Cumbria Victims Charitable Trust

The Cumbria Victims Charitable Trust is a UK nonprofit organisation dedicated to supporting victims of crime and anti-social behavior in Cumbria. It operates as a registered charity in England and Wales under the charity number 1160978.

History and Establishment

The trust was established in 2015 by Cumbria's former Police and Crime Commissioner, Richard Rhodes. Its primary goal is to generate additional income to supplement funding from the Ministry of Justice for victims' services in the region[3].

Purpose and Activities

The trust provides financial assistance to individuals who are direct victims of crime and have limited resources. It focuses on supporting those in urgent need, distress, hardship, or sickness caused by criminal activities. Additionally, the trust aids vulnerable individuals who require help to cope with their situation and recover from the impact of crime[2].

The trust also supports community organisations that work to aid victims of crime throughout Cumbria. However, it does not typically support costs such as furniture, home security equipment like CCTV, vehicle damage, uninsured losses, debt, counseling, education, or administrative expenses unless under exceptional circumstances[2].

Governance and Administration

In 2017, the administration of the trust was outsourced to a foundation, which is responsible for managing the application process, advertising the fund, conducting due diligence, and providing annual reports. Despite this, the trustees retain oversight and decide on grant awards[3]. Applicants for funding must be supported by independent case workers or professionals involved in their case[2].

Notable Cases

The trust has provided assistance in various cases, including granting funds to a young victim to replace stolen personal belongings. Such instances highlight the trust's commitment to supporting individuals directly affected by crime[3].

[1] https://cumbriavictimstrust.org.uk [2] https://www.cumbriafoundation.org/fund/cumbria-victims-charitable-trust/ [3] https://www.cumbriafoundation.org/cumbria-victims-charitable-trust/ [4] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/5055258 [5] https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/cumbria/