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Dear Member

Welcome to yet another bumper edition of the Cumbria CVS Health & Wellbeing Bulletin. We do hope that you take the time to sit and read it.

Articles cover all aspects of health, wellbeing and care across all parts of Cumbria. They’ll be something for everyone, whatever your reason for logging in and reading.

You’ll find information about:

• Statutory sector partners (NHS, Integrated Care Boards, Foundation Trusts, Mental Health Foundation Trust, Public Health, Adult Social Care, Children’s Services, primary care and much more)
• Mental health services, services for people with physical health issues, services for children and young people, services for people with a learning disability, services for people with neurodiversity, services for people at the end of life, services for people who have complex health, care and social issues and services for people trying to stay active and healthy
• Third sector organisations, new services, existing services and changes to services

You’ll find information about:

• Training and learning opportunities
• Meetings and networking opportunities
• Opportunities to get involved in service planning and development

This is your Bulletin it’s edited with you, your staff, and the people you support in mind. It’s full of all sorts of information we think could be important for you.

BUT - the Bulletin wouldn’t be what it is without you.

We need a constant supply of information from you, and we rely on you to send us your information and updates.

• If you don’t see stuff that is useful to you LET US KNOW and we can find ways to source this information
• If you don’t see enough information from your ‘neck of the woods’ send us more and encourage others in your area to send in information
• If you have good sources of information, you think we are missing out on, link us up, we love to share a good source of knowledge

This Bulletin regularly goes out to over 900 individuals who we know share their copies more widely.

It’s a fantastic place you get all your health, wellbeing and care news all in one place on a regular basis.

As always thank you for reading.

Share but don’t bother about the like and subscribe buttons the Bulletin will simply drop into your inbox once a fortnight if you join our mail list!

https://crm.cumbriacvs.org.uk/civicrm/gdpr/comms-prefs/update?reset=1

We look forward to hearing from you

To contact the Health Partnership Team just email below:

Clare Edwards Health Partnerships Manager
claree@cumbriacvs.org.uk
Holly Ferguson Health Partnerships Administration Officer
hollyf@cumbriacvs.org.uk
Sarah Penn Health Partnerships Support Officer
sarah.penn@cumbriacvs.org.uk

Keep up to date with our network events Padlet, which contains all of the information/presentations from each of our speakers at our recent Action for Health and Mental Health Provider Forum meetings. 

We understand that minimising the impact of poverty on healthcare provision is key to breaking the link between an individual’s income and their opportunity to live a long, healthy life. Our Poverty Proofing© team experts can support healthcare teams to listen to the experiences of their patients, staff and stakeholders on how poverty impacts them. We can then provide tailored guidance, built on evidence and tested methods, on what actions can support improvement in areas such as access, participation, experience and long-term engagement.

What will you gain from the training

Staff will gain understanding and awareness about:

-How poverty is defined
-Poverty statistics in a national and local context
-The causes and consequences of poverty
-The unconscious bias and stigma surrounding poverty
-The link between poverty and health outcomes
-How organisational practices can create barriers to accessing healthcare
-Why a whole system approach is needed when addressing health inequalities
-How the lived experience of individuals can be used to inform change

The two session dates are below

10th March 2026 9.30am-12.30pm

26th March 2026 12pm-3pm

To book your place, click the preferred date above

Clinical HealthPathways why are they important to the third sector & why you should get involved?

HealthPathways is an on-line resource which offers clinicians locally agreed information about health issues and conditions to make the right decisions, together with patients, at the point of care.
HealthPathways is designed and written for use during a GP consultation. Each pathway provides clear and concise guidance for assessing and managing a patient with a particular symptom or condition and who and how to refer them on for further tests and information. IMPORTANTLY Pathways also include information about other services including third sector organisations who can offer support and information to patients and their carers.
Content is developed collaboratively by general practitioners, hospital clinicians, and a wide range of other professionals including staff from the third sector. Each pathway is evidence-informed, but also reflects how services are delivered locally.

