Dear Members

For those of you sweating your way through August sat at a desk in the office jealously watching all your friends and relatives jetting off for holidays we present the Health & Wellbeing Bulletin that will make your day!! This one is packed full of information and definitely worth a sit down with a cold drink or even an ice cream (other refreshing cold deserts are available 😊).

Back in April we took the opportunity to introduce to you a series of new initiatives that relate to work and health and are starting to deliver against the government’s Get Britain Working Strategy. These are now starting to materialise into projects, programmes and services that are all relevant to our sector. We thought it might be useful to provide a bit of an update.

So here goes, a short update about some of the key programmes where they have got to and where they are being delivered.

Countywide - Connect to work (under governments Get Britain Working Strategy)

Specifically, to support people who are economically inactive, unemployed and those at risk of falling out of work due to their disability or long-term health condition

• Both Councils are funded for the Connect to Work programme with 5 years of funding
• The Councils have now moved towards commissioning and contracting processes, recently holding meetings across Cumbria. Follow this link for slides from the sessions: Cumbria Connect to Work provider engagement presentation.pptx (PPTX, 2.69MB) and information about the engagement process: Cumbria Connect to Work - Market Engagement Session | Enterprising Cumbria
• The councils have recognised that many smaller local organisations wanting to support Connect to Work delivery will struggle to respond to requests to join bids being developed by the many potential large lead organisations. To help alleviate this a directory of interested local services in being built. Lead organisations will be encouraged to use this. If you wish your details to be included in a service directory, hosted on Enterprising Cumbria's Connect to Work website, please complete and return the service directory form.
• Programme delivery is due to start early 2026

South Cumbria NHS area – Work Well (1 of 15 vanguard/pilot sites across England)

• DWP funded project supporting people temporarily economically inactive due to sickness, back to work
• This project is supported by Mind in Furness and local leisure providers – offering a range of mental health & mental wellbeing support and activity to support people with joint and muscle issues e.g. back pain
• Cumbria Health are providing the lead role, single point of access and Work Coach support
• Project is open to referrals from our sector including self-referrals. If you have staff members who could benefit from the Work Coach approach you can also refer them https://cumbriahealth.co.uk/workwell/

North Cumbria NHS area – Health & Growth Accelerator

NHS England funding for a12 months period only.

The project will deliver against 3 main areas:

• Personalized, intensive support Work Well – now due to commence 01.10.2025 with a range of third sector organisations supporting (e.g. CADAS, Citizens Advice, iCAN, Fit4Life, Growing Well, GLL & Together We). This work focuses on people who are currently off work due to health issues (2 sick notes in a 6 month period)
• A Health & Wellbeing Hub for ALL staff across NENC NHS area providing health and care services including third sector aimed at preventing ill health particularly mental wellbeing issues https://northeastnorthcumbria.nhs.uk/here-to-help-you/health-advice-and-support/staff-wellbeing-hub/ and other resources on the BOOST website https://boost.org.uk/learn/health-and-wellbeing-offer/

Cumberland Council area – Health & Work Network

A network of organisations and individuals interested in health at work. A great way to keep up to date about the range of programmes available and/or being delivered around this area. Cumbria CVS Health Partnerships Manager attends as do local organisations including Fit4Life and iCAN.

If you want to know more, please give the Health Partnerships Team a shout.

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

Join Us for the "Poverty Proofing:  Workshop Series! Facilitated by Children North East

Are you ready to drive real change in healthcare access? This powerful sequence of three collaborative workshops is designed specifically for social prescribers who want to deepen their understanding of poverty's impact on health—and create meaningful, systemic improvements within their services.

Please note, that ALL workshops must be attended when booking on.

Workshop 1 will also have an online option which will take place on 20th August 10am-1pm. Click here to book to attend Workshop 1 online.

Workshop Highlights:

• Workshop 1: (3rd September 2025 - 10am-1pm) Dive into comprehensive training on how poverty influences health outcomes.
• Workshop 2: (6th November 2025 - 10am-1pm)Learn compassionate strategies for talking to patients about poverty, capturing patient voice, and identifying barriers to care.
• Workshop 3: (22nd January 2025 10am-1pm) Take your insights to action with practical planning at individual, service, and trust levels.

This is an excellent opportunity to connect with fellow social prescribers, exchange ideas, and work toward a more equitable healthcare system. Together, we’ll explore how to make your service more accessible, more inclusive, and more responsive to the realities of poverty.

Let’s turn knowledge into action—reserve your place today!

