A £1 million scheme to transform lives in Mirehouse will start next week.

The Well Whitehaven project is one of only eleven pilot schemes across the North of England to tackle health in a "new and unique way''.

Lasting three years, the project, across all ages, will look at debt, missed educational opportunities, poor housing and loneliness.

It uses local knowledge and networks to find those who live on the estate who can generate and benefit from change. The project is not about "imposing solutions from outside the community''.

On Monday, groups will meet on the estate to start planning the activities and actions which will "help shape a new future for the people of Mirehouse''.

Mike Starkie, Copeland mayor, said: “ It is a huge coup to be recognised as a Well North pilot. The support from business and partners, together with the community helped land this unique opportunity in the heart of Whitehaven.

"We now urge the residents of Mirehouse to get involved and make a lasting change. It’s early days but I feel sure that we have a real opportunity to make a better future for the Mirehouse community.''

Plans include:

  • Investing in the future generation of young people in Mirehouse.
  • Developing relationships with the nuclear industry.
  • Encouraging business development and capitalising on the physical environment.
  • Working alongside a group of eight to 14-year-olds to help them achieve their dreams for learning, earning and being enterprising.
  • Developing high quality learning and education for the whole community.
  • Encouraging local people to get involved and develop new skills across a range of exciting projects.

The Well Whitehaven is part of the national Well North project which is currently taking a "new style approach is to seek local solutions to issues, doing things with the community rather than to people''.

Lord Andrew Mawson, the chairman and director of Well North has visited Mirehouse several times in recent months, meeting the local community, and public and private sector partners.

He is best known for his work at the Bromley by Bow Centre in East London, which became the UK's first Healthy Living Centre, which includes an array of integrated social enterprises based around art, health, education and practical skills.