The Whitehaven Community Trust

Company Profile

Founded in 1990, Whitehaven Community Trust was set up to directly address need within an area of high deprivation. We are a flexible and diverse charitable organisation which delivers socially relevant projects for the benefit of the local community. We are committed to tackling social disadvantage and reducing the impact associated with homelessness, poverty, health and wellbeing, throughout the district of Copeland and beyond. We have over 28 years of experience in running young person’s Supported Accommodation Projects, currently operating the Lowther Street Hostel, Bakewell House Mother and Baby Hostel and Smith House and Wulstan Hall “Move-on” flats. We have supported and housed over 2000 young people in their time of crisis. Over the past 35 years, the Trust has successfully brought innovative new projects to the town centre for the benefit of the local community, most notably; The Market Hall Café - a community café and our flagship project, which during its 20 years of operation, provided training and work experience for 715 young people. The Senhouse Centre – a healthy living centre, opened in 2000, the centre continues to serve the needs of the community by providing a base for therapists, counsellors and support groups. We have over 1200 people a month use the centre The Multi-Storey Car Park - In 1997, the Trust took over the contract to man an underused multi-storey car park in Whitehaven town centre, employing 4 unemployed young men to patrol. With zero vandalism and theft during our 3 year term, the Trust turned the car park into a viable business, employing 10 people in total. This led to the car park being taking over in 2001 by a large private company who continue to employ the existing staff. The Whitehaven Pottery which did produce bespoke items employing local people. It also provided an outreach classroom for Lakes College s computer course etc. Currently being occupied by RSPCA The Tall Ships project - which brought the Square Sail Fleet for a 5 week visit to Whitehaven harbour in 2002, bringing 12,754 paying visitors and a 30% increase in local trade, which was a resounding success for the local area. A pilot scheme of Town Centre Representatives - funded by CBC, SRB, New Deal, European money and the Trust itself, which employed 4 local people from the South Whitehaven Area to patrol the town centre, to ensure a safe and friendly environment. Started a partnership with the CTNW to develop the new Hope Haven Mental Health Hub on King Street which opened in March 2026 . On average 30 people per week engage with the services provided.

Primary Contact

Kerry Maxwell

Chief Executive