Third sector organisations can get involved in 2 ways:
1. Every fortnight new Pathways are published in draft form. You can get involved in commenting or asking for information to be added to the Pathway document. See below for the latest list.
2. Most important we want you to check through the Pathways and add your organisation’s information/website details to the Patient Information and/or Staff Information sections if you think it would be useful for GPs and other health staff to give patients your information
Username: NCumbria
Password: Partnership
Other pathways that have recently been published for comments/additions are:

Chest pain

Angina

Bleeding in Early Pregnancy and Ectopic Pregnancy

Scabies

Westmorland and Furness Council is launching a ‘Community Conversation’ on the future of care for older residents and is inviting VCSFE organisations to take part via an online survey for stakeholders.

The engagement programme, called “A Place Called Home: Your living choices in later life”, takes place over three weeks from Monday 9 March to 30 March across Westmorland and Furness. It will help inform the council’s future strategies for all aspects of its support for older people’s independence and wellbeing, including:

• adaptations, technology and personal support to help people remain in their own home
• reablement support and intermediate care beds to help people return to their own home after a spell in hospital, or avoid the need to go into hospital
• access to the right mix of affordable specialist housing offering support and care
• modern residential care, with facilities and services that are fit for the future
• specialist support for people living with advanced dementia

The online survey for residents focusses on awareness and preference for future living accommodation choices. The stakeholder survey is a wider opportunity to give views on the whole area of support for older people’s independence and wellbeing, and to influence the council’s future direction.

Both surveys will be live from Monday 9 March at the council’s A Place Called Home landing page.

We are writing to provide an update regarding the planned reopening of referrals to Safety Net. Referrals were due to reopen on 1 March; however, following a review, we have made the decision to extend the pause slightly.

Referrals will now reopen on Tuesday 7 April.This extension allows us to continue strengthening our internal processes so that when referrals resume, we are able to respond more efficiently and reduce the likelihood of future pauses. While this is taking a little longer than anticipated, it is an important step in ensuring we can manage capacity sustainably.

Age Friendly South Lakeland is looking to gain insight from our local farming populations about living and working on a farm within South Lakeland. Life on a farm is unique - full of challenges, rewards and hard-earned wisdom. As our farming community continues to change and our farming population grows older, we're looking to better understand the real experiences, views and needs of farmers across South Lakeland. We'd really appreciate your thoughts on:

• What life is like as a farmer today
• The challenges and opportunities you're facing
• Experiences around ageing in farming and planning for the future

Your voice matters and sharing your perspective will help shape support for farmers of all ages in our area. Have your say by completing our survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/farmer-reduced

It will only take a few minutes and will make a real, local difference.

Please share with others in our farming community who may not be online.

Thanks for everything you do to keep South Lakeland growing.

You are invited to the launch of Jay’s Personalised Safety Planning Toolkit, through a series of in-person roadshow events across the North of England.

The toolkit has been coproduced and designed to support the embedding of a more personalised approach to safety planning. It can be used across health and social care settings, as well as individuals themselves, their families, friends, and wider support networks. In these roadshows we will introduce the toolkit, explore how it can be used in practice, and provide space for discussion, networking, and refreshments.

The sessions are open to anyone with an interest in safety planning, including practitioners from across health and social care, as well as individuals who may use safety planning themselves, along with family, friends and other support people.

The events are free to attend, but registration is required. Please use the link below to view dates, locations and to book your place at one of the roadshows:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/jays-study-research-team-120845581801

If you have any access, reasonable adjustment or dietary requirements, there is space to let us know on the booking form.

We’d be grateful it you could share this information and link with your colleagues and networks who may be interested in attending.

For more information, contact us via email – jaysstudy@cntw.nhs.uk

A great opportunity to Network with other organisations supporting children and young people in Cumbria and to get great information, learning and training opportunities

The Group produce regular Newsletters (see attached)

What’s in this VSRG update?

• Youth Work Training Update
• Have Your Say: Help Shape the Future of Youth Services in Westmorland and Furness
• Families First Partnership (FFP) Roadshows

Appleby Hubs new Thoughtful Tuesday’s offer starting from March.

