Current Projects

Training for Tenants

As part of the 2010 Training Programme the Community Development team has run courses on 'Cooking for One', 'Growing your Own Food' and 'Low Maintenance Gardening'. The courses aim to help tenants develop skills for managing their homes and saving money.  The courses have been well attended and have had many social benefits, alongside the learning.  The training has been run in different towns and villages across Eden to make it accessible to all.  Many tenants have left the courses inspired to get home and put their new skills into use. "The tutor was very friendly and informative, the best training I’ve attended.”

Cliburn Community Play Area

This group formed in late 2006 and we have been supporting them every step of the way. There are no play facilities in the village, and with over 130 homes, and 50 children – they are sorely missed. The nearest facilities are in Penrith or Bolton, between 3 and 7 miles away, and no public transport. We agreed to lease a suitable plot of land to the committee and fundraising began in earnest, with raffles, auctions and ceilidhs all adding to the pot. In January 2008 the group were delighted to hear that they were part of the successful Eden District Council ‘play partnership’ bid for lottery funding – adding over £25,000 to their coffers. The group were recently successful in gaining public support throught the ITV Border/BIG Lottery Peoples Millions competition and were awarded £50,000.  We're pleased to say the finally work has started on site, with completion planned for summer 2010.  Contact us at getinvolved@edenha.org.uk for more details

Grisedale Community Garden

The Community Development team recently supported the Community Group that manage Grisedale Community Garden to run an open day event.  This event aimed to raise awareness of this community space and encourage local people to get involved in maintaining it. The day was a great success with local people of all ages turning out to get stuck in to a winter clear-up and spring bulb planting.  The Garden Group was also delighted that its ECHO Grant Application was successful.  They received £500 in early 2010 to put toward fence and seat repairs and the installaion of grab rails.  Contact us at getinvolved@edenha.org.uk for more details.

Work with young people in Alston

Since 2006 we have been working together with Eden Youth Work Partnership (EYWP) to provide regular weekly youth work sessions for young people in Alston. These have included ‘detached’ sessions and issues based youth work using our sheltered housing scheme at Grisedale Croft as a base.  In 2009 there was an exciting development with the opening of a Youth Cafe in partnership with EYWP and Eden Community Outdoors   This youth space 'The Scran Shed' is now open Tuesday and Wednesday nights providing a dedicated  place where local young people can come to meet, relax and get advice and information.  Contact us at getinvolved@edenha.org.uk for more details.

Work with young people in Westgarth, Kirkby Stephen

Work with children and young people in Westgarth began in the summer of 2007. Consultation with young people and the wider community was carried out.  Working with Eden Youth Work Partnership there is now a Youth Space open every Monday night, which is receiving fantastic support from local young people. Contact us at getinvolved@edenha.org.uk for more details.