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Dear Members

This lands in your inbox in the midst of a week of feverish temperatures and even more feverish preparations for the big summer break.

If you aren’t packing for family holidays, you’ll be planning complicated staff rotas to account for staff on leave. Perhaps you are busy delivering a timetable of summer activities making the best of good weather and the availability of lots of young volunteers and returning university students.

For those of you like me who don’t have to take leave during this busy period the summer is often a lovely calm, quiet period when meetings get cancelled and the email inbox is less hectic. It’s a great time for reflection, tacking stock, planning, seeking out information and reading all those reports and brilliant evaluations you set on one side as an essential read back in the Spring.

If like me, you relish this quieter time have a think about the Health Partnerships Team and ask yourself:

• Is there something about health & care in Cumbria I’ve always wanted to know but never had time to ask?
• Is it time to learn more about what all the fuss is about Neighbourhood Health or the NHS 10 year plan?
• Is it time I caught up with all the recent staff changes in local health systems (new staff in the ICB and NCIC for starters)?
• Is it time I read the fantastic Social Prescribing report created by Cumbria CVS & the North Cumbria Social Prescribing Steering Group? 

If your answer to any of these is yes, then email the Team we are always happy to meet with you and help to ‘untangle the spaghetti’ that is our health and care system in Cumbria.

We hope to hear from you and meet with you and/or your staff. But in the meantime enjoy the sun and for those of you heading off on a summer holiday have a fantastic time.

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

Articles and information about the health-related activities the leisure centres and their staff provide across the county.

Hosted by Barrow Rising’s Work and Health Team In partnership with Flourish – Barrow Rising and Team Barrow

Venue: Barrow Town Hall
Date: Thursday 16th July
Time: 2:30pm – 6:30pm
Free event – drop in at any time. Open to employers of all sizes, including VCSE organisations.

Join us to discover how your organisation can better support employees with physical, mental, and long-term health conditions — and learn about support available for people struggling to access work due to health challenges.

Featuring:
•Interactive workshops from Thrive at Work | WorkWell | BEATS | Furness Sleep Helpline | IPS
•A marketplace of local organisations offering support services for employers, employees, and those seeking to access or return to work
At this event, you will:
•Explore innovative local projects tackling health-related barriers to employment
•Learn about support services for employees and people struggling to access work
•Gain practical ideas for inclusive and flexible workplaces
•Connect with local partners, providers, and stakeholders
•Improve staff wellbeing, retention, and productivity
•Share your insights to help shape future initiatives
Why attend?
Build a healthier, more inclusive workforce while strengthening your business and supporting the Barrow community.
For more information:
clare.paling@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk

Cumbria CVS recently held a meeting (02.07.2026) to gather responses from the 3^rd sector in Cumbria about the recent government request to NENC ICB (North East & North Cumbria ) and LSC ICB (Lancashire & South Cumbria) to consult on and respond to the Government’s commitment to aligning ICB footprints with strategic authorities.

Cumbria CVS was asked to feed back comments from the 3^rd sector about possible changes. You can read this document here.

If you would like to know more about what is happening please read the attached letter here sent from Sam Allen Chief Executive of NENC ICB.

This letter lays out what is being asked of each of the ICBs in Cumbria.

In short this is a request to each of the ICBs to:

• Consider moving NHS ICB boundaries to better fit the NEW Cumbria Combined Authority boundaries
• Explain why it is not feasibly possible to amend the boundaries
• Engage with local partners and prepare a response for NHS England by 14.07.2026

This could result in changes including:

• A combined Cumbria NHS area attached to NENC ICB
• A combined Cumbria NHS area attached to LSC ICB
• Other smaller scale changes

Cumbria CVS is awaiting a copy of the responses sent by both ICB’s and will share these at a future date.

What's on - July - Cumberland Family Hubs.

Are you a young person aged 14-35 years old and living in Cumbria? Have your say by completing the Youth Ask!

If you are the parent/employer of a young person aged 14-35 years who lives in Cumbria, please share and encourage young people to take part.

In 2027, Cumbria will be getting its first Mayor. The Mayor will bring more money into the county and will have the ability to influence decisions on key issues, including transport, housing, training, and employment.

For young people, this is a unique opportunity to have their say in what they want the future of Cumbria to look like.

Young people from Cumbria Future Generation Steering Group are inviting people aged 14-35 years old to complete the Youth Ask, a county-wide survey which asks what it is like to live here, and what needs to change. They will then present these findings to Mayoral candidates to ensure they know what the future generation want for Cumbria.

