About NEAD

Aims, purposeand values.

NEAD CIC, short for Northern Equality and Diversity, exists to strengthen communities, champion inclusion and create opportunity through community programmes, festivals, live music and youth provision across Cumbria.

Our purpose

We are a purpose-driven Community Interest Company using music, festivals, culture and a dedicated under-18s centre to build brighter communities across the North.

Everything we do is designed to promote equality and inclusion, create opportunities for young people and deliver sustainable projects that generate lasting social value, with every surplus reinvested back into our communities.

What we set out to do

Our aims.

01

Strengthen communities

Deliver high-impact community programmes and public initiatives that bring people together and build stronger, more connected communities across Cumbria.

02

Champion equality & inclusion

As Northern Equality and Diversity, we remove barriers to participation and celebrate the full diversity of our region, from Pride by the Harbourside to everyday outreach.

03

Support young people

Run Cumbria's first dedicated under-18s social venue and create real pathways into learning, volunteering and employment for the next generation.

04

Celebrate culture, music & festivals

Produce landmark festivals and live music events, and through NEAD Hire, provide the staging, equipment and expertise to power other organisations' events too.

05

Reinvest for lasting value

Operate as a purpose-driven CIC where every surplus is reinvested into our community objectives, so the value we create endures well beyond any single project.

What guides us

Our core values.

01

Equality & inclusion

We design services that reflect and serve the full diversity of our communities, removing barriers to participation and opportunity.

02

Rooted in Cumbria

Every programme responds to genuine local need, shaped in partnership with the people and places we serve.

03

Opportunity for young people

We create pathways into learning, volunteering and employment, giving the next generation a real stake in their communities.

04

Sustainable by design

Strong governance and responsible financial management mean the value we create endures well beyond any single project.

Want to be part of it?

From volunteering to partnerships and event support, there are many ways to get involved with NEAD CIC.