For this Meet the 3rd Sector Event with a twist we are partnering with North Cumbria Integrated Care (NCIC) Foundation Trust. Our aim is to provide an opportunity for NCIC’s managers to connect with 3rd sector organisations who can offer support to their staff.

As usual we will be offering a market-place style event that show cases all our sector’s great services
Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle - Wednesday 10.09.2025 1.30pm to 3.30pm

Open to stall holders 1pm for set up

This event is a great way for you and your organisation to connect with a team leads and staff managers from across NCIC and to provide them with information about the services and support you can offer their staff. This could range from support with debt, substance misuse, mental health and mental wellbeing, physical activity, weight management, volunteering, support in a caring role, connecting with community activities, green social prescribing etc etc.

NCIC will be working with senior staff and staff managers to publicise the event and encourage them to attend. The event is being held next to the staff restaurant during shift change-over period to maximise attendance.

We have limited space, so we need you and your organisation to book to attend. 

SORRY - we are not able to offer any power/sockets for stall holders

If you would like to know more about the event please contact:
Clare Edwards claree@cumbriacvs.org.uk
Holly Ferguson HollyF@cumbriacvs.org.uk

Keswick and Solway ICC Population Health Third Sector Showcase.
Come and meet up to 100 staff based at GP practices across the Keswick and Solway Integrated Care area (this includes Aspatria, Dalston, Wigton, Keswick, Silloth, Caldbeck and Kirkbride).

The practices are hoping to understand more about the community support available to their patients so they can improve the health of everyone, especially those who are most in need.

Staff will be encouraged to browse a 3rd Sector ‘Market Place’ over their lunch, 1-2.30pm, then will be free again 3.45-4.15 in between lived experience sessions.

There is space for 20 organisations, 2 per 6ft table provided by the Market Hall, and we can't guarantee any plug socket access.

Practice staff do not need to sign up, only the VCSE organisations who would like a stall.

17th, September 2025 from 13:00 to 16:15

Wigton Market Hall
Church Street
Wigton, CA7 9AA

You are invited to a FREE lunch on 30.09.2025 at Wigton Market Hall, Wigton.

This is an opportunity for you to meet the New team of ICC Third Sector Representative who represent our sector in the 7 ICCs across North Cumbria.

• Find out about how the ICCs work in your area
• Why not offer to come & speak about your organisation’s services at an ICC meeting
• Share new projects and ideas for partnership working that you would like to talk about with other ICC staff
• Perhaps you have a strong lived experience story you want to share with ICC staff
• Find out how you can get more involved in ICCs in your area

The NEW NHS 10 Year Plan talks a lot about Neighbourhood Teams and concepts of delivering health and care services through more integrated Teams. This is your opportunity to come and find out how this is already starting to happen in North Cumbria and how you can get involved.

Ballot closes Monday 18.08.2025 5pm

Following a successful recruitment process we have received expressions of interest from 4 candidates for the role of Cumbria Mental Health Provider Forum Chair.

As we only have 1 available place we need to hold an election.

Each third sector organisation that holds a membership of Cumbria Mental Health Provider Forum and operates a service within the Cumbria footprint will have ONE opportunity to vote for the  candidate they feel will be most effective at representing the third sector in this role.

The successful candidates will become the Chair of Cumbria Mental Health Provider Forum. They will have a significant role representing third sector mental health and mental wellbeing providers both within the Third Sector Network Executive and in a number of other key system-wide integrated structures relating to mental health and mental wellbeing.

The person you choose should be:

• A powerful ambassador for all the great mental health and mental wellbeing services the third sector delivers in Cumbria
• Skilled at describing the third sector’s core skills of innovation, flexibility, working at pace and reach into disadvantaged communities
• Skilled at working in and leading multi-agency initiatives, coproduction and discussions.
• Passionate about providing the third sector with a pro-active, positive voice in mental health and mental wellbeing in Cumbria

Please follow the link below to the ballot and vote for the 1 person you feel is most able to deliver this key role for our sector.

To ensure we adhere to our 1 vote per organisation policy we will need to record some of your details.

Please note:  If we receive more than one vote from staff members/volunteers/Trustees within your organisation we will only use the vote of the most senior staff member/Trustee.

VONNE is delighted to announce the launch of a new round of investments into the VCSE sector through our 2025/26 Healthy Communities & Social Prescribing Grants Scheme.

Funded as part of the ICB’s Healthier and Fairer programme, the scheme will fund up to 8 new projects, with grants of £15,000 to £30,000 available to VCSE organisations.

This new grants scheme aims to strengthen and improve social prescribing and improve outcomes for people living and working across the North East and North Cumbria.

