Dear Member,

As hot sticky days turn to more overcast hints of autumn, it’s all systems go in relation to building and delivering Neighbourhood Health Teams- a new national initiative designed to transform how care is delivered in communities across England. These teams are a cornerstone of the recently published 10-Year Plan - and key for delivering the government's vision of healthcare and prevention.

In the last month both of our NHS areas in Cumbria (North and South) have submitted bids to be a part of the first wave of the National Neighbourhood Health Implementation Programme (NNHIP). Both applications are built around a full system approach and aim to use ICCs (Integrated Care Communities) as the building blocks. Our sector has been involved in helping to develop both bids. Successful areas will hear by or around 05.09.2025.

Whether the bids are successful or not, the neighbourhood approach will progress in some form, building on the solid foundations laid by our Integrated Care Communities.

With this in mind, there is an excellent opportunity to meet our newly elected Third Sector representatives on our North Cumbria ICCs. There are 7 leadership groups: Carlisle Urban, Carlisle Rural, Cockermouth and Maryport, Copeland, Eden, Keswick and Solway, and Workington. It will be a chance to find out more about what's already happening and how you and your organisation can collaborate. Click here to book onto the event.

Click here to view the Guide to ICCs in South Cumbria.

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.

Free face-to-face fully funded training. 

Wigton Market Hall, Church Street Wigton, CA7 9AA

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

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

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 Representatives who are the voice of our sector in the 7 ICCs across North Cumbria.

• Find out 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 delivering health and care through more integrated services. 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.

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 importantly 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:

Unintentional Weight Loss in Adults

Carer Stress

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 have two requests to make of you:

1. Support from you to disseminate / promote an anonymous survey to local people who are economically inactive.
2. Your participation in a short consultation.

Please contact Olivia Wilson olivia.wilson@gcinsght.co.uk to et 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.

North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust (NCIC) is pleased to announce the introduction of standardised open visiting hours across all wards at Cumberland Infirmary, West Cumberland Hospital, and community hospitals.  

From 1st August 2025, visitors will be welcome between 1pm and 8pm every day, seven days a week.

The nurse in charge will continue to use their discretion for any additional visiting needs, for example those using maternity services, paediatric services, or receiving end of life care. 

All visitors are asked to not visit loved ones in hospital if you do not feel well, infections are more dangerous for those who are already ill. Please use hand sanitiser before and after visiting a ward. 

For the latest information about wards, including any restrictions due to outbreaks, please visit our website www.ncic.nhs.uk.   

A safe space for people to come together to chat and offer support through difficult times. Everyone is welcome to come and go as they please.

Penrith Library 

First session takes place on Wednesday 24th September 2025 1pm-3pm.

Sunday Funday which will take place at Penrith Leisure Centre on 19^th October.

Activity Taster Sessions
Inflatable Zone & Jungle Jacks
Special offers
Performances from local groups
Coffee Morning
Health Checks

We have recently set up some FREE led bike rides available to all in various locations across Carlisle starting 13^th August until beginning of October with full details and booking links below and poster attached.

All these led bike rides are short and easy routes to help you feel more comfortable using your bikes by riding in a relaxed friendly group with lots of chat. These are available to all ages and abilities so long as you have a bike and helmet just book onto one, or more, of the rides below:

FREE Bitts Park and Stony Holme led Cycle Roll Wed 13th August Tickets, Wed, Aug 13, 2025 at 10:30 AM | Eventbrite

FREE Harraby led Cycle Roll - Thu 21st August Tickets, Thu, Aug 21, 2025 at 10:30 AM | Eventbrite

FREE Morton led Cycle Roll - Tue 26th August Tickets, Tue, Aug 26, 2025 at 10:30 AM | Eventbrite

FREE River Path led Cycle Roll - Mon 1st Sept Tickets, Mon, Sep 1, 2025 at 10:00 AM | Eventbrite

FREE Bitts Park and Stony Holme led Cycle Roll Wed 17th September Tickets, Wed, Sep 17, 2025 at 10:30 AM | Eventbrite

FREE Harraby led Cycle Roll - Thu 25th Sept Tickets, Thu, Sep 25, 2025 at 10:30 AM | Eventbrite

FREE Morton led Cycle Roll - Mon 29th Sept Tickets, Mon, Sep 29, 2025 at 10:30 AM | Eventbrite

FREE River Path led Cycle Roll - Tue 7th Oct Tickets, Tue, Oct 7, 2025 at 2:00 PM | Eventbrite

That’s what one family member had to say about our Ethel Care pilot – Cumberland Council want to spread the word about Ethel Care. 

