Inspiring Eden Projects

Inspiring Eden’s framework includes an overarching prospectus and a number of specific work streams. These enables an agile and responsive approach to the current and emerging challenges and opportunities faced.  Find out more about the Inspiring Eden programme.

Inspiring Eden is supporting a number of projects, offering both financial grants and project management support and advice.

Read more about some of these projects below:
 

Council supports new skills training centre in Appleby

We are delighted to confirm that Newton Rigg Limited (trading as NR Training) are forging ahead with the new Appleby Heritage Centre, taking possession of the keys to the building this week.  Eden District Council have been working with Newton Rigg Limited to help secure a new location for delivering land-based education in Cumbria.

The new centre, based at Station Yard, Appleby-in-Westmorland, will now undergo refurbishment. With funding from Inspiring Eden the centre will reopen in coming months to provide education and training in a variety of practical subjects.  

Councillor Mary Robinson, Portfolio Holder for Economy and Enterprise for Eden District Council, said: “Eden District Council is delighted to be partnering with Newton Rigg Limited and supporting the return of a land-based skills centre to Eden.”

“Through Inspiring Eden, the Council’s economic development programme, we have provided financial support for the Appleby Heritage Centre project. This will see the return of a range of practical skills’ development courses aligned to National Occupational Standards to Eden.”

“Newton Rigg Limited have recently welcomed new staff onto their team and we look forward to working with them in coming months.”  To find out more visit the Newton Rigg Ltd website and the NR Training website.
 

Council supports student travel across Eden

Eden District Council recently launched a brand new 16-to-19 student's Travel Bursary Scheme.

The pilot scheme – delivered as part of the Council's Inspiring Eden initiative – helps local young people access training and learning in the area.  The scheme has supported 17 young people access education by providing financial assistance to help cover travel costs.  Between them the students travel 920 miles each day to commute to their place of education.

Cllr Mary Robinson, Portfolio Holder for Economy and Enterprise and Deputy Leader at Eden District Council, said, "The geography of our district means that many local young people face a range of challenges in accessing services. This is no more evident than with accessing training and learning opportunities.

"We are already supporting initiatives at Alston Moor Federation and Ullswater Community College, in partnership with Myerscough College, to assist travel for those 16-to-19 year old's undertaking a range of training through these institutions.

"I am pleased we are able to add to these programme to assist local young people access the training they need to achieve their dreams and ambitions.  "I am determined that we work with local people and organisations across Eden to develop projects and proposals that will ensure local needs, demands and aspirations are reflected in the services of the new Westmorland and Furness Council."

Miss Roberts, whose son Fin benefited from the scheme said: “We have had to think really hard about whether Fin could return to college each term if we can afford to pay for his travel.”

“When we first started looking at College my electric bill was £60 a month now it is over £200 so it has been a real struggle to get him there some weeks.  He was in danger of having to change courses but with this grant we can get him there ‘til the end of summer term and he can complete his course.”

The pilot scheme is now closed to new applicants. However, given the success of the first year of the scheme it is hoped Westmorland and Furness Council will consider a similar scheme for future years. 
 

Farmers in Eden reap benefits from farm business support package

Farmers across Eden are benefitting from a package of business support, fully funded by Eden District Council through the Inspiring Eden programme.

A wide-ranging support offer includes one-to-one business advice tailored to the farm’s situation. This could be in the form of a farm business review; assessment of the farm’s potential for current and future environmental payments; help to identify farm diversification opportunities; and support with succession planning or retirement options.

Funding for training and development is also available. Training vouchers worth up to £200 are available for farmers and we have recently awarded three training bursaries for young farmers.

We are now wanting to hear from young people interested in our Farming Ambition Programme for 18 to 30 year olds who want to progress a farming related business idea. 

Finally, the programme includes vouchers worth up to £2,500 to help fund the cost of a full carbon audit and/or soil testing for carbon to help farmers in their journey towards net-zero.

To find out more, visit The Farmer Network website.
 

Inspiring Eden Enterprise Hub

Design and development of a new £8 million facility for rural enterprise creation, development, and growth in Eden is a key component of the district’s ‘Inspiring Eden’ initiative to drive economic recovery, prosperity and levelling up.

The Hub will provide a base to support the development and delivery of satellite enterprise facilities across all our communities with a particular focus on Appleby, Kirkby Stephen, and Alston. This will ensure enterprise and entrepreneurship is placed at the heart of local economies and community life and, as a result, be an exemplar of rural working and living in the 21st Century.

Read the latest updates from the Inspiring Eden Enterprise Hub.
 

How have you been inspired? Inspiring Eden Awards

To recognise excellence and innovation across Eden’s economy, a new award has been launched by Eden District Council as part of its Inspiring Eden initiative.

Twelve awards have been designed and produced and will be used to recognise the organisations and individuals in Eden that demonstrate a strong commitment to achieving rural excellence within the local economy.

Eden has a diverse economy which supports a huge range of industries like agriculture, technology, retail, manufacturing and the visitor economy.  Read more on our Inspiring Eden Award page.