become a lifeline, helping people build confidence, reduce isolation and focus on what they can do, rather than what they can't.

What began as an idea to support people living with respiratory conditions has grown into a thriving, volunteer-led charity supporting dozens of people across Morecambe Bay every month. That growth is only possible because of people like Sandra, Bob and the wider team who generously give their time, energy and compassion to others.

Thank you to everyone at Breathe Easy Lancs for the warm welcome this afternoon, and to all volunteers across our district who make extraordinary things happen every day.

🌟 Celebrating Volunteers’ Week - Thank You Molly! 🌟This Volunteers’ Week, we’re shining a spotlight on the incredible Mo...
05/06/2026

🌟 Celebrating Volunteers’ Week - Thank You Molly! 🌟

This Volunteers’ Week, we’re shining a spotlight on the incredible Molly - a true superstar who wears two volunteering hats here at LDCVS! 🎩🎩

On Mondays, Molly supports Jenny with the directory, creating new listings, updating existing ones, and reviewing older entries to ensure they are clear, accessible, and up to date. Her attention to detail makes a real difference in keeping this vital resource as useful as possible.

On Tuesdays, she works with Catherine on the CYPMAF newsletter, expertly collating information from emails and helping prepare everything ready for circulation. 📩

Molly joined us at a crucial time for both our Community Health work and our RISE Young Lancaster District projects, and with demand increasing, her support has been absolutely invaluable in helping Jenny and Catherine stay on top of essential admin.

She has been an absolute ⭐ from day one bringing incredible IT skills, a willingness to try new approaches, and the confidence to suggest improvements. Her enthusiasm and passion for our work truly shines through in everything she does.

👏 Thank you, Molly - we are so lucky to have you as part of the team!

Volunteers' Week

05/06/2026

🌈 A fascinating journey through a place where history, friendship and community continue to thrive under one remarkable roof.

The Rainbow Centre Morecambe

Address

Lancaster
LA11PX

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

+441524555900

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