Ethel is a user-friendly device connecting older adults with friendly, trained carers through video calls. It’s perfect for:  

•  Medication reminders 

•  Monitoring meals and hydration 

• Friendly chats to ease loneliness 

• Supporting recovery at home 

Want to learn more about the pilot and see if it could be the right fit for people you work with? reablement.domiciliaryservice@cumbria.gov.uk 0300 373 2729 

Cumberland Council’s Food Partnership in conjunction with Futureproof Cumbria is making available funding of up to £150 per project for constituted groups to host an event during Autumn to celebrate the end of the growing season.
Funding has been made available to bring communities together to celebrate local food, encourage healthy eating and demonstrate how it is possible to minimise food waste and avoid all single use plastic.
‘Food Cumberland is supporting Autumn Harvest Fest 2025 to enable communities to come together to enjoy healthy, local produce. We’d really welcome applications from local community groups, including tenants’ associations, health and disability support groups, youth groups, churches, schools, sports clubs etc.
‘Harvest Fest Event menus could include locally sourced high-quality meat, a variety of vegetable dishes, and showcase healthy and low carbon options.

The deadline for applications is 12th September 2025 – for more information and an application form: Host a Harvest Fest! Grants available

Our health and care system in the North Cumbria area is ‘overseen’ by the regional body North East North Cumbria ICB this set of minutes are written by our third sector representative within NENC ICB Board Lisa Taylor https://www.vonne.org.uk/staff

Following the July AGM, the ICB held their bi-monthly public Board meeting. The agenda included the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust Breast Services issues, the Assertive and Intensive Community Mental Health Action Plan update, and the presentation of the NENC ICS Winter Plan. The Procurement Strategy was also presented, and Lisa Taylor, as ICB VCSE representative, is discussing with the ICB how the VCSE sector can be more informed and involved regarding procurement. Further information will be shared following discussions.
The meeting recording and papers can be viewed on the ICB's website here.
Read Lisa’s Board meeting summary here.

Woodland Wellbeing Returns for Autumn at Watchtree 

Funded by The Nineveh Trust

We’re delighted to welcome you back for the Autumn block of Woodland Wellbeing—a 7-week social prescribing programme designed to improve wellbeing through meaningful connection with nature.
Starting Monday 8th September, the course runs weekly in the tranquil surroundings of Watchtree’s private woodland. Each morning session includes a mix of creative, active, and mindful experiences, all led by qualified and supportive practitioners.
What to Expect: You’ll enjoy a varied schedule of activities, including: Bushcraft and survival skills Foraging and seasonal cooking Yoga and mindfulness practices Nature photography and creative arts Guided woodland walks and poetry Campfire cooking and community connection
Who is it for? This programme is perfect for anyone looking to boost their mental and physical wellbeing, build confidence, try new things, or simply enjoy peaceful time in nature. You don’t need any previous experience—just curiosity and a willingness to take part.
Details: Watchtree Nature Reserve Starts Monday 8th September Morning sessions once a week for 7 weeks, unti Monday 20th October. The programme is limited to 15 participants and is free to attend thanks to funding from The Nineveh Trust
How to Book: Contact Leanne Fisher at learning@watchtree.co.uk to reserve your space.
Watchtree Nature Reserve | Autumn Woodland Wellbeing at Watchtree

The Stroke Association are running a session of Health and Wellbeing workshops in Penrith in September and October for Stroke Survivors in the local area with support of the local ESSD.

This is a four-week block of informative sessions to help with understanding of stroke and how we can rebuild lives after stroke through lifestyle changes and better manage our own health and wellbeing.

We are inviting the third sector to ‘Week Four’ which is a networking session and a chance to showcase their services to local people. We would ask you to do a short 5/10-minute introduction of your service to the group and how our group members can access.

The session is in Penrith Cricket Club 21st October 10.30 – 12.00. If you are available, please confirm attendance by emailing charlene.athersmith@stroke.org.uk.

Across the North East and North Cumbria, organisations have come together to establish a Housing, Health, and Care Programme. The programme is the region's sector-led improvement initiative focused on delivering better, more integrated housing, care, and support so that people can be healthy, live well, and stay independent in their own home.

The programme has launched a series of monthly webinars, hosted by the Northern Housing Consortium, for people working across health, housing and care to learn, share best practice and design solutions together.

