New Report Sheds Light on Opportunities and Challenges for West Cumbrian Communities
On Thursday, 17 July 2025, a comprehensive report examining the current state of West Cumbrian communities will be launched at an online event on Tuesday 29 July at 4pm. The report, titled “West Cumbria: Opportunities and Challenges 2025,” was commissioned by Sellafield Ltd and produced by Cumbria Community Foundation. It provides an update to a previous report published in 2019, and will introduce a new interactive dashboard to bring the data to life in a user-friendly and dynamic way.
The original report served as the basis for the groundbreaking Transforming West Cumbria social investment program, which was funded by Sellafield Ltd and delivered by the Foundation to address the area’s most pressing social issues. However, since its publication, the Covid-19 pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis have significantly altered the social and economic landscape of the region. The 2025 report takes a closer look at six key themes: Growing Up, Employment & Skills, Living, Health & Wellbeing, Ageing Well, and Strong Communities.
While the report highlights some areas of progress, it also reveals the increased challenges that West Cumbrian communities are facing. It recognizes the strong sense of community in the area, with over 15,000 volunteers, good schools, and a thriving visitor economy. Additionally, the region is globally recognized as a Center of Nuclear Excellence, providing thousands of jobs and specialized expertise in the sector. However, there has been a concerning rise in mental health referrals, with the area having the second-highest suicide rate in England. It also has a super-ageing population, high rates of childhood obesity, and alarming levels of personal debt.
The interactive dashboard that will accompany the report is an interactive platform that will be regularly updated with the latest data. It is designed to allow users to explore the findings in real-time, identify trends, and support evidence-based action throughout the region. Tracey West, Senior Social Impact Manager at Sellafield Ltd, stated, “The interactive dashboard will enable people to explore the findings in real time, identify trends, and support evidence-based action across West Cumbria.”
Dr. Jenny Benson, Director of Programs and Partnerships at Cumbria Community Foundation, added, “Updating this report has allowed us to take a deep dive into some of the key data and examine where life has improved for West Cumbrians, and where there is still work to be done. One thing the report makes clear is that despite the many opportunities West Cumbria has to offer, too many people live in poverty or face challenges and too few achieve their potential.”
The official launch of the report will take place at an online event on Tuesday 29 July at 4 pm, and all are welcome to attend. The report will feature stories of change from various communities in West Cumbria, highlighting efforts to address some of the most pressing issues in recent years.
One such story is that of the Freedom Project, also known as West Cumbria Domestic Violence Support, which has been providing support to families affected by domestic and sexual abuse since 1997. The project receives funding from the Transforming West Cumbria’s Family Wellbeing strand. In recent years, the demand for the charity’s services has steadily increased, especially since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Last year, referrals increased by 30%.
Vicky Pike, the manager of the charity, shared, “Demand for our services continues to rise. Last year, we supported 607 people. We have increased our staffing levels to help meet demand and allow people to receive immediate support once they reach out.” One woman who received support from the charity after leaving an abusive relationship stated, “Being able to speak through what happened helped me process the trauma in a safe and secure environment. Before the support, I couldn’t see myself reaching 23; now I am planning far ahead into my future, and I can’t believe the difference in myself.”
To attend the online launch or read the full report, visit https://pressat.co.uk/.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.