Age UK South Cumbria LTD

Age UK South Cumbria LTD, founded in 1978 as Age Concern South Lakeland and now an independent partner of the national Age UK network, is a locally governed charity dedicated to empowering older people across South Cumbria to retain independence and exercise choice in later life. Its core ethos—that everyone deserves to thrive regardless of circumstances—drives responsive, holistic services tailored to local needs, including free information and advice, advocacy, befriending to combat loneliness, activity groups for socialisation and wellbeing, and practical support navigating care and entitlements. With a hyper-local focus, trusted reputation, and reach to 18,000 older individuals annually via shops, outreach in towns like Kendal, Barrow, and Ulverston, it blends national resources with grassroots delivery.

Funding priorities centre on enhancing quality of life for those aged 50+ facing ageing challenges like isolation, frailty, illness, poverty, and reduced independence. It invests in direct service delivery, social/wellbeing groups, targeted interventions, exercise and learning classes, and advisory partnerships with local older people's groups and befriending initiatives, filling gaps left by statutory providers.

Eligibility is restricted to South Cumbria-based projects exclusively benefiting local older residents; no specific entity types or income thresholds are defined, though it partners with small to medium local organisations. It does not accept unsolicited applications—contact via phone enquiry first for potential collaborations, with no open rounds, deadlines, typical grant ranges, or published amounts. Funding supports internal and joint service delivery, not external grants, with no religious restrictions but a strict geographic and demographic focus distinguishing it as a specialised, non-competitive regional ally for older people's wellbeing.