Join us for this eighth webinar. Beyond Bricks and Mortar: Rethinking Housing for Better Care Outcomes, online on Wednesday 17th September 10-12pm.

When we talk about housing for people who need care and support, we often focus on traditional bricks-and-mortar homes available for social rent. While this works well for many, it’s not always the best fit for everyone.

This webinar invites commissioners, providers, and health and housing sector colleagues to explore alternative housing models that could lead to better outcomes and faster delivery of services. We’ll hear from experts on shared ownership schemes designed for people with long-term disabilities, an introduction to a roundtable event planned later this year.

We’ll also spotlight a regional initiative developing community-led housing options in the North East, and explore innovative approaches to building homes through Modern Methods of Construction and modular design, with insights from leading practitioners.

Join us to rethink how we provide housing and how we can do it better.

Further details on speakers to follow.

This session is relevant to anyone working across health, housing, and social care, please feel free to forward this invite to relevant colleagues.

The session will be held on Microsoft Teams and a link will be shared 3-5 days before the event, To book your place please email events@northern-consortium.org.uk

DSIT is delighted to announce the launch of the Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund (the Fund) which will open on Wednesday 13 August at 12:00 and will remain open for applications until 10 September, 15:00.

The Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund is one of the first five actions set out in the Digital
Inclusion Action Plan: First Steps to support digitally excluded people. The Fund aims to support:
• Innovative interventions to produce new knowledge on ‘what works’, building the evidence base on effective digital inclusion interventions.
• Best practice with the ambition to scale and replicate successful activities across England to increase digital participation.
Local authorities, combined authorities, charities, research organisations and consortiums can apply for grants from the Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund to support digitally excluded people in England. Grants of £25,000 to £500,000 are available to fund projects of different sizes.

The Fund is a part of the Government's Plan for Change and signals our commitment to empowering communities through digital inclusion.

We encourage you to share this opportunity with your networks and consider applying if your organisation is eligible.

The application form, guidance document and other supporting documents are available on the Find a Grant page:

https://find-government-grants.service.gov.uk/grants/digital-inclusion-innovation-fund-2.
If you have any queries regarding the Fund, please contact ggms_diginc_innofund@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.

This two-hour online session is a chance to get a better understanding of what gambling harm is, how it can affect our health, and how to talk about gambling. It highlights the importance of addressing gambling harms and provides insight on how to recognise and respond to signs of harm.

You can find out more about this and many other learning opportunities on the Boost website

West Cumbria Volunteering Fair

Date: Thursday 18th September 2025

Time: 10:30 am - 12:00 pm

Where: The Solway Hall

Address: Lowther Street, Whitehaven , CA28 7SH

This event aims to attract the general public to come along and to meet local groups, charities or organisations to find out about local volunteering opportunities and how individuals interested in volunteering can register and become a volunteer. By attending the event the general public will find out more about which organisations are looking to recruit new volunteers, the wide range of local volunteering opportunities available, when and where volunteers are needed and how to become a volunteer.

You will have the opportunity to speak informally with local organisations at this drop in event to find out more about volunteering.

Organisations attending include:

Safety Net UK

Citizens Advice Copeland

AbilityNet

Cumberland Council - Community Transport

Whitehaven Egremont and District Credit Union

Cumbria Deaf & Hearing Loss services

Growing Well (Egremont)

RSPB West Cumbria Local Group

Endometriosis UK

Cumbria CVS Step Forward into Volunteering and Employment

Samaritans West Cumbria

And more!

Drop in at anytime to find out more about volunteering in West Cumbria.

For more information and to download the West Cumbria Volunteering Fair poster see poster below.

If any organisations would like to book a table to promote their volunteering opportunities please book here here. 

The Cumbria Dementia Voice Local Group is re-starting next month after the summer break.

The Cumbria Dementia Voice Local Group is an involvement group for people with a diagnosis of dementia only not carers, the aim of the group is for individuals to share their ideas and insights around having dementia to influence change. So far, the group have been consulted on a range of both local and national topics.

We are now asking that people who are interested in coming along to the group contact me first just so that we can ensure the group is a right for them.

Mastering research funding applications with Professor Joy Duxbury
Wednesday 3rd September 12 –1pm via Teams

If you're grappling with research funding applications or struggling to craft a persuasive proposal, this session is for you. Led by Professor Joy Duxbury OBE, it will equip you with the insights to navigate the funding landscape, enhance your application's appeal, and significantly boost your likelihood of securing funding.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/webinar-mastering-research-funding-applications-with-prof-joy-duxbury-tickets-1252742308969?aff=oddtdtcreator

Introduction to Theory of Change
New date added
Wednesday 10th September 10am-12pm at Cumbria House, Carlisle

This session is designed for council staff, elected members, and community organisations to build understanding of theories of change. Participants will learn what a theory of change is, its benefits, how to apply it, and how it connects with effective monitoring and evaluation. The session also covers how to critically assess both a theory of change and a monitoring and evaluation plan.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1095963950679

Practical research review with Dr Tom Grimwood
Update
Monday 15th September 11am-1pm at Cumbria House, Carlisle
Monday 29th September 11am-1pm via Teams

We are pleased to offer practical research review sessions delivered by the University of Cumbria’s Dr Tom Grimwood. Join Tom’s engaging research review sessions! We aim to provide a practical, thought-provoking space to explore current evidence on key topics, sharpen your critical thinking, and connect research to real-world practice. You are also welcome to bring your questions to the table!
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/practical-research-review-sessions-with-dr-tom-grimwood-cumbria-house-tickets-1481799154159

The Resilience Gathering

A powerful day of motivational and interpretational speakers, curated by former Paratrooper and Firefighter Andy Steele, sharing hope that recovery from trauma is possible. 

Further free Suicide Prevention Training in Ulverston and Online on the following dates:

These one-hour sessions are designed for community members to gain confidence in discussing suicide and supporting those in need and cover myths and facts about suicide, how to spot if someone you know might be feeling suicidal, how to ask them and where they can get help.
30 Sept: Bitesize Online 6pm
8 Oct: The Coronation Hall
16 Oct: Bitesize Online 6pm

Please contact us at training@every-life-matters.org.uk for any further information.

This week sees the launch of our campaign to promote another new service, with women in our region able for the first time to get the contraceptive pill straight from their local pharmacy – with no GP appointment needed.
 
This new service will be available in every community pharmacy in the region, offering a quick, easy, and convenient way to get the pill.

Worrying about money? Support is available in Cumberland. 

Three steps to find options and places to get help.

Click here to view the Cumberland leaflet.

Click here to view the Westmorland & Furness leaflet,

Loads of great information and activities in the Carlisle and Barrow Travel Actively areas.

Barrow events/activities

• Litter Picking Well Being Walks
• Barrow Parkrun/Walk
• Every Saturday 8.45am to 10am (ish) at Barrow Park

Carlisle events/activities

• Summer & Autumn Strolls
• 'Pedal Together' Guided Rides 

Digital Development – A Web of Information
Following the successful launch of the new Travel Actively website, residents of Cumbria have been taking to the web to find out all things active travel in their community. From upcoming walking and cycling events to a bespoke journey planner designed for active travel and inspirational stories from residents www.travelactively.co.uk has you covered!

A series of business breakfasts have been set up in South Cumbria to help employers support their employees to stay well in work.

The two breakfast sessions will take place in October, bringing together the owners of small to medium enterprises to share current initiatives that businesses can use to support employees physical, psychological and social needs.

The session will cover:

• Context and data outlining the impact of sickness absence locally
• Details and resources on becoming an inclusive workplace, including making reasonable adjustments, supporting neurodiverse employees and becoming disability confident employers
• Information and access to WorkWell, a fully funded service providing tailored help and assessment for individuals who are struggling at work due to their health or are taking a leave of sickness absence. For further information on WorkWell visit: WorkWell - The Bay Anchor Network

The business breakfasts are completely free to attend and refreshments will be provided upon arrival.

Details of the breakfast events are below.

Kendal Rugby Club, Wednesday 1 October, 8:00am- 10:30am
Barrow Town Hall, Monday 6 October 8:00am- 10:30am
To book your place -
Kendal – https://forms.office.com/e/yMibqWT2Mx
Barrow – https://forms.office.com/e/svHptsTBVE

Social prescribing news for the North East and North Cumbria.

Are you looking for unrestricted, multi-year funding?

Cumbria CVS is delighted to host the Postcode Neighbourhood Trust for a ‘Meet the Funder’ event. This online session will provide the opportunity for you to Meet the Funder and find out what you need to know in order to make an application for your project/organisation. Their funding for Round 3 in 2025 opens Thursday 25th September and closes 12 noon Monday 6th October.

8th, September 2025 from 14:00 to 15:00

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!