The survey will only take 10 minutes of your time and all respondents will have the option to enter a prize draw. To complete the survey, follow the link below.

Link to survey: https://tinyurl.com/cumbriayouthask

The NHS Mobile Cervical Screening Bus will be visiting Millom this summer, offering eligible residents the opportunity to attend cervical screening closer to home on:

• 16 July and 13 August 2026
• 11am - 4pm
• Millom Recreation Centre car park

The service is available on a drop-in basis, with no appointment required, making it easier for people to attend at a time that suits them.

Cervical screening helps prevent cervical cancer by detecting changes before they become serious. It is offered to people aged 25 to 64 with a cervix, including women, trans men and non-binary people. Everyone with a cervix is encouraged to attend cervical screening when they are eligible.

Cervical screening is a preventative test that helps identify changes in the cervix before cancer develops. Eligible people are routinely invited for screening by the NHS, typically every five years.

It is important to note:

• Screening is still recommended even if someone has had the HPV vaccine.
• People who have missed a previous screening appointment do not need to wait for a new invitation and can attend the mobile clinic.
• Anyone with a cervix may be eligible for screening, including trans men and non-binary people, depending on their GP registration.

Early detection through screening prevents the majority of cervical cancer cases, making increased screening uptake a key public health priority.

Cumberland HDRC June update

In this month's newsletter
• Community Co-Researcher vacancies
• Partners in Practice: Co-Producing Research That Reflects Real Lives
• Global AI Cities 2026 Conference
• Who belongs in research?
• Co-Production Week 2026
• Who’s Missing? Inclusive co-production in practice webinar
• Valuing and Recognising Lived Experience: from good intentions to fair practice webinar
• Keep in touch

Cumberland Council are inviting local residents to have their say on the future of the Connected Cleator Moor project.

Join them at Cleator Moor Civic Hall on Tuesday 14 July, between 4pm and 7pm, to view the latest plans and speak to the project team. Your feedback will help shape the final designs, so do come along and get involved.

Plans are being developed aiming to better connect Cleator Moor to employment, education and healthcare opportunities beyond the town, while enhancing its character as a vibrant and forward-looking place to live, work and visit.

As part of the proposals, several locations across the town have been identified for potential investment, helping to make it easier and safer for people to travel around the town and connect to wider destinations.

Many people still receive health and care appointments and key information through the post please do let your members and the people you work with know about the following changes to 2^nd class mail:

• No Saturday deliveries for 2nd class mail.
• Deliveries will now take place on an alternate weekday schedule (Monday to Friday), rather than every day.
• The target delivery timeframe remains within three working days.

Please also take this into account when planning any letters that you send out.

Delivery schedules may vary, so it’s important to factor this into your timelines to ensure your communications arrive when needed.

First-class letters, tracked services and parcels are not affected by these changes.

We’re setting up a Making It Real Board and are looking for people with lived experience of Adult Social Care, as well as unpaid carers, to take part.

If you work with people who use Adult Social Care services or care for others, please share this opportunity with them.

The Board brings together people with lived experience, Chris Jones-King Director of ASCH, and senior leaders, to talk about what is working, what needs to improve, and how services should develop. Participants will be asked to:

• Share their experiences
• Help identify what works and what needs improving
• Shape priorities for change
• See how their input influences services

Meetings are held every three months. No previous experience is needed. Participants can also choose to receive payment for their time.

👉 More information: Have your say on Adult Social Care services
👉 Register interest: coproduction@cumberland.gov.uk

CumbriaMed Research Webinar "Allied Health Research: National and Local" - Thurs 23 July 2026, 12:30-13:30

The PCSM Research Hub invites you to join us for the next edition of the CumbriaMed Research Webinar Series, which showcases leading health researchers working in and with Cumbria. Each session features two expert speakers and a live Q&A. The series is open to staff, students, patients, relatives, and the public; all are welcome.

Topic: Allied Health Research: National and Local
Date: Thursday 23 July 2026
Time: 12:30–13:30
Location: Zoom (registration required)

Register: tinyurl.com/pcsm-webi12

Speakers:

• Prof Sarah Elliott - Associate Director of Allied Health Professionals, NCIC, and Professor of Practice, University of Cumbria.

“Research as Part of Everyday Practice”
Sarah is a physiotherapist and senior NHS leader with over 30 years of experience. Her background includes critical care, respiratory medicine, research and higher education, and she now leads work at NCIC that links workforce development with research, innovation and stronger connections between practice and academia.