Projects must be delivered by the end of March 2026, and have strategic significance and potential for application across the region. For example, could your organisation:

• help improve social prescribing effectiveness, e.g. by developing new approaches/resources?
• support the development of impact measurement systems and tools for social prescribing?
• help tackle health inequalities in marginalised communities with unmet health and wellbeing needs?
• or promote and build awareness of and value in social prescribing services?

If you are interested in delivering a project in support of any of these priority areas, and are a VCSE organisation based in the North East and North Cumbria region, please do consider applying for the funding.

Full details are available in this HC&SP Grants Scheme Outline.

Applications should be made using this Expression of Interest Form.

EOI forms must be emailed to healthandwellbeing@vonne.org.uk by 12 noon on Monday 11th August 2025.

Applications will be assessed by a panel and decisions notified by Thursday 11th September 2025.

If you have any queries about this Grants Scheme please contact: healthandwellbeing@vonne.org.uk

Northern children are facing increasing food insecurity and obesity

A new report, published by Health Equity North and supported by research from the NIHR ARC North East and North Cumbria, has found that families living in areas of higher poverty, such as the North of England, are less likely to have access to healthy, affordable food and more likely to have children who live with obesity.

The report examines regional inequalities in childhood food insecurity and obesity and reflects on the challenges and opportunities that shape children’s health across the life course – from conception through to early adulthood.

The work includes recommendations for government with a focus on equitable approaches that target those in areas of greatest need

New website helps seriously ill patients to understand their rights and get support.

The new Routes to Rights platform, supported by funding from the NIHR ARC North East and North Cumbria, helps patients find financial, practical, and health support that could make a huge difference to quality of life.
The development of the Routes to Rights site has been led by Dr Colette Hawkins, an experienced Palliative Medicine Consultant with University Hospitals Tees.
She said: “There are lots of services offering advice and support, but it can be hard to know where to go, or what to ask. Services often work separately from each other and the system isn’t joined up at all. People often find themselves lost, or battling, to get the support they are entitled to by law.

“The Routes to Rights site helps everyone understand their legal rights when they are ill or looking after someone else who is ill, and makes it easier for people to get the right advice and support when they need it.”

Economic inactivity is a major policy priority in the UK, driven by concerns over both labour shortages in key sectors and rising numbers of people unable to work due to health issues. This issue is highly complex, involving diverse groups with varied barriers to work, highlighting the need for a more proactive and tailored support approach. It is a prevalent, persistent and increasing issue in Cumbria. with far reaching implications for individuals, their life chances and prospects, and the local economy.

GC Insight have been commissioned to deliver a detailed and comprehensive analysis of economic inactivity in Cumbria. The study will provide vital evidence and the main guidance for potential actions to inform the development of Cumbria’s Get Britain Working Plan

VCFSE organisations will often be working directly with economically inactive people. Your frontline knowledge is crucial in helping us understand the real barriers people face and the support that makes a difference. Your input will help us build a deeper understanding of the challenges and impacts of economic inactivity in the region and guide future action.

We would like to invite your participation in a short consultation. Please contact Olivia Wilson olivia.wilson@gcinsght.co.uk to let us know some dates and times over the next two to three weeks that would work for you for an online consultation, and we will arrange this with one of the research team. It won’t take more than an hour.

If you’re unable to take part, we would welcome a recommendation of a colleague who may be better placed to do so, and if it’s more appropriate for us to speak to a small group, we can do this too.

Please don’t hesitate to contact Olivia  if you have any questions or require any adjustments during the consultation.

In the Bulletin this month:

• National Neighbourhood Health Implementation Programme
• Volunteers wanted to help us shape the next generation of the Boost website
• New wellbeing resource launches (for all health & care staff/volunteers)
• Lots of FREE training opportunities

A new Emotional Health and Wellbeing Service Directory has been developed for Westmorland and Furness, bringing together a wide range of services and resources to support the emotional wellbeing of children and young people across the area.
The directory is intended to help professionals, organisations, and community partners quickly identify appropriate support for children, young people, and their families.
Services are organised by Key Area and tagged with relevant Key Themes—including topics such as anxiety, bullying, and SEND—to make navigation simple and intuitive. Each listing includes full service descriptions and direct contact details via embedded hyperlinks.
Organisations are encouraged to share the directory widely with their networks and service users.

