Ulpha, one of the more remote and sparsely populated areas of Copeland, was a risk of losing 10% of its community members if the Almshouse Trust was unable comply with the Environment Agency discharge criteria and update the sewage system that was linked to the 10 social housing properties in the valley. Therefore without the grant from the Copeland Community Fund 10 households were likely to have been made homeless.
Anthea Jones, project lead, said “we were truly delighted when we secured the grant, 50% of the total project cost from The Copeland Community Fund – it was such a relief. The help with the application from the Fund’s Development Workers was invaluable and very much appreciated”.
Anthea added “The Almshouse properties provide accommodation for residents who have lived in the village for over 5 years and who wish remain within their community. Many of the residents participate in village activities and are key members of the community. If the properties had been vacated this would have a detrimental effect on the wellbeing of the current residents of the Almhouses, who would be made homeless and would have had a negative effect on the rest of the community. You could even say that it could destroy the existing strong sense of belonging in the community”.