“We are a Walney based community hub which strives to meet the needs of our community.”
WALNEY COMMUNITY TRUST
Walney Community Trust has been in existence since 2003.
The aims of the Walney Community Trust, which underpin all our activities, are those which were established in the original Declaration of Trust, our governing document, in December 2003:
(a) to provide facilities for recreational community and other leisure-time occupation in the interests of social welfare, and according to Christian principles, for persons who have need, by reason of their youth or age or social and economic circumstances, and with the object of improving their conditions of life in Walney in Barrow-in-Furness, as the Trustees may from time to time think fit;
and
(b) to relieve persons who are in conditions of need or hardship or who are aged or sick, and to relieve the distress caused thereby in the said location and in such other parts of the United Kingdom or the world as the Trustees may from time to time think fit.
FUNDING
As a Trust, we are entirely dependent for our funding upon the generosity of external funding bodies and the gifts of private individuals. This funding enables us to pay the salaries of all our staff, maintain our premises and resource our activities and projects.
Several of these funding bodies, in particular, have been faithful and generous in their support of the work of the Trust over a number of years.
OUR STAFF
In addition to these key staff, we employ other staff, supporting the youth work and community activities.
We are also very grateful for the contribution of our willing volunteers!
Cheryl Shields
General Manager
Lynne Wilkes
Administrator
Laura Powell
Lead Youth Worker
Laura Fieldhouse
Lead Community Worker
Sarah Jackson
Community & Youth Worker
Yvonne Shields
Deputy Lead Youth Worker
Lin Weathers
Adult MentorOUR ACTIVITIES
The Trust provides a wide range of youth based and community based activities and events. These activities and events are based at our building, Spring Mount Hall, Amphitrite Street, Walney opposite the Co-Op.
Youth activities include fully inclusive, weekly Youth Club sessions, organised according to age groups, with issue-based sessions and a focus on emotional resilience and wellbeing, as well as more typical youth club activities such as crafts, games, music, excursions and more.
In addition, we can offer support in the form of 1 to 1 mentoring sessions and work with small focused groups by our youth workers.
Up to date and detailed information on youth activities can be found as follows:
- Facebook: @walneyyouthclubatwct
- Instagram: @walneyyouthclubwct
Our Community activities and events are aimed at supporting both individuals and families to improve mental & physical health and wellbeing, isolation, poverty, and the environment.
These activities and events include community meals, toddler sessions, family entertainment, health and wellbeing activities, seasonal events and much more!
In addition, we offer support to in the form of 1 to mentoring and small focused groups with our female adult mentor.
Up to date and more detailed information on community activities can be found as follows:
- Facebook: @walneycommunitytrust
OUR TRUSTEES
We are a group of seven Trustees, meeting formally as a governing body at least six times per calendar year:
Jeff Chadd
Trustee since 2020
Jeff is a retired teacher of modern languages, working locally at Cartmel Priory School, Ulverston Victoria High School and latterly as Deputy Principal at Barrow Sixth Form College; at retirement, he was Assistant Principal/Head of Sixth Form in the newly merged Furness College. Born in Manchester, he has lived in Barrow since 1990.
Hannah Croskery
Trustee since 2003
A mum of two, Hannah is the Deputy Headteacher of a local primary school, with a particular responsibility for the development of information technology to assist learning. Apart from moving away to attend University, she has lived in Barrow all of her life. She has been involved with the Walney Community Trust for 20 years and is proud of how the community is served by each and every team member.
Hannah is our Designated Trustee for Safeguarding.
Alan Docker
Trustee since 2003
A lifelong Barrovian, Alan was responsible for the Trust's inception after he acquired the Walney building. He has led it from its embryonic state to the present position, all the while sourcing funds to sustain and progress the youth and community work.
Peter Docker
Trustee since 2020
Peter is a lifelong Barrovian and has worked for 20+ years entirely in the public sector in an IT role in schools and now the local council. He also serves as a governor for Newbarns Primary and Nursery School.
Peter is our Designated Trustee for Health and Safety.
Sue Phipps
Trustee since 2025
Sue, originally a Londoner, has lived and worked in the Furness area since 1990, when she qualified as a Social Worker for children and families. She has also been a foster carer, but now works part time in the Driving Theory Test Centre in Barrow.
Sam Taylor
Trustee since 2025
Sam is a mum of 4 and originally from Leeds but has now lived in Barrow for almost 20 years. Previously employed at Walney Community Trust before leaving to concentrate on running her family business.
Sam is our Designated Trustee for Equality and Diversity.
Shirley Waters
Trustee since 2010
Shirley, now retired, has lived in Barrow all her life. She previously worked in an Estate Agents, an Accountants and a Solicitor’s office, where she acted as Deputy Superintendent Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages, and performed many marriage ceremonies. On retirement, she managed the Barrow and District Disability Association. She is also a Trustee for Boxes of Hope, Cumbria, distributing shoe boxes at Christmas to disadvantaged children in Romania.
Shirley is our Designated Trustee for Finance and Risk Management.
ADDRESS
Spring Mount Community Hall,
Amphitrite Street, Walney,
Cumbria LA14 3AR
(opposite the Co-Op)
Phone: 01229 471676
