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Dear Members

At last, our much-anticipated Winter Themed Bulletin and accompanying crib sheets/cheat sheets/information sheets have landed 😊

We are hoping that this Bulletin can be used as a resource for you and your colleagues and volunteers over the coming months. Please do share it with others who you think would find it useful, and feel free to pinch bits of text and articles to put in your own newsletters, social media and or share with staff.

We are hoping to send this Bulletin out a few times over the coming Winter months. We anticipate that each time we send it, it will be BIGGER & BETTER with even more information. We will need your help with this.

To make it the best resource we can we need to know we are providing you with the most useful information and links. Please, please let us know if we’ve:

• Missed something vital from the information
• Got a link, telephone number or other contact details wrong
• Something we have highlighted is out of date or no longer relevant
• If there is some other vital information you need us to dig out for you  

In this first Bulletin we will be covering good basic information about where to go for support and highlighting some key organisations and services covering the following areas:

• Money & benefits
• How to save energy & where to get grants and support
• Warm Hubs/Spots & other places offering warmth & companionship

We have also provided some easy-to-understand information about all the great services our local pharmacies provide.

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

Whatever you want to call them - we have started to create a series of easy-to-read lists of organisations who can offer help during the Winter months.

Follow this link to download the sheets

The information has all been ordered under the same categories as those we have put into the Bulletin.

The aim of these sheets is to provided you with a very quick guide to services that you can print out, share with colleagues, carry around when you are out and about without having to get on line and hunt for basic information.

Please note we are aware they are not complete and that they will need to be added to over time.

If when looking through the sheets you have picked up any:

• Mistakes – wrong names, telephone numbers, emails or website links
• Gaps in the information we have put together  

Please, please do contact Holly or Clare and send us your additions, alterations and corrections:

Holly Ferguson           HollyF@cumbriacvs.org.uk

Clare Edwards           claree@cumbriacvs.org.uk

Money and benefits are particularly important in the winter due to increased costs, the impact of cold weather on health, and seasonal expenses. Access to targeted government benefits can help alleviate these pressures and ensure well-being during the colder months. 

Many people on a low-income also face: 

• Increased energy bills, the problem of spiralling arrears and mounting debts and accompanying mental wellbeing issues
• The "Heat or eat" dilemma: being forced to choose between paying for heating and affording other essentials, such as food.
• Higher energy costs because they are forced to use a meter making it harder for them to budget. 

Some of the key benefits and support available over winter include:

• Winter Fuel Payments
• Cold Weather Payments
• Warm Home Discounts
• Household Support Fund

A good place to start is the Gov.uk website where you will find detailed information about all of the above.

https://www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment

The information on the Gov.uk website can be a bit complex. This information can be difficult to follow so local in-person services are vital for lots of people.

Where to get local in-person help in Cumbria

SPOT LIGHT on our fabulous network of Citizens Advice organisations that operate across the county:

All Citizens Advice organisations in Cumbria provide free, confidential and impartial advice. People go to them with all sorts of issues. Including money, benefit, housing or employment problems. They can support people facing a crisis, or those just considering their options. They have specialist advisers who can help find out what benefits and tax credits people are entitled to. They will assist people to make a claim, help with the appeals process if people have been turned down, and help if people are having to pay back an overpayment.

Citizens Advice also have energy advisors who can help:

• Resolve disputes with your energy provider
• With energy saving tips and advice
• Challenge the New Warm Home Discount decisions
• Be added to the Priority Services Register
• Although there are no cheap fixed deals they can make sure people are only paying what they should be paying

Citizens Advice Allerdale

www.citizensadviceallerdale.org.uk

Citizens Advice Barrow

https://www.barrowcitizensadvice.org.uk/

Citizens Advice Carlisle & Eden

www.cac-e.org.uk

Citizens Advice Copeland

www.citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk/

Citizens Advice South Lakes

https://www.southlakescab.org.uk

SPOT LIGHT on adults over the age of 50 think about heading to Age UK services in Cumbria for information & advice

Age UK North Cumbria - Information & Advice Service

Information and advice on a range of issues relating to older people and those who care for them.