- Creative cafe/Walk &Talk - 1st TUESDAY OF THE MONTH 10-2pm Join us & Carlisle Eden MIND for a crafty session, with an option to get some fresh air with a guided Walk & Talk.

- SEN Support Group - 2ND TUESDAY OF THE MONTH 9-1pm A supportive group for parents/carers of SEN children, come and chat, craft in a warm, supportive, inclusive space

- Dementia Carers - 3rd TUESDAY OF THE MONTH 10-2pm A group for dementia carers, come and chat, craft and receive support in a warm, welcoming, non judgmental space.

- Men’s cafe - 4th TUESDAY OF THE MONTH 10-2pm Come and browse the books, have a coffee, , stay for a chat, learn more about what’s available in Appleby

No need to book just drop in - any questions pop into the Hub and see Jane or email
jane.farkins@right2work.org.uk

All of the attached courses are totally free, and they are designed to do some or all of the following:

• learn new skills,
• support their children’s learning
• gain qualifications and work skills
• improve their health and wellbeing
• make new friends
• have fun!

If you have any questions about any of the attached courses or would like to enrol, please contact penrithadultlearning@cumbria.gov.uk.

This resource aims to equip parents and carers to listen well, start difficult conversations and know where – and when – to get support for their teenager.

It’s great to see local representatives of the third sector are part of high level conversations about NHS changes and impact on our sector.

In early February both Joe Hannet and Lisa Taylor (Lanchasire & South Cumbria and North East and North Cumbria strategic representatives of the third sector), in their roles as North West and NENC and Yorkshire regional representative for Alliance42, and the other members of the Alliance42 Leadership Group met with Sir Jim Mackey, Chief Executive of NHS England.

The meeting focussed on promoting positive relationships between the VCSE sector and the NHS, particularly in light of the current changes to Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) and Foundation Trusts.
The conversation felt positive, with further meetings being scheduled with key national leads.

Full report will available on the CQC website  Council media release published on our news page this morning.

Cath Walley Director of Adult Social Care for Westmorland & Furness Council says:

‘We are pleased with the report, which reflects our strengths and our knowledge of where we need to improve further.  It was gratifying to see our partnership and community working highlighted and rated “Good”, which reflects our brilliant work together in South Cumbria. Thank you to all our partners and to those who took part in the CQC assessment process.

Our overall rating of “Requires Improvement” was at the very top end of that rating banding, meaning we missed a “Good” rating” in just our third year as a council, by just one percentage point.’

Up to 250,000 more people with health conditions will receive support to stay in or return to work, as the WorkWell programme is to be rolled out across England. The expansion follows successful pilots supporting over 25,000 people with tailored physical and mental health support.

In the North East and North Cumbria, our Integrated Care Board (ICB) was one of three regions selected to test this type of approach, after securing £19 million from the Government's Health and Growth Accelerator fund.

In the Lancashire & South Cumbria area funding was received from DWP to trial a similar WorkWell approach.

Funding is being used in our region to support new services, including WorkWell advisors who offer one-to-one support in GP practices and other local services, providing help with getting fitter, mental health support, tackling money worries, getting therapy or dealing with drug or alcohol problems. In less than three months, the advisors have already helped hundreds of people.

Both programmes will now continue to deliver and develop over the 2026/27 year.

The Government has published its landmark Violence against Women and Girls Strategy. The strategy focuses on healthy relationships and consent, helping to tackle relationship abuse, and prevention through better educational initiatives in school settings to address misogyny.
Read Clinks and Collective Voice's responses to the strategy.

A new evidence hub from the Health Foundation explores health inequalities in the UK and the factors that drive it, including our surroundings and relationships.

From 1 April 2026, the eligibility criteria for the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) programme will change to allow people aged 80 years and over, and all residents in care homes for older adults, to receive the RSV vaccine on the NHS.

This single does vaccination was previously offered to people as they turned 75 years.

The timing of the introduction of this expansion will enable providers to offer co-administration with the COVID-19 vaccine during the spring 2026 campaign to individuals eligible for both vaccines.

