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Dear Members

The Health Partnerships Team get all the exciting jobs ………no, not being sent out on Christmas eve to queue for brussel sprouts, untangling the Christmas tree lights or being the last to leave the office and locking up for the festive period (I can’t tell you how many times over the holiday I am tempted to return and check everything is secure) 😊

No, this exciting job is all about making sure that our mailing lists are as up to date as possible and that we are sending information only to those who really want and need it.

Over 900 individuals currently receive this Bulletin which is amazing. This tells us that it’s an important way to keep you all informed about what is happening in the world of health and care.

We need your help – during the last few days before the festive break we will checking our mail lists.

Using all the information you send us we will be:

• making sure staff and volunteers who have moved to new organisations or new roles have the correct emails and job titles
• people who have retired, moved out of county or no longer work in relevant jobs are removed
• where we can see that our emails are no longer getting through to a specific email finding the right email to put on our system
• making sure organisations that have changed their name or status are altered/updated (that includes those that have had to close or have merged with others)

Can you help?

• If you know of staff changes in your organisation, please do let Holly and/or I know
• If you no longer want to receive the Cumbria CVS Health & Wellbeing Bulletin let us know or use the unsubscribe button on this edition of the Bulletin
• If your role has changed give us a shout
• If your organisation has changed its name, it’s area of work or its charitable, social enterprise status send us all the new information

Strangely we all quite enjoy this job – it’s always a great way for us to keep ourselves up to date about our members and they’ll be plenty of mince pies and festive goodies to keep us going 😊

We very much look forward to hearing from you – no changes or updates too small.

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

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 important 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:

Allergic Conjunctivitis

Colorectal Symptoms

Cardiac Catheterisation Complications

Ectropion, Entropion and Trichiasis

Migraine

Trigeminal Neuralgia

Integrated Care Board (ICB) is changing how gluten-free foods are prescribed.

From 1 March 2026, gluten-free bread and flour mix will continue to be available on NHS prescription only for people aged under 25. Prescribing for adults aged 25 and over will no longer continue after this date.

This decision balances the need to use limited NHS resources fairly and effectively while taking steps to protect vulnerable patients. The decision to continue supporting children and young people recognises the challenges of adapting to a gluten-free diet following a coeliac disease diagnosis, as well as the wider impact of child poverty in our region.

When gluten-free products were first introduced to the NHS in the 1960s, there were very few suitable alternatives available. Today, gluten-free products are widely available in supermarkets, online and in local shops, with clear labelling to support safe dietary choices. As the NHS now cares for more people with complex and long-term health conditions, we need to make sure funding delivers the greatest benefit for everyone.

Over the coming months, we will be working with the Northern Treatment Advisory Group (NTAG) to update the clinical guidance on gluten-free prescribing in preparation for the upcoming change in eligibility.

The North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board would like to thank everyone who shared their views during this process, including patients, carers, community groups, healthcare professionals and partners. Your feedback has helped shape this final decision.

If you have any questions about this update, please get in touch by email: nencicb-sun.mo@nhs.net.

This week, NHS England confirmed that Integrated Care Boards can now progress with their transition programmes under the NHS Model ICB Blueprint.

The Model ICB Blueprint establishes a shared vision for integrated care boards (ICBs) by setting out the direction of travel for their role and functions. Strategic commissioning will be the central purpose of the ICBs of the future.

The 10 Year Health Plan promised a new commissioning framework for ICBs to turn this ambition into reality.

This now allows both our regional ICBs (North East & North Cumbria and Lancashire & South Cumbria) to move forward with cost and staffing cutting processes first discussed in March 2025. This will formal staff consultation, including the voluntary redundancy scheme, are expected to begin in the next few weeks. In the South the regional ICB are being asked to make cost reductions of up to 50% whilst in the North this is closer to a reduction of 35%.

Healthwatch Cumberland's first Lived Experience Report and their report for the Deaf Community’s access to statutory services.

Did you know that, across England, unpaid carers have:

• The right to unpaid Carer’s Leave
• The right to request flexible working
• The right to ask your GP practice to identify you as a carer
• The right (and choice) to request a free flu jab
• Protection against discrimination or harassment
• The right to a carer’s assessment
• The right to be consulted when the person you care for is discharged from hospital

You may also be interested in the following report:

State of Caring 2025, supported by TSB Bank, explores how carers are navigating work, caring responsibilities, and financial pressures one year after the introduction of the Carer’s Leave Act. The findings underline the importance of ensuring carers can access and use their rights effectively.

The next Health Literacy Community of Practice meeting is taking place on Monday 8 December 2025 at 1pm – 2.30pm.

At our December meeting, the Healthcare Inequalities Senior Professional Advisor from NHS England will tell you about national health literacy work that is happening.

You’ll hear case studies on how innovations have been used to improve communication with patients. You hear what these tools do and the impact they have had. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions as part of a discussion panel with the presenters.

The community of practice will end with an interactive session, we’ll show how the Readability Tool can help make information easier to understand. This activity will get us thinking about the jargon or complex words we often use. Could you please share examples of jargon or phrases you use, and suggest simpler alternatives, via Jargon Collection Form. 

Here is the Eventbrite registration link for the session. Please share this widely with any colleagues or networks who may be interested in this topic.

