Barrow is set to receive funding from the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport to support people living in disadvantaged areas to connect with others in their community and engage in volunteering, with the aim of improving wellbeing and pride in place.

It will also aim to generate and share learning which will help to support sustained action beyond the lifetime of the fund, which runs up to March 2025.

Working in partnership with the National Lottery Community Fund, the government has launched the Know Your Neighborhood Fund, a package of up to £30 million funding being delivered by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and designed to widen participation in volunteering and tackle loneliness. Funding will be available to local voluntary and community organisations in 27 local authority areas across England – including Barrow.

Welcoming the announcement, Simon Fell, MP for Barrow and Furness said:

“Barrow is such a strong, tight-knit community. Volunteering is a huge part of Furness life. This fund is most welcome and will help to boost community cohesion in our town.

“Taking part in volunteering and having strong social relationships play an important role in protecting our wellbeing. Volunteering helps to connect communities, helps people to develop their skills and grow their professional and social networks; and helps public services to deliver better outcomes for local communities and places.

“Equally, having strong social connections helps protect physical and mental health and well-being, and drives better outcomes in education and employment.”

Funding will largely be awarded on an individual project basis. Of the £30 million, £19 million is DCMS investment, with additional funding from delivery partners.