If you are getting questions from family, colleagues and or people using your services find out more here:

The team undertaking this research aims to understand and evaluate how community multiagency first response mental health crisis pathways in England work, who they work for and why, in response to the policing strategy ‘Right Care Right Person’.

They want to speak with people with different backgrounds and experiences.

• Do you have lived experience of a mental health crisis?
• Have you called for crisis help for someone you care about (family/friend)?
• Do you work within services that respond to mental health crises, such as NHS mental health services, A&E, ambulance, police or voluntary organisations?

If you are interested in taking part or want to find out more, please contact your local research assistant.

Name: Sara Long

Email: sara-jaye.long@cntw.nhs.uk

Website: https://www.cntw.nhs.uk/services/research-and-development/pioneer-mh/

A proposed Cumberland Council budget for the next financial year has been agreed. It sees continued investment in services and local communities despite a challenging financial situation.
Members of the council’s Executive committee met in Carlisle on Tuesday 17 February to consider and agree budget proposals before they go to the Council meeting on Tuesday 3 March.
The budget includes £371m for the day-to-day spending of the council to pay for essential services such as waste collections and disposal, road repairs, public health, children's and adult social care, and leisure services.

Pick up a copy of the new Family Hub timetable in your local family hub or search for activities online at Cumberland Family Hubs.  

There is something for every family whether you are looking for play sessions, support or just a friendly place to chat. 

We need your views to help shape local services.

Cumbria’s Health & Wellbeing Boards (Westmorland and Furness and Cumberland) are gathering views from the public about local pharmacy services.
Your responses will help us understand how pharmacies are used and what services people need.

This information will be used to inform the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment, which helps plan pharmacy services across Cumbria.

This survey will take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete

Cruse Bereavement funding to support bereaved people living in Cumbria and Lancaster areas LA1-LA6 has come to an end. 

This means that self referrals for 1:1  Bereavement Support sessions are paused until further notice.  Anybody already on our lists will continue to receive support, free of charge as usual, and we still have a fully functioning team of over 40 trained volunteers based here in Cumbria.  

Contact for more information:

CumbriaArea@cruse.org.uk

Cruse Bereavement Support Cumbria North Region

Our administrators work part time hours and response time may vary.

Cumbria Branch Helpline Voicemail: 0300 600 3434

Work on implementing a Neighbourhood Health approach is getting underway in North Cumbria this briefing, due out on a regular basis should help you to keep up with what is happening.

The notes are designed as a simple, regular way to stay connected – giving a snapshot of what is happening across the programme, highlighting progress and sharing learning from across the region.

Rach Stanton and the rest of the Neighbourhood Health and Care Team (Lucy Delaboe & Alison Cocker) say …..

‘At the heart of the Neighbourhood Health Programme is collaboration: between services, communities, partners and people. Through these briefing notes, our workshops, forums and other activities we hope to keep the conversation flowing, celebrate what is working well and be open about the challenges we are navigating together.’

The Briefing covers:

• Reflections on North Cumbria Neighbourhood Health Workshop 11.02.2026 (over 10 representatives from the third sector attended including ICC Reps, Network Chairs, Board Reps)
• Governance refresh
• National Guidance
• Next Community Engagement Forum & details of how to join up (next meeting 19.03.2026)

Westmorland and Furness Council is consulting on proposed changes to arrangements for Blue Badge holders across our car parks.

The council recently adopted a Parking Strategy highlighting improvements planned for on and off-street car parking it has responsibility for. This describes how we plan to use this coordinated approach to support better delivery of parking outcomes for our local businesses, communities and visitors, while contributing to wider council aims.

For Blue Badge holders, it is proposed that the council has a single consistent approach to Blue Badges across our car parks. Therefore, it is proposed that all Blue Badge holders will be entitled to three hours free parking on our car parks, but only in the designated accessible (Blue Badge) parking bays, and when displaying their Blue Badge. The Parking Service will be required to implement a revised parking structure to help achieve the enforcement improvements.