• Sarah Daniels - Consultant Therapist and Health and Social Care Lead, UK Dementia Research Institute Care Research & Technology, Imperial.

“Occupational Therapy in Translational Research and the Digital Transformation of Dementia Care”
Sarah is an occupational therapist whose work centres on rehabilitation, dementia care and the use of digital tools in everyday life. At Imperial and the UK DRI, she works on smart-home and digitally enabled care research, including MinderCare, with the aim of supporting people to live well and safely at home.

Please see the attached flyer for full details, or contact us at: pcsmresearchhub@cumbria.ac.uk

Hosted by: PCSM Research Hub

Funded by: NIHR Imperial Biomedical Research Centre (BRC)

A unique opportunity to influence the future of healthcare in the county is now available, as North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust (NCIC) is looking for 22 new staff and public governors to join its Governors’ Council.

This year, there are 16 Public Constituency vacancies (Allerdale 3, Carlisle 2, Copeland 4, Eden 3, Furness and South Lakeland 2, North East England and Yorkshire 1, Lancashire 1) and six Staff Constituency vacancies (Allerdale and Copeland 2, Carlisle and Eden 3 and Furness and South Lakeland 1).

Nominations open tomorrow - Thursday, July 9.

For information about vacancies, what is involved, the role of the Governors’ Council and how to submit your nomination go to www.cesvotes.com/NCIC2026 - here you will also find details of how to join an online Governor Awareness Session on Wednesday, July 15 from 12.30pm to 2pm. Closing date is 5pm on Thursday, August 6 - if you require assistance, contact the Returning Officer: ftnominationenquiries@cesvotes.com or call: 020 8889 9203.

Please find attached below the new North Cumbria Recovery College timetables, which begin the week commencing 27th July.

We have a fantastic range of courses, workshops and activities available to support wellbeing, recovery, and personal development. We would be grateful if you could share these timetables with anyone who may be interested.

If you have any questions or would like more information about any of our sessions, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Have you or a family member been diagnosed with sight loss?

Share experiences with others in similar situations and get practical advice and information.

These free, informal course aim to help you increase your independence, boost your confidence and connect with others to share experiences.

Through our session you’ll get practical advice, information and guidance on organisations, products and services available to help you.

Carlisle Sight Support
9 Brunswick Street, Carlisle, CA1 1PB 

Thursday 23rd July 11am - 1pm

Book your place today

Call: 01228 593104
email: carlisleblindsociety@gmail.com

Looking After Ourselves in Grief: the importance of self-care to build resilience and face the future with hope.

Are you exhausted from living with grief?
How are you managing the pain of grief?

Come & join Emma Andrews, Bereavement Counsellor from Eden Valley Hospice and find out more about how you can improve your self-care and resilience.
Informal discussion, shared experience and find support in a comfortable, safe space.

Thursday 30th July 2026
Christ Church Rooms, Cockermouth
10.30am-12pm
All are welcome Entry & refreshments are free

The ICB are hosting an event to promote the Staff Health and Well-being Hub services to health and social care providers, VCSE and volunteers across NENC.

Dr Richard Duggins and colleagues will be providing information about the support and services that are available and how to access them.

Our health and social care workforce are one of the North East and North Cumbria regions' greatest assets and we need to make sure their health and well-being is supported.

This session is for you to find out more about the range of services and how they can support your staff and volunteers  .

When: Wednesday 19^th August 2026 @ 1300

How: MS Teams session

Link to sign up: Health and Social Care providers, Voluntary Sector and Volunteers - Staff Health and Well-being Hub Services available for you

Say hello to Soluna by Kooth!

Our Kooth service is evolving. We're moving it to a new platform called Soluna by Kooth, and we want you to know what that means for you and the young people you support.

Soluna by Kooth builds on Kooth’s existing strengths, while giving young people more ways to explore support, build confidence and connect with human help when they need it.

Young people will soon have access to this new platform that retains the same clinical model, safeguarding standards, governance and professional support, while introducing a more engaging, accessible experience across app and web.

What does this mean for you right now?

There is no action you need to take immediately.

Please continue to signpost young people to Kooth as normal. Kooth is available every day over the Summer. Live chat opening hours remain the same: 12pm-10pm on weekdays and 6pm-10pm on weekends. All other parts of the platform, including the journal and goal setting features, resources, forums and messaging are available 24/7.

We will share updated resources over the summer, including links, images, FAQs and other materials you may need to update your websites, intranets, posters, newsletters or signposting information.

Until then, you can find out more about Soluna by Kooth here.