They specialise in the following topics for those over 50 years of age:

Benefits and Money – maximizing income through benefit entitlement checks, aiding with the completion of claim forms, and challenging decisions (where we have supported with the application).
Social Care - identifying the type of care and support that a Client may need and what statutory and non- statutory services are available to meet these. Providing information on how to access them and their respective eligibility criteria.
Housing Options – advice on the different types of housing available, and how to access repairs, aids, and adaptations.
Local Services - advising on the support, groups, activities, and concessions available locally.

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/northcumbria/our-services/information-and-advice-40c63b92-dab9-e711-80ec-005056b22c8b/

Age UK South Cumbria - Advice & Support service

Information and advice on a range of issues including:

• Coping with illness or disability
• Warm home support
• Home safety
• Energy supplier advice

Local Councils in Cumbria

Our two local councils also offer some online access to information and sign posting to appropriate support

Westmorland & Furness Council

https://www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/cost-living-support

Cumberland Council

https://www.cumberland.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/cost-living-support

Many people in Cumbria live in what is called fuel poverty.

Fuel poverty is characterised by one or more of the following:

• Living on a low income – after paying to heat the home the household’s income falls below the poverty line
• Having high energy costs (more than 10% of the household income is spent on heating the home to an adequate warmth
• Living in a property that has a poor energy efficiency rating (D or below)

People living in fuel poverty are able to get lots of help including:

• Advice on heating, boiler and radiator settings
• Help with understanding energy bills and tariffs and saving money of fuel bills
• Advice on tackling damp and mould
• Energy-saving equipment
• Draught proofing measures
• Support to access insulation and heating grants

SPOT LIGHT on – Future Proof Cumbria

Future Proof Cumbria offers a whole range of telephone and in-person support that can support anyone worrying about winter fuel bills and how to make their home more fuel efficient.

Their services include:

• Advice on heating, boiler and radiator settings
• Help with understanding energy bills and tariffs
• Smart meter advice and meter reading support
• Advice on tackling damp and mould
• Energy-saving equipment
• Draught proofing measures
• Support to access insulation and heating grants

Ground work NE & Cumbria – Green Doctor Service

Groundwork has a Team of friendly Green Doctors who are energy efficiency experts offering free, impartial advice to help people take control of your bills and save energy in the home.

The Team offer FREE impartial advice to:

• To help you take control of your bills
• To save energy where possible in the home
• To access other services and initiatives available
• To get a warmer, more comfortable and energy efficient home
• About home improvements that are energy efficient with lower emissions

The Team offer FREE phone consultation or home visits

https://www.groundwork.org.uk/north-east-and-cumbria/get-support/green-doctors/

Lots of people find the cold dark months of Winter hard to get through. Many on low incomes find it difficult to heat their homes effectively especially if they have a poorly insulated house or require additional heat to help them manage health conditions. Others find that the dark days, bad weather and festive celebrations can exacerbate their feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Warm Spots/spaces and Hubs are spaces created by and within local communities. They are safe and friendly public places where people of all ages can go to comfortably spend time reading, studying, chatting with others and meeting new people in their community.

Warm Spots/spaces and Hubs might be run in any of the following:

• Village halls and community centres
• Local cafes & even pubs
• Local voluntary organisations such as arts centres, support groups, foodbanks & food pantries
• Leisure Centres
• Libraries
• Churches

All Warm Spots have their own opening days and times and the services available vary.

You can find details of Warm Spots near you by following the links below. You will land on a page with an interactive map that will help connect you to places nearby

Cumberland council area

Find a local Warm Spot

Westmorland & Furness Council area

Find a local Warm Spot

Both Councils also offer Warm Spaces in their local libraries:

Cumberland Council area:

find your nearest library in our directory.

