The RCF brings together rural community organisations from across Cumbria and Northumberland
October 1, 2025
The Royal Countryside Fund (RCF), brought together over 25 representatives from 12 RCF-funded rural community organisations across Cumbria and Northumberland, as well as members of The National Lottery Community Fund, and other local partners.
The event, held at the Rheged Centre in Cumbria, was designed to allow these organisations from across the two counties to feedback on their work so far and find new ways to work together.
In February 2025, the RCF announced that it would be providing £387,000 of funding to 16 rural communities across Cumbria and Northumberland, in partnership with The National Lottery Community Fund. This funding is part of the RCF’s first county-based programme, targeting rural organisations which have the potential to ‘power up, not prop up’ their communities.
During the morning session, attendees worked through a series of workshop activities to provide detailed feedback on their experiences so far this year, outline the challenges they’ve faced, and ultimately drive the future of the RCF’s support in Cumbria and Northumberland.
In the afternoon, attendees gathered to hear from Cumbria’s Vice Lord-Lieutenant, Lord Inglewood, and receive progress reports from several of those present.
Lynn Barnes, Director of Vista Veg, spoke about the impact of the funding the organisation has received and how trainee food growers have benefited from the programme.
Ryan Dobson, Nature Reserve Manager, and Belinda Lloyd, Habitats and Estates Team Leader, at Watchtree Nature Reserve, spoke about the powerful impact of their project on the local community and the benefits it provides, particularly to those with accessibility requirements.
Finally, Belinda Fairbairn, Project Development Manager at NICRE (National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise), gave an update on the RCF’s ongoing project to build the capacity of rural community organisations in Northumberland, particularly in harder-to-reach areas.
Speaking after the event, Keith Halstead, Executive Director, RCF, said: “The place-based support we are providing in Cumbria and Northumberland is all about working with community-led organisations made up of local people who understand their local conditions and can find solutions that are right for them. It was very inspiring for the RCF to use its convening power to bring together individuals from these organisations to hear how much work has been done so far this year and all the people who have benefitted from these projects.
“Running face-to-face events like this is also an important part of the RCF’s role and a crucial way for us to measure our charitable impact. It’s fantastic to see that our joint funding programme with The National Lottery Community Fund is working to help these groups deliver their vital day-to-day work, but also to make new connections and build their capacity for the years to come.
“We’re incredibly grateful to The National Lottery Community Fund for their support in this new partnership and we want to extend our thanks to National Lottery players, for helping to fund these amazing community-led projects in rural areas across the two counties.”
Following the event at Rheged, some of the RCF team travelled to the ‘Sunny Bank’ market garden, which has been created by Vista Veg over the course of this year.
In February 2025, Vista Veg was awarded £29,960 by the RCF. As well as funding the creation of the Sunny Bank market garden, the RCF support has allowed Vista Veg to deliver training for new entrant food growers, organise community open days and school visits.
During the visit, the RCF team met with some of Vista Veg’s trainee growers, which was a great opportunity to hear firsthand from people who have benefitted from the RCF’s funding.
Find out more about the RCF’s work with rural communities here.