Connect with us about Soluna by Kooth

Our local team is ready to support your staff and young people with free information sessions and materials. We’ll be there to guide you through the change to Soluna by Kooth. Reach out to us below or contact your local Engagement Lead directly via email. 

Get in touch with the team

The latest updates, opportunities, and upcoming events from Cumbria Digital Inclusion Network.

I wanted to let you know that the scoping process for 2027/28 peer support training places has now been launched. You can find full details of the available courses on page 43 of the attached prospectus.

To help us put together our request to NHS England, could you please indicate how many places you would ideally like for your organisation in the table below? There’s no need to provide names at this stage, but please do ensure you have already identified individuals for the training.

This opportunity is specifically aimed at those currently working in peer support roles. Additionally, there is a Peer Support training grant of £3735 for each individual who undertakes the peer support training.  The funding is to be utilised by the employing service in the best way they see fit to support the trainee to complete the training and it can be used flexibly.  All services must have an Education Funding Agreement in place with NHSE prior to any trainees starting training. NHSE pays the training grant once they have confirmation of starters from the education provider, it is therefore paid in arears and there can be delays in payments being made where they are awaiting confirmation of starters.  Where a trainee commences training and withdraws soon after the training grant will not be paid.

Last year, we received confirmation of allocated places in April, so I expect the process will follow a similar timeline next year.

For more information and to register an interest contact:

Carolyn Watkins (She/Her)

Programme Manager Mental Health Transformation
NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board 
Email: carolyn.watkins@nhs.net  | Mobile: 07341 884412

People First is currently engaging with local residents and organisations in Workington to help shape the future of a new community space on Oxford Street.

As part of this work, we are keen to connect with the many organisations, community groups and services already making a positive difference across the town. We want to understand what is working well, where there may be gaps in support, and what emerging needs local people are experiencing.

Our aim is not to duplicate existing services, but to learn from and build upon the fantastic work already taking place within the community. By listening to a wide range of voices and experiences, we hope to develop a clearer understanding of Workington's strengths, challenges and opportunities for collaboration.

We recognise that local organisations hold invaluable knowledge about the community they serve. Your insight can help ensure that the new community space complements existing provision, responds to local needs and creates opportunities for people to connect, belong and thrive.

If your organisation is active in Workington and you would be willing to share your experiences, observations or ideas, we would love to hear from you.

michelle.watson@wearepeoplefirst.co.uk.

Together, we can help create a welcoming community resource that reflects the aspirations and needs of local people.

Hosted by The Recovery College at The Pit Stop Café, the café provides an informal drop-in opportunity for people to enjoy a brew, meet others, access support, and take part in activity-based and educational wellbeing sessions.

When: Every Thursday (except 16th July), 12:00pm – 2:30pm
Where: Time to Change Community Centre, Kells, CA28 9AN

For more information: 📞 0808 196 1773
📧 chloe@ncrecoverycollege.org
📧 mandy@togetherwe.uk

Apply to Host a Medical Student Community Research Project with the Pears Cumbria School of Medicine

Why Get Involved?

The Pears Cumbria School of Medicine is inviting applications from organisations interested in hosting a funded community research project led by graduate-entry medical students. Over an 18-month period, teams of 5–6 students will work alongside your organisation to investigate a healthcare challenge, review the evidence, engage patients and stakeholders, and develop and evaluate potential improvements.

Host organisations will receive £16,000 in funding and benefit from approximately 750–900 hours of student-led research and improvement activity.

What Support is Available?

The Pears Cumbria School of Medicine provides research-methods support, library access, academic mentoring, and administrative support. Students are supervised by both the host organisation and the medical school, ensuring projects are well supported throughout the 18‑month period.

What Students Can Deliver

Students can support organisations to investigate a service, community, or population health challenge, engage patients, service users, staff, and communities, design and potentially test improvement initiatives and even produce recommendations, resources, and outputs to inform future service development. 

Suitable Projects

Projects can be based in hospital, primary care, social care, or community settings and should focus on improving health outcomes, patient experience, or service delivery.

How to Apply

For full details, eligibility criteria, and application deadlines (including flexibility around submission dates), please visit: Student Community Research Projects - The Pears Cumbria School of Medicine

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:

• Early access to our monthly e-bulletin newsletter
• Focus on Funding online - the latest funding opportunities
• Online Learning Programme (Volunteer Management, Funding and Business Support)
• Evaluation and research resources
• Add your organisation to our member's directory and searchable map
• Advertising of your job vacancies on our website
• Right to vote at our AGM
• Other resources and support in development, including priority/early booking for our training and events

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!