Westmorland & Furness Council area:

Find your nearest library

SPOTLIGHT ON - Cornerstone Café Denton Holme Carlisle

Cornerstone is a community coffee bar in Denton Holme, run by a team of over 40 volunteers. Our aim is to provide a safe accessible space to support those who live, work and visit Denton Holme in Carlisle.

The organisation runs a series of groups and activities including:

Craft Group (1st Monday of the month 7:00pm), bring a craft to do.

Craft & Natter (Every Friday 10am – 12pm) – We provide activities so come along to this free group and join in the fun!

Free community breakfast: Every Wednesday between 8am and 9am. Join us for breakfast and a chat every Wednesday morning (term time only)

Renew @ Cornerstone – A weekly wellbeing café in Cornerstone held every Thursday between 10am and 1pm. Come along for free activities (or bring your own), free refreshments and conversation. We also run an optional meditation/reflection based on a Bible verse at 10:10am and 12:45am in a separate are of the café.

After School Drop-in: Held every Thursday between 3:15pm and 4:30pm. A drop in for School aged children, parents and guardians are also welcome. Free hot chocolate provided.

For more details visit: https://www.cornerstonecarlisle.org/regular-activities-events/

Or visit their FACEBOOK page for all the latest information: https://www.facebook.com/cornerstoneDH

A great resource from a previous Winter Health and Wellbeing Link and Think event held by our Health Partnerships Support Office Sarah Penn.

This Padlet has a variety of resources and organisations in relation to winter health. 

When we’re feeling poorly in Winter or are worried about the health of family, friends of the people you support we’re all thinking about:

• Where to get the right help
• How to get it quickly

There’s lots of help out there, if you know where to look. But it can be like fighting your way through a blizzard finding information that is clear and easy to understand

So, here’s your quick guide  

Pharmacies and chemists

The first place to consider is always your local Pharmacy or Chemist.

You can find your nearest pharmacy through your phone by texting ‘Pharmacy’ to 64746

• To use the service, send a text message with the word "pharmacy" to 64746. 
• You will then receive three free text messages. 
• These messages will provide details of your nearest pharmacies, which you can then visit for various services. 

Pharmacies can provide help through a number of services:

• Flu & covid jabs for anyone eligible
• Minor Ailments service – helping you with treatments for a whole list of common conditions or minor illnesses
• Pharmacy First – helping you with treatment for a list of specific more serious health problems
• Blood pressure checks

Minor Ailments

Pharmacies can help with minor ailments or common illnesses including:

• Aches and pains - back pain, headache, period pain, teething
• Allergies - bites and stings, hay fever, skin reaction      
• Colds and flu – cough, congestion, sore throat, fever / temperature (including fever following immunisation)
• Ear care – earache, ear infection, ear wax
• Eye care - bacterial conjunctivitis, styes
• Gastrointestinal care – diarrhoea, constipation, indigestion, haemorrhoids
• Head lice
• Mouth care - cold sores, oral thrush, ulcers
• Skin care - athletes foot, contact dermatitis / atopic eczema, nappy rash, warts, and verrucae.
• Vaginal thrush

FREE Medication

What makes this service even better is that if you already get FREE prescriptions or have a prescription pre-payment card any medication the pharmacist offers you will be FREE of charge

FREE Medication for this service too

What makes this service even better is that if you already get FREE prescriptions or have a prescription pre-payment card any medication the pharmacist offers you will be FREE of charge

FREE Blood Pressure Checks

Checks are available to:

• People over 40 yrs who do not have a current diagnosis of high blood pressure can present at their local pharmacy for a check.
• People under 40 yrs who request the service because they have a recognised family history of high blood pressure may be provided the service at the discretion of pharmacy staff.
• People 35 to 39 yrs who request the service may be tested at the discretion of the pharmacy staff

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