On Thursday, July 17th, 2025, a comprehensive report shedding light on the current opportunities and challenges facing West Cumbrian communities will be launched at an online event on Tuesday, July 29th at 4pm.
This launch will also introduce a new interactive dashboard, providing a dynamic and user-friendly platform to bring the data to life like never before.
The report, entitled “West Cumbria: Opportunities and Challenges 2025”, was commissioned by Sellafield Ltd and produced by Cumbria Community Foundation. It serves as an update to a previous report published in 2019.
The initial report laid the groundwork for the Transforming West Cumbria social investment program, a groundbreaking initiative funded by Sellafield Ltd and delivered by the Foundation to address the area’s most pressing social challenges.
Since then, the region has faced significant changes due to the Covid-19 pandemic and a growing cost-of-living crisis, reshaping its social and economic landscape. In light of these developments, the new report provides an update on six key themes: Growing Up, Employment & Skills, Living, Health & Wellbeing, Ageing Well, and Strong Communities.
The 2025 report highlights significant progress in certain areas, such as a strong sense of community with over 15,000 volunteers, quality schools, and a thriving visitor economy. Additionally, the region is globally recognized as a Centre of Nuclear Excellence, providing thousands of jobs and specialized expertise in the sector.
However, the report also reveals a notable increase in mental health referrals, with the area having the second-highest suicide rate in England. Furthermore, the region has a rapidly aging population, high rates of childhood obesity, and concerning levels of personal debt.
Accompanying the report is an interactive dashboard, a dynamic and user-friendly platform that will be regularly updated with the latest data. This tool is designed to allow individuals to explore the findings in real time, identify trends, and support evidence-based action across the region.
Tracey West, Senior Social Impact Manager at Sellafield Ltd, stated, “So much good work has been done since the first West Cumbria: Opportunities and Challenges report was published. We know how effective the Transforming West Cumbria program has been in changing lives for the better. A recent independent evaluation confirmed it had generated £19.9 million in social value so far – delivering an incredible £5.34 for every £1 invested.”
She continued, “But we are also acutely aware of how great the need still is in our communities and how an unprecedented pandemic alongside a major financial crisis have exacerbated existing issues and presented new difficulties to resolve. Importantly, 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 Programmes and Partnerships at Cumbria Community Foundation, added, “Updating this report has enabled us to take a deep dive into some of the key data and look at where life has improved for West Cumbrians, and where there is still work to be done.”
She also emphasized, “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. This area has an incredibly powerful network of voluntary, community, and social enterprise organizations, and we know that the solutions to many of these problems lie within our communities. By working together with businesses, charities, community groups, and individuals, we can achieve significant and lasting change.”
The official launch of West Cumbria: Opportunities and Challenges 2025 will take place at an online event on Tuesday, July 29th at 4pm. All are welcome to attend and can book their place at the online launch.
The report also includes inspiring stories of change from across West Cumbria, highlighting efforts to address some of the most pressing issues in recent years.
One of these efforts is the Freedom Project, also known as West Cumbria Domestic Violence Support. Since 1997, this organization has been providing support to families suffering from domestic and sexual abuse. It receives funding from the Family Wellbeing strand of Transforming West Cumbria.
In recent years, demand for the charity’s services has steadily increased, with an especially significant rise seen during the Covid-19 pandemic. Referrals increased by 30% last year.
Manager Vicky Pike 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 after leaving an abusive relationship said, “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