Upcoming Learning Event –Embedding Healthy Speaking Up Cultures: Organisations Listening, Learning and Leading for Safer Care

Date: 15 October 2025 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Online (MS Teams)

Join us for an engaging and practical learning event hosted by the NHS Culture Transformation Team, where we’ll explore how NHS organisations can build psychologically safe cultures that support and encourage colleagues to speak up without fear.

This session puts the lived experiences of NHS colleagues at the centre of the conversation—highlighting the importance of creating environments where people feel safe, respected and heard.

We’ll explore how Freedom to Speak Up (FTSU) concerns can go beyond risk identification to become powerful tools for learning and continuous improvement. Through the lens of the Culture and Leadership Programme (CLP), the session will offer practical ways that leaders, managers, HR teams and FTSU Guardians can use to embed psychological safety, openness, and trust are embedded into everyday practice.

You’ll hear from national and local voices who are driving real culture change—from compassionate leadership and overcoming barriers to case studies packed with practical insight.

Date: 15th October 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Online via MS Teams
🔗Click here to book: Embedding Healthy Speaking Up Cultures: Organisations Listening, Learning and Leading for Safer Care | NHS England Events
Places are limited – please book early to avoid disappointment.

Ygam is a national charity which aims to safeguard young people from gaming and gambling harms. Ygam’s fully-funded workshops enable practitioners and parents/carers to have proactive conversations with children and young people about their digital wellbeing, with particular focus on gaming and gambling.

Topics include:

• The overlap between gaming and gambling and how young people are increasingly exposed to harm
• The influence of advertising, social media and sporting events, including Esports
• Decision making ability in young adults and motivation theories for gaming
• Barriers to seeking help and how to spot the signs of harm
• How to start the conversation and signpost effectively

To find out more and register for a workshop, visit Ygam’s website www.ygam.org/training or email training@ygam.org

Westmorland & Furness Council have now launched a Crisis Support Scheme (funded by the Household Support Fund) for vulnerable residents across the Westmorland and Furness council area, aimed at helping people stay healthy at home while reducing the pressure of energy costs.

Through this scheme, eligible households can access a range of free support, including:
• Fuel vouchers of up to £300
• Energy-saving appliances such as electric throws, air fryers, microwaves, and dehumidifiers.
• Access our professional draught-proofing service to help keep homes warmer and reduce energy waste.
This support is specifically targeted at residents who are in crisis or vulnerable situations. Alongside these measures, each household will also receive tailored energy advice to help them achieve ongoing savings and improve their wellbeing in the long term.

Referrals can be made in the following ways:
• By email: homes@futureproofcumbria.org.uk
• By completing our webform: Apply for Homes Assistance - Futureproof Cumbria
• Or by phone: 01768 216 500

The AGM took place on Tuesday 29 July 2025, 10.15am - 11am at The Durham Centre, followed by a Board meeting at 11.15am.

Both meetings were be streamed live on the day, with details available on the ICB's website.

NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB is pleased to announce that, following a robust and inclusive recruitment process, Aaron Cummins has been appointed as the organisation’s next chief executive, pending formal national approval.

With over two decades of senior leadership experience within the NHS, Aaron will bring strong leadership and skills to the role and financial and quality improvement experience. Aaron is currently chief executive at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust and will join in November. The ICB will benefit from his leadership of the Lancashire and South Cumbria Provider Collaborative and build on his knowledge of the ICB through his partner member role on the ICB Board.

The latest the Cumberland Council Social Prescribing Newsletter for August 2025.

For adults who have recently received a diagnosis of a long term health condition, and their carers and families Run by Psychological Therapists from the Physical Health and Rehabilitation Psychology (PHRP) Service.

North East and North Cumbria ICB has agreed a NEW  Oral Health and Dental Strategy 2025-27, the strategy aims to reduce health inequalities, prevent dental disease and improve access to high-quality dental care.

Our annual report summary for 2024 - 25 highlights the many shared achievements with partners, including:

• innovations to improve patient care
• work being done to tackle smoking and alcohol harm
• clinical conditions plan to help prevent and treat the illnesses that affect our communities most
• work underway through our housing, health and care, and health and growth accelerator programmes to reduce the inequalities

The latest newsletter from the North East and North Cumbria Provider Collaborative is available. It includes the 2024/25 annual report and podcast with chair Ken Bremner, a sneak peek of the upcoming medicines manufacturing centre, and much more.

Designed and delivered by the HDRC programme in Cumberland the Art of Wellbeing aims to bring communities together across Cumberland in a celebration of self-expression and collective imagination.

The project aims to engage communities in using the power of arts to create meaningful expressions of our community, health, and will explore how creativity can be a tool for individual and collective wellness as well as health research. The project will culminate in an exhibition of the community-created artwork.