Take part in the consultation and share your views

As part of the ICB's WorkWell programme, you can also access the staff wellbeing hub which offers free, confidential, rapid-access psychological support. Again this service is freely available to people working across the VCSE sector involved in health and care work. Alongside one-to-one support, there’s a growing programme of wellbeing offers.
Wellbeing offers include:
• Online Yoga
• Drink Coach
• Self-compassion sessions
• Mindfulness
• Therapy groups
• Stress less group

There is also a health and wellbeing support offer available on the Boost platform here for all staff and volunteers, including those working in the VCSE sector, across our region.
It includes resources for emotional, physical, and financial wellbeing, self-help guides, virtual resilience workshops, fitness and lifestyle tools including popular wellbeing apps.

If you would like to receive the monthly newsletter from the NENC Staff Health and Wellbeing Hub team, you can contact them on email: hubstheword@cntw.nhs.uk with subject ‘Briefing sign-up’.

For those of you who aren’t aware of the Partnership they are a fantastic network of organisations who provide bereavement support or who have an interest in bereavement support in Cumbria. Members come form all parts of the system including:

• Hospices
• Cruse
• Samaritans
• North Cumbria Integrated Care
• South Cumbria ICB

And many, many more.

Covering Family and Bereavement Support

Bereavement and Family Support - Hospice at Home Carlisle

Bereavement and Family Support When someone has a serious illness or loses a loved one, our Family Support Service is here to help. We offer a safe, place where people…

Family and Bereavement Services in West Cumbria | Hospice at Home West Cumbria

Family and bereavement services offers support to patients and their families before and after bereavement. Our team offers emotional support to help with coping, loss, grief, and bereavement through...

Grief/Comfort Cafes

Comfort Cafe - Eden Valley Hospice

A post on Eden Valley Hospice provided by: https://www.edenvalleyhospice.org

Compassionate Café Barrow | St Marys Hospice

We warmly invite you to join us at our Compassionate Cafe’s which take place at both St Marys Hospice in Ulverston and St Marys Hospice Community Hub in Barrow.   Our Compassionate Cafe’s offer a s...

Suicide Prevention Conference 2026

https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=d2001558b39ba98e69fc31f3427b673c9d96b66eb2a01efc7c6d9374cab4…

Suicide Prevention Conference 2026 - Every Life Matters

A post on Every Life Matters provided by: https://www.every-life-matters.org.uk

The Partnership is supported by Wes Wilson who volunteers through Cumbria CVS. If you would like to know more about the Partnership and/or join please do connect with Wes:Wesley.wilson@cumbriacvs.org.uk

Follow this link for more information.

The CSCP is delighted to announce that we are holding a Safeguarding Week from 9 - 13 March 2026.
Safeguarding Week is a dedicated time to raise awareness, refresh knowledge and strengthen our collective responsibility to protect children and young people in Cumberland.

The NENC ICB is now well underway with their strategic commissioning transition programme – a significant piece of work set in motion following the national announcement last March, which saw ICBs needing to refocus our role as strategic commissioners. As a strategic commissioner, the ICB is the payor for NHS services and works for the people of the North East and North Cumbria, making sure NHS care delivers the best value and outcomes for everyone.

For NENC ICB, this means reducing their spend on running the ICB by 32% - a £32.5 million reduction. This has required careful thought about how they are structured and led, ensuring they remain focused on what matters most: improving outcomes, tackling inequalities and securing the best value for our population.

As part of that process, the ICB undertook a review of their executive team. The following appointments have been made, and from 4 May, the executive team will comprise:

• Chief Nurse – Dr Hilary Lloyd
• Chief Medical Officer – Dr Neil O'Brien
• Chief Finance Officer – David Chandler
• Chief Operating Officer – Jacqueline Myers
• Chief Corporate Officer – Claire Riley (key VCSE connection point through the VCSE Partnership Programme)

This marks the beginning of the ICB’s transition. In the coming weeks and months, they will complete the restructuring of the wider organisation to ensure they are aligned with their strategic commissioning role and are financially sustainable for the future. The ICB recognises this is an uncertain and difficult time for colleagues and stakeholders and does not underestimate the impact this will have.