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.

If you no longer wish to attend these meetings or receive updates, please email yoyo.kwan@healthinnovationnenc.org.uk to be removed from the distribution list.

A warm, friendly space to make new friends and have a good old chat.

Appleby Leisure Centre- Every Friday 11am - 1pm with optional water workout 11am -
12pm

Penrith Leisure Centre - Every Monday 11am - 1pm and every Friday 1:30pm - 3:30pm
with optional gentle exercise class 1:30pm - 2pm

Email betterhealth.eden@gll.org for more info.

Are you interested in helping to improve health and care research? Then this is your opportunity to help shape the design of a clinical trial for Haemophilia!
Who are we looking for?
This opportunity is for 4-8 adults (aged 18 or over), living in the UK, who:
Have lived experience as a patient of, or carer for someone with, Haemophilia A or B.
Can access and use a word processing programme such as Microsoft Word

If you would like to be involved in this opportunity I have attached the full advert document which includes further information on the opportunity and details on how to apply. Deadline for applications is Sunday 30th November.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Small grant opportunities
His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) has a number of small grants opportunities. Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations operating and registered in UK are eligible to apply. The applications will be open on Find a Grant from [17 November – 5 December, 15:00]. The grant opportunities include:
Two grant funding opportunities are available at North West Probation region
• tailored support for individuals from minority ethnic communities in Cumbria. This grant will help to pilot new ways of working, gather insights, and establish a foundation for more comprehensive and inclusive support within the Criminal Justice System across this region. Available funding £20,000
• a service mapping exercise that will outline existing services for minority ethnic communities in the county of Cheshire. This activity will help to understand the specific needs and barriers faced by these communities and inform future service delivery models. Available funding £20,000

As part of our work on bereavement care for parents in Cumbria we are supporting Together We and the local Maternity Voices Partnership with a study into the care received by families.

If you are a family who has experienced loss, or a professional who has supported families during their grief they would love to hear from you.

We would be very grateful if you could complete our questionnaire. 

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: Healthier Together Champions – Education and VCSE settings

The Healthier Together website and mobile app provides trusted evidence-based NHS advice to help families and schools manage children’s health effectively. The Network is inviting applications from both community organisations and education settings to become Healthier Together Champions to maximise access to Healthier Together for families in your communities, encourage parents and carers to use the website and app to support their children's health and wellbeing, and help promote Healthier Together through your social media and other communication channels.

Education settingsOffering clear guidance on when a child is well enough to attend school, the platform helps reduce avoidable absences and promotes consistent attendance. It supports school staff by giving access to reliable information for managing illness in the school setting and communicating clear return-to-school guidance to parents. The website also offers practical support for managing long-term conditions, helping children stay healthy and engaged in learning. 

Incorporating Healthier Together into the school’s attendance and health policies promotes wellbeing, consistency, and stronger partnerships between families, schools, and healthcare services.

Apply here for education settings

VCSE settings

Healthier Together website and mobile app allows parents, carers, young people and professionals to access consistent evidence-based advice. The Healthier Together Champions funding aims to ensure reach to families in our most under-served communities and support VCSE capacity to embed Healthier Together as a resource they promote to families in their day-to-day delivery. 

Apply here for VCSE organisations

Application closes on Tuesday 2nd December at 12 noon.

To mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2025, VONNE is hosting a webinar with Difference, a campaigning and policy organisation representing disabled people across the North East. Difference's aim is to reduce discrimination, increase access and inclusion and work towards a more equal region.

Join us for this short, practical session on reasonable adjustments - what the law requires, what works in practice, and how small changes can make a massive difference. This is an opportunity to hear success stories, and take real, actionable thinking back to your organisation to make it more inclusive for your staff. 

Cumbria Safeguarding Adults Board are running a survey all about safeguarding adults in Cumbria and they want to hear from everyone working in Cumbria with adults who may be at risk of abuse and neglect.

The Board are encouraging as many colleagues as possible from voluntary organisations to complete, share their views and have their experiences heard. The Board will be using findings to develop their next strategy.

Here is the link for ease…

CSAB Workforce Survey 2025

This Christmas, we’re opening our doors to bring people together — because no one should feel alone on Christmas Day.

Join us for a friendly, festive morning filled with connection, laughter, and good food:

10:30am – Gentle walk around Bitts Park to start the day and enjoy some fresh winter air.

11am – 1pm – Bring & Share Celebration with festive games, music, and refreshments.

Bring along your favourite Christmas dish or treat to share with the group — or just bring yourself, you’ll be warmly welcomed either way. We also encourage Christmas jumper or festive accessories.

Whether you’d like some company, a change of scenery, or simply want to share the joy with others, this is a safe and welcoming space for everyone. Share with those who you think may need a place like iCan on Christmas Day.

Spaces are limited, so please book early by calling 01228 819101.

If you’d like to help make the day extra special, you can donate a gift for under the tree or contribute food for the Bring & Share.

Please contact Tash at natasha@icanwellbeing.co.uk to arrange your donation or book your space

3 December 2025, 11:00am - 12:00pm, Online

Living with progressive illness, or towards end of life, is challenging. Problems around money, jobs, social care and other aspects of daily life can generate an exhausting battle for information and support affