Dear Members

Over recent months we have packed our Bulletin with loads of information about all the new Work & Health initiatives developing here in Cumbria, it’s been a joy to see local third sector organisations right at the centre of delivering these exciting new services.

In February Working Well (South Cumbria) was launched as one of the national vanguard work and health programmes in South Cumbria. Cumbria Health (a social enterprise) provides work coaches and is the access point for people wanting to use the service. Mind in Furness, GLL and Better are also all right at the centre of delivery, offering support services for people struggling with mental wellbeing and joint and back issues to stay in work and/or return to work after health problems. Follow this link to find out more & make contact https://cumbriahealth.co.uk/workwell/

October will see the launch of Work Well in North Cumbria (check the Bulletin for launch events and information). Once again, we are delighted to see that third sector organisations are a huge part of delivery offering fabulous new services right at the heart of local communities. As in the South, Cumbria Health provides work coaches and is the access point the service. The programme is supported by seven great organisations including CADAS, Growing Well, Citizens Advice, Fit4Life, iCAN Wellbeing, GLL & Together We.

If like Work Well you are launching a NEW service why not put together a brief note about it and send it to us here at the CVS. We are always happy to pop a quick article in the Bulletin, link to a website or share posters and leaflets online. This is your Bulletin, and we want to cram it full of all the fabulous services and news that you all deliver here in Cumbria.

We welcome information and updates about any of the following:

• NEW services
• Refreshed services
• Changes to existing services
• One off events
• NEW staff members (particularly changes to CEO or key contacts)
• NEW services seeking partners (to support delivery or to host sessions)
• Existing services seeking partners (to refresh services, expand to new geographic areas, reach new audiences)
• Anything else you think is relevant to health & care in Cumbria

As always just send your information to Holly, Clare or Sarah (emails below). We always love to hear 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

Date: Tuesday 7th October 2025, 1.00pm–3.30pm (arrival from 12.45pm)
Venue: Cumbria CVS Building (Community Resource Centre, Shaddongate, Carlisle CA2 5TY)

VONNE’s Health and Wellbeing team alongside Cumbria CVS Health Partnerships Team (here in North Cumbria) are inviting third sector colleagues to take part in this and other workshops across the North East. The Workshops aim to co-design a simple, shared way to show outcomes and impact, so NHS commissioning better recognises prevention, relationships, and real-world community impact.

This workshop is delivered by VONNE’s VCSE Health & Wellbeing team as part of the Assura/NAVCA programme, in partnership with the North East & North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB).

These sessions will bring together organisations from across North Cumbria and the wider North East and North Cumbria to share experiences, explore what evidence really matters, and co-design a simple outcomes and impact framework that reflects the VCSE’s role in improving health and reducing inequalities.

Each organisation taking part will receive £250 in recognition of its contribution. (Travel costs can be reimbursed up to £40 per event.)

PLEASE NOTE : deadline to express interest: 5pm Tuesday 30th September (you’ll get confirmation of your place and sent joining info on Wednesday 1st October)

Find out more and book: https://www.vonne.org.uk/civicrm/event/info?id=833&reset=1

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.

Come and join us to find out more about how to support people through the winter months in North Cumbria.

The event is aimed at link workers from across the system - based in GPs, local authorities and VCSE organisations, and any organisations that support winter wellbeing.

Presentations will include navigating the health system, finding the most appropriate place for support, vaccination programmes, community pharmacy, warm hubs and more.

There will also be an opportunity to network with colleagues and get valuable information about VCFSE support, and a free buffet lunch.

13th, October 2025 from 09:30 to 13:00

Wigton Market Hall

FREE Ramblers Wellbeing Walks taking place in your local area. We believe it is important to make you aware of these walks and give you the chance to be able to promote them.

Below are the NEW Ramblers Wellbeing Walks posters which cover North Cumbria for Sept-Dec 2025. These are updated on a termly basis and can be found on our website if you click here

In partnership with Active Cumbria, we have launched a series of new maps for Hammond’s Pond, Carlisle, designed to encourage walking and promote healthier lifestyles across the community. 

The maps highlight a variety of walking routes around the park, showing the distance, estimated step count, and approximate calories burned for each. They provide an easy and engaging way for residents to enjoy the outdoors while supporting their health and wellbeing.

Copies of the maps have been distributed to local community hubs, including The Rock Youth Project, St Margaret Mary Parish Community Centre, St Johns Hall, St Margaret Mary Church, the Café at Hammond’s, Youth Zone, Currock Community Centre, Carlisle Library, Eden Valley Hospice, and Chris Trolley & Co, and they can also be accessed online at www.thehikinghousehold.com.  

Raise are looking for an Apprentice Community Forester to join the team at Raise: Cumbria Community Forest. This is a great opportunity to begin a career in forestry while helping shape the future of our landscapes and communities.

Cumbrian Councils have been awarded £11.8 million from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to make fuel-poor homes more energy efficient.

Funded by the UK Government’s Warm Homes Local Grant, the three-year programme will benefit up to 800 homes across Cumberland and Westmorland and Furness by providing fully funded upgrades to improve energy efficiency and help cut household bills.
Works will be tailored to each household and focused on delivering energy efficiency measures such as loft insulation and solar PV. Other measures may also be installed, including more expensive options such as air source heat pumps, although these will be delivered in smaller numbers due to higher costs.
Eligible households are those with an energy efficiency rating of D to G, and either a total annual household income below £36,000 or a resident receiving a means-tested benefit.

The free Better membership gives care leavers access to a range of facilities including gyms, swimming pools, fitness classes, and free access to online classes through Better at Home, empowering them to take control of their physical and mental health in a supportive environment.

The passes are part of a wider package of support for care experienced young people in the area which aims to reduce inequalities for care leavers, who often face additional barriers when it comes to health, stability, and inclusion. This joined up working across different services ensures that the council can offer an enhanced package of support for care leavers.
Eligible young people can apply for their free pass on the Better App and find out more on their website Gym and Leisure Centre Memberships | Better

We are delighted to inform you that the new websites for Cumberland Safeguarding Children Partnership and Westmorland & Furness Safeguarding Children Partnership have gone live this morning, Monday 8 September 2025

Shout is a free, confidential, 24/7 text support service for anyone in the UK who is struggling to cope.

To start a conversation, text the word 'Shout' to 85258.
Trained Shout Volunteers are available to listen at any time of day or night and messages won't appear on your phone bill.

Once you text, you’ll receive four automated messages before you are connected to one of our empathetic Shout Volunteers. The volunteer will introduce themselves and ask you to share a bit more about what’s bothering you. This might include feeling anxious, having relationship problems, addiction, depression, bullying, self-harm and suicide. You will text back and forth and share what you feel comfortable with.

The goal of the conversation is to help someone reach a calm and safe place, with a plan of how to support themselves going forwards. As well as listening without judgement, volunteers may provide you with further resources or tools to help you get more expert support.
Follow this link to find out more:
https://giveusashout.org/get-help/how-shout-works/
If your life is at imminent risk, please call the emergency services on 999.

We are pleased to announce the launch of NHS Work Well North Cumbria, a new pilot programme starting on 1 October 2025.
Work Well is part of a national initiative led by NHS England and the Government to support people who are struggling to remain in employment because of a health condition. In North Cumbria, the programme will provide personalised, short-term support to help people stay well and in good work, with the right help at the right time.
To help raise awareness of the service, we are hosting a series of online information sessions. These sessions will provide an overview of:

• The aims of the programme and the North Cumbria model
• Who is eligible and how referrals can be made
• The support available for individuals and employers
• How you and your organisation can get involved
Awareness session dates:
• Tuesday 23rd September – 11:30am–12:30pm
• Monday 29th September – 12:30–1:30pm
• Friday 10th October – 10:00–11:00am
• Thursday 23rd October – 2:00–3:00pm
To sign up for one of these sessions, please email isobel.ross3@nhs.net.
For your reference, I have attached:
• The General Awareness FAQs – answering common questions about the service
• An overview of the service and info about the awareness sessions
We would greatly value your support in sharing this opportunity with your networks and helping us ensure that as many people as possible are aware of Work Well North Cumbria.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch with the Work Well Project Team:
• Elizabeth Lanka – Commissioning Manager | elizabeth.lanka@nhs.net
• Natalie Murray – Project Officer | natalie.murray13@nhs.net
• Philip Salmon – Business Manager, Cumbria Health | philip.salmon@cumbriahealth.nhs.uk
Thank you for your support in launching this important pilot. We look forward to working with you.

Caenegie Connection - Creative Community Sessions.

Get creative and try fun hands-on crafts.

Connect - Meet others in a friendly space

Find support - Info on local services

Feel better - Health & Wellbeing tips

Enjoy refreshments - Free drinks, snacks and lunch

Studio 1 at Carnegie, Workington

First session Tuesday 23rd September 10.30am-1.30pm

The events are live on Carnegie website / Ticketsolve system now - bookings through the poster QR code or direct weblink https://carnegietheatre.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873658175

Follow the link below to the latest copy of CNTW’s Stakeholder Newsletter.

Included information about switching off of the local 0800 numbers:

New Way to Access Crisis Mental Health Support in the North East and Cumbria

Last year, the NHS 111 ‘mental health’ option was launched across the country. That means wherever you are, you can get help in a mental health crisis by calling NHS 111.

If you call 111 from the Northumberland, Tyneside, Sunderland or North Cumbria and select the ‘mental health’ option, you’ll speak to the team of call handlers employed by Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW). They will listen, ask you some questions, and find the right support for you.

Because this service is now up-and-running, from 1 October we will be switching off the local 0800 numbers which people used to use to call for crisis support.

Preparing children for the death of a significant adult caregiver (such as a parent, grandparent or guardian) to cancer can be emotionally difficult and one of the greatest challenges a family can face. Health and social care professionals (professionals) can be helpful and supportive for families as the adults prepare and support children for this end of life experience.

This research focuses on those families who may be experiencing financial struggles at the end of life, in particular single parent families, non-White families such as those who are Asian or Black or families who are homeless.

The study is now recruiting for health and social care professionals (any discipline or grade) to take part in a one-off, 40-minute interview to explore their experiences and perceptions in supporting families living in deprivation when an adult with significant caregiving responsibilities for dependent children is at end of life with cancer.

For more information and to sign up, please visit this link: https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/ulster/hscp-pis-and-consent

The latest Cumberland Council Social Prescribing Newsletter for September 2025

Click here to view the newsletter

In August, Healthwatch Westmorland and Furness launched a new survey to hear about the challenges people face getting to a GP, hospital or other health appointments using public, community or volunteer transport.

Transport is a recurring issue we hear about at in Westmorland and Furness, and your experiences will help highlight barriers and shape improvements for everyone.
We’re asking anyone who relies on buses, trains, taxis or volunteer schemes to take part.

Please share the survey with friends, family or community groups. Every voice counts!

CumbriaMed Research Webinar on Respiratory Diseases - Thurs 25 September, 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: Respiratory Diseases
Date: Thursday 25 September 2025
Time: 12:30–13:30
Location: Zoom (registration required)
Register: tinyurl.com/pcsm-web3

Speakers:
• Professor Peter Openshaw - Professor of Experimental Medicine, Imperial College London; former President of the British Society for Immunology
• Dr Tim Gatheral - Consultant Respiratory Physician, University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Trust; Senior Clinical Lecturer, Lancaster University
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)

Triple A currently offers CPD accredited Autism Awareness training developed and delivered by autistic people and rooted in lived experience informed professional best practice.

Our half day “Understanding Autism” training course is CPD accredited and aims to equip you with a practical working knowledge of autism which you can then apply to your own practice.
We can also offer a shorter non-accredited versions or bespoke packages tailored to your needs, including training on neurodivergence in general or on autism and ADHD (ADHD training is also developed and delivered by people with lived experience of ADHD).

Still not sure?
Here’s some feedback from past attendees:

“It’s one of the best training courses we’ve been on for a long while…There was a lot of practical information that we will be able to use in practice.” – Family resilience team member Kendal.

“Interactive, informal and relaxed. Questions encouraged and dealt with well – First hand examples used. Interesting. Necessary. Relevant” – NCIC Occupational Health team member

“Finally some training that’s actually interesting” – Carlisle College learning support staff member

If you’d like to know more or to discuss packages and costs, please email our training development lead Philippa Laskey Philippa.laskey@tripleaproject.org.uk or admin@tripleaproject.org.uk
Discounted rates available for charities

Do you work with clients who struggle with persistent pain?

Join us for a free 3-hour training session with Flippin’ Pain, a national campaign changing the way we think about and treat pain.

You’ll learn the latest understanding of how pain works and why mindset, movement and community support all matter.

We’ll also introduce Pain Cafés: local peer groups offering practical support for people living with ongoing pain.

Event details
When: Wednesday 8th of October 10:00-13:30
Where: Brampton Community Centre, Union Lane, Brampton, CA8 1BX
Who: For GPs, physiotherapists, fitness/wellbeing coaches, therapists, and anyone in health or wellness.
Cost: Free to attend

To book, just email with your:
• Name
• Email
• Organisation
• Job title
• Postcode
• How many people will be attending

We would ask you to please forward this invitation to your network – colleagues, peers, or groups you are part of. The more professionals who understand persistent pain differently, the more people we can help.

Places are limited – please book soon. We hope to see you there!

Here’s some feedback from past attendees:

“It’s one of the best training courses we’ve been on for a long while…There was a lot of practical information that we will be able to use in practice.” – Family resilience team member Kendal.

“Interactive, informal and relaxed. Questions encouraged and dealt with well – First hand examples used. Interesting. Necessary. Relevant” – NCIC Occupational Health team member

“Finally some training that’s actually interesting” – Carlisle College learning support staff member

If you’d like to know more or to discuss packages and costs, please email our training development lead Philippa Laskey Philippa.laskey@tripleaproject.org.uk or admin@tripleaproject.org.uk
Discounted rates available for charities

The next Health Literacy Community of Practice meeting is taking place on Monday 6 October 2025 at 1pm – 2.30pm.

At our October meeting, you’ll hear about:
• Andrew Taylor, Specialist Registrar in Public Health: Organisational health literacy – our journey at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals.
• Emma Davidson, Strategic Manager – North East and North Cumbria ICB Health Literacy Team: What would a national NHS health literacy toolkit look like? Summary of NHS England Commissioned report.
• Lorna Dawson, Health Literacy Specialist – North East and North Cumbria ICB Health Literacy Team: What would a national NHS health literacy training model look like? Summary of NHS England Commissioned report.

This event is open to existing members of the Health Literacy Community of Practice. We also encourage any new members who have an interest in health literacy. We welcome people from the NHS, local authorities, voluntary organisations, education, libraries and community engagement groups.

Here is the registration link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/health-literacy-community-of-practice-tickets-1678380293639?aff=oddtdtcreator

We do hope you can join us, however, the meeting will be recorded and uploaded onto the Health Literacy - Community of Practice NHS future platform.

In this platform, you will be able to access a range of resources from a range of sources and be kept up to date with events happening.

We are pleased to introduce our Pain Café, a community-led initiative hosted at Brampton Community Centre, designed to support individuals living with persistent pain through connection, conversation, and shared resources.

Our Pain Café offers a relaxed, informal setting where attendees can engage with others who understand the challenges of persistent pain. It’s a space for peer support, practical advice, and emotional wellbeing.

We invite your organisation to help us raise awareness and refer individuals who may benefit from the service.

Upcoming Sessions:
📍 Location: Brampton Community Centre
🕒 Time: 25th of September, 9th of October and 23rd of October – all at 12:30 till 14:00.
🎟️ Free to attend – no registration required

Together, we can build a stronger network of support for those living with persistent pain.

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:

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

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