Information about:

• Turn Research Into Action: Cumberland HDRC Research skills training programme: bookings now open!
• Curiosity: Finding the ‘who’ and ‘what’
• Capability: Your guide to the ‘how’
• Co-Production: Working together to build a culture of participation
• Champion: Take the lead
• Book your space
• Bespoke Training
• In other news
• Free Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) training session for research staff based in Cumbria

Please see below the new dates when we will be taking HARRI back out during March, if you would like to join us, please do be in touch, if you are planning any events and wanted HARRI please email me. 

Please follow the link if you want if you would like to visit HARRI
https://www.communityroots.lscft.nhs.uk/whats-on/where-is-harri
Click here for more information

All the latest from the Trust | February 2026.

In this edition we have news of the recent publication of the White Paper and SEND Reform consultation. We understand this is a lot of new information for families, so we have provided links to key documents that provide summaries of the proposals and what they might mean for you and your family.
We also have news of our new SEND Local Offer for Cumberland - the Local Offer is a statutory resource that we always want your feedback on. If you have used the new Local Offer, please take some time to tell us your thoughts on the feedback survey included. We are always looking to make improvements, and are currently working with SENDAC and our statutory partners to make sure our content is parent/ carer friendly and reviewed regularly.
We also have an update from our Principal Educational Pyschologist, who is answering some of your questions. This is as well as an update on recent news from our South Cumbria and Lancashire ICB.

The Council are relocating customer service provision in Wigton and Keswick to the towns’ libraries.     

This move ensures local people can access help, advice and council services more conveniently and forms a key step in improving access for residents and strengthening the council's community-based offer.  

In Wigton, customer services will move from The Market Hall reception, a building which is operated by the North Allerdale Development Trust (NADT) into Wigton Library on High Street from 1 April 2026. A receptionist service for NADT will continue until 31 March 2026.  

In Keswick, customer services has now been relocated from the Town Hall on Main Street into Keswick Library on Heads Lane.  

The changes are being made following feedback from residents and local organisations, with the council taking steps to relocate some essential services to better support those who need them. 

The new Cumbria Combined Authority has been formally established, unlocking at least £333m in long‑term investment and devolved powers to improve transport, skills, jobs and economic development across the region. Its first meeting will take place on 18 March, with leadership shared between Cumberland Council and Westmorland & Furness Council until the first mayoral election in 2027. 

Notes: Enterprise Cumbria will be working to the NEW Cumbria Combined Authority and delivering CONNECT to WORK (all the same staff will be delivering)

In an effort to support more people to attend hospital appointments especially those on benefits or low incomes North Cumbria Integrated Care (NCIC) have update their information about how to claim transport costs.

Follow this link to find out more:

Travel Costs for Appointments :: North Cumbria Integrated Care

The leaflet includes:

Did you know you may be able to claim for your travel costs?

Have you or your child been referred to a hospital or NHS site for NHS treatment or tests?

If so, you may be able to claim back travel costs.

Who can claim for travel costs?

You must be getting one of the qualifying benefits or be eligible for the NHS Low Income Scheme. Qualifying benefits include:

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
• You receive Universal Credit

Other people who are can claim are:

• Dependents (children) of those receiving one of the qualifying benefits
• Those living in a care home or accommodation provided by the local authority
• Asylum seekers receiving government support
• Young people aged 16 and 17 supported by the local authority
• You must have an appointment that a doctor or dentist has referred you to.
• Your appointment must be on a separate visit to when the referral was made.
• You can claim travel costs for an escort if a doctor or dentist says that someone needs to travel with you for medical reasons.
• You cannot claim help with travel costs if you are visiting someone in hospital.

Also provides links to the claim form.

Do you have a passion for improving your community? Can you lead and empower others? 

There’s still time to shape the future of Flimby, Ellenborough and Broughton Moor - we’ve extended the deadline for applications to become Chair of the Pride in Place Neighbourhood Board. Applications are open until 13 March. 

The area will get £20m to invest over the next ten years, and you could be part of that legacy. 