Dates though out August and September  from Gosforth to Carlisle and out to Maryport and many more

In early July the government published it’s NEW 10 Year Health Plan

Just in case you missed it the first time round here is the great article/summary put together by NAVCA. The link below takes you through to their article which summarises the paper from a voluntary sector perspective, with a focus on the key themes relevant to the local VCSE sector and the role of local infrastructure and ICS-VCSE Alliances.

What the 10 Year Health Plan means for the voluntary sector

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) makes sure pharmacy is safe and effective for patients and the public. They are inviting patients, carers, and members of the public to share their views on pharmacy services across Great Britain.

There are two easy ways to get involved – and you’ll receive Love2Shop vouchers as a thank-you for your time.

Join the GPhC Public Panel

Take part in occasional online activities like:

• Quick surveys
• Reading short documents and giving feedback
• Optional interviews or focus groups

You’ll receive Love2Shop vouchers for each activity – the amount depends on the task.

Activities are offered from time to time, either to the whole panel or selected groups.

Join the Public Panel here

Join the GPhC Patient and Public Voice Forum

Be part of a small group (around 20 people) who meet online twice a year to share their experiences and help shape the GPhC’s work.

As a forum member, you’ll:

• Attend two virtual meetings a year (1.5 hours each)
• Share your views and lived experience
• Suggest discussion topics
• Provide feedback between meetings
• Commit to being a member for at least one year

You’ll receive £30 in Love2Shop vouchers for each meeting you attend.

Apply to join the Patient and Public Voice Forum here

Who Can Join?

Anyone living in England, Scotland, or Wales – as long as you’re not a registered pharmacist or pharmacy technician.

Any questions?

Contact communication@pharmacyregulation.org

Healthwatch W & F joined other Healthwatch Together partners at a unique NHS commissioning event in Preston, working alongside commissioners, engagement leads and insight teams from across Lancashire and South Cumbria. Together, we took part in dynamic "check and challenge" discussions to ensure public insight is central to how local NHS services are planned.

The W&F Healthwatch team shared feedback from the communities of Westmorland and Furness – including work on transport, women’s health, autism and more – helping shape a more responsive, collaborative and people-focused future for local health and care.

Healthwatch Together supports NHS commissioning insights - Healthwatch Westmorland and Furness

Healthwatch Westmorland & Furness Annual Report for 2024/25 is available here:

HWW&F Annual Report 2024/2025

HDRC and Cumbria CVS are really excited to be starting the recruitment of the NEW Community Co-Researcher roles that will support the work of the HDRC and ensure research reaches right out into communities whose voices are seldom heard.

Many of you will already be connected into the work that Cumberland Council’s Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC) are doing. If not follow link to find out more:

https://www.cumbriaobservatory.org.uk/health-determinants-research-collaboration-hdrc/

HDRC are now working with Cumbria CVS to build a NEW Team of Community Co-Researchers

The aim is to recruit a group of 16 Community Co-Researchers who will support vital, community-led research across the area that reduces health inequalities.

Co-Researchers should have lived experience and the role could suit people from a wide range of backgrounds, including those with experience of health challenges, inequality, or community involvement.

Cumbria CVS, in partnering with HDRC, to recruit and support the Team of Community Co-Researchers (CCRs)

Co-Researchers can choose to take on the role as a paid opportunity or a voluntary one — whatever works best for them.

No prior research experience is required. Full training and ongoing support will be provided. What matters most is a willingness to listen, learn, and share insights to help ensure research reflects real lives and local voices.

This role could suit people from a wide range of backgrounds, including those with experience of health challenges, inequality, or community involvement.

Find out more about working for Cumbria CVS here

Download the job specification and person specification here

If you want to know more come along to our next Cumbria Action for Health meeting (online) 12.08.2025 – details in this Bulletin. Bridget Johns from Cumbria CVS and Becky Clarke from Cumberland HDRC will coming along to tell us about the roles and the work they will be doing.

Grants are available for registered charities in the UK that are at least one year old, with an annual income between £20,000 and £150,000. The programme supports work aimed at reducing health inequalities and offers funding alongside access to training and development.

Amount: Up to £10,000, plus training valued at £5,000.

Deadline: 11 August, 5pm.

More information and to apply: GSK Community Health Programme

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 and Funding newsletter first)
Governance Support
Add your organisation to our member's directory and searchable map
Advice
Policy Templates
Training and events
Funding support
Networks
Free job adverts
Volunteering support
Right to vote at our AGM

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

Funding
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!