CARLISLE FCO

Our membership is made up of 11 community centres and one community organisation, all deeply embedded in their local areas. Spanning a large and diverse geographical region, each member organisation serves communities with unique needs and varying levels of deprivation. CDFCO’s mission is to empower these organisations, providing the tools, guidance, and collaboration needed to deliver maximum benefit to local residents in the face of limited funding.

Between 2019 and 2022, we successfully delivered the “Carlisle Communities Together” project, funded by The National Lottery’s Reaching Communities fund. This initiative established a Community Centre Development Manager who, alongside our Trustees, strengthened partnerships between member organisations and expanded CDFCO’s reach. Over the project’s three years, we supported member centres in improving service delivery, building networks, and increasing community engagement. This work not only advanced our shared goals but also demonstrated the power of collaboration in overcoming challenges.

CDFCO has also been at the forefront of addressing pressing issues affecting the Carlisle District. From organising children’s holiday activities that engaged hundreds of young people, to coordinating food security efforts that provided essential support for families in need, our initiatives are focused on making a real and lasting difference. Tackling social isolation, enhancing youth services, and fostering community resilience remain central to our work.

At the heart of CDFCO is a dynamic and skilled volunteer Trustee Board. Comprising trustees and managers with hands-on experience in running community organisations, the Board brings an exceptional range of expertise to the table. Their skills in strategic leadership, project development, financial management, and community engagement ensure that every initiative we undertake is both impactful and sustainable. Guided by a shared passion for creating positive change, our Trustees drive innovation and growth while staying deeply connected to the communities we serve.

If you represent an organisation interested in joining CDFCO, we warmly invite you to become part of our network.