The voluntary chairperson will: 

• be a champion for the programme
• convene and lead the Neighbourhood Board 
• work closely with council officers, the MP and others 
• champion community engagement 
• ensure delivery of outcomes 

The role is voluntary, part-time and requires around eight to 10 hours each month.  

Cumberland Council Social Prescribing Newsletter March 2026. 

From 1st April 2026 Westmorland and Furness Council has commissioned Qwell, delivered by Kooth Digital Health, for all adults aged 18+ across Westmorland and Furness.

Qwell.io is a safe, free, and anonymous online mental health service for adults. It provides access to personalised support, self-help tools, and a team of BACP-accredited counsellors and wellbeing practitioners. Support is available 24/7, 365 days a year

Qwell offers adults (18+) immediate access to early mental health support. With no waiting lists or thresholds, we provide early intervention to prevent needs from escalating to a crisis point, ultimately reducing pressure on frontline NHS services

Launch Webinars

Please see below in the Bulletin FREE Launch Webinars

A series of FREE weninars to introduce the NEW FREE online mental health services for adults in Westemorland & Furness council area.

All professionals working with adults in Westmorland and Furness are invited to join one of four Qwell launch webinars taking place throughout March 2026. These sessions provide an opportunity for all professionals, whether new to the service or already familiar with Kooth and Qwell, to learn more about our service and how adults can benefit from the support available. All webinars are free of charge. 

The session will cover:

• Qwell as a mental health support service
• Keeping our users safe
• The evidence based outcomes from online delivery
• Where we fit in the care pathway
• How we support you to refer people to Qwell
• Q&A

To reserve your place on one of our Westmorland & Furness specific webinars, simply complete the quick online booking form.

April 15, 2026 @ 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Castle Green Hotel, Kendal

Join us for an informative and interactive day exchanging knowledge, ideas and best practice amongst cross-sector partners supporting the Armed Forces community!

Registration is free, and open to any professional or volunteer from public, private and VCSE sector organisations delivering services across Cumbria.

Refreshments and lunch provided.

Agenda and further details to be announced.

This event is organised by One Vision Uniformed Services (OVUS).

Forces Wellbeing Collective Cumbria Roadshow | Forces Wellbeing Collective

Please join us for the rescheduled roadshow events. We’re inviting you to join our upcoming Families First Partnership roadshow, where we’ll be sharing how the programme will work in practice – and, importantly, what it means for your service.

These sessions are a chance for us to come together, understand the changes ahead, and make sure we’re all pulling in the same direction. Families First can only succeed with strong, active involvement from all our partners. Your insight, experience and day‑to‑day work with families are essential in helping us build an approach that truly meets local needs.

By attending, you’ll help shape how we work together, influence the support model, and make sure your service is represented in the decisions that will affect families across our area.

Your contribution really does matter, and your voice will help ensure we create the best possible support for the families we serve.

Thank you for your continued commitment and patience:

Monday 16 March - Wigton Market Hall 13:30 - 15:30

Monday 27 April - The Oval Centre, Workington 13:30 - 15:30

Monday 27 April - Valley Family Hub, Whitehaven 09:30-11:30

Thursday 30 April - Millom Family Hub  11:30 - 13:30

Our latest post has key updates, including funding and project opportunities, representative roles and working groups you might want to get involved in and much more.

The latest vacancies in Cumbria, from across the sector. You'll also find vacancies with Cumbria CVS here too.

Cumbria CVS offers a free membership service for Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) organisations throughout Cumbria. This membership gives you access to our free services, including:

Newsletters (get our monthly e-bulletin first)
Focus on Funding online - the latest funding opportunities
Governance Support
Add your organisation to our member's directory and searchable map
Advice
Policy Templates
Training and events
Funding support
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Free job adverts
Volunteering support
Right to vote at our AGM

If you want to receive the latest news, events and updates on:

General sector info for your area
Our volunteering network
Volunteering vacancies
Our Action for Health and Mental Health Provider Forum networks
Trustee network
+ more

You can sign up for individual newsletters and manage your subscriptions to our mailings, all in one place!