The area of Westmorland and Furness is a historic and scenic county of northwestern England. Geographically the third largest local authority in England, it is home to approximately 225,000 people. Some of the county towns are in rural areas, which can make it difficult for people to have a choice of local services and supports that work for them.

Community Catalysts partnered with the council to increase the number of community micro-enterprises in the area providing care and support. In 2022, it launched the community micro-enterprise project in the South Lakes, initially in partnership with Cumbria County Council, and with Westmorland and Furness Council after the local government reorganisation in 2023.

Giving people more choice and control over the support they choose

Over 2022-24 the work of the local Catalysts resulted in the creation of a vibrant network of community micro-enterprises that provide a wider choice of care and support to older and disabled people in their homes.

With 125 people receiving 400 hours of support each week, the project has increased the local care and support offer to people. Personal relationships are also at the heart of the community micro-enterprises. While they offer support that is flexible and responsive to the person’s needs, they also foster rich connection with others, which supports people’s quality of life.

Key achievements of the project:

• There is more choice locally for people who draw on care and support and people can choose to have a Direct Payment to pay for their support from a community micro-enterprise.
• Local jobs have been created by community micro-enterprises in South Lakes, Furness and Eden. People can work locally, earn an income and make a positive difference.
• Commissioners, local health and social care teams and people seeking care and support know that good support is available. As a result, people can choose from a range of care and support options locally.

A local social worker said:

“I have found the Community Catalyst and the community enterprises really useful, and I’ve used them a lot… there has 100% been a reduction in unmet need”.

Read the full project report to learn more about the project and what was achieved in Westmorland and Furness.

Small Good Stuff in Cumbria

As part of the community micro-enterprise development project, Community Catalysts offers Small Good Stuff in Cumbria. Small Good Stuff is a directory of care and support services. If people, families or professionals are seeking care and support in the area, they can search the directory to find local community micro-enterprises doing great things.

The impact goes on

The team of Catalysts (group coordinating the project) was key to the success of it, supporting people to set up their own community micro-enterprises. They also supported enterprise leads to set up and run their own peer support networks. This was so community micro-enterprises could continue to benefit from each other.

The team also worked with Westmorland and Furness Council’s commissioning and adult social care teams, who are keen to continue connecting community micro-enterprises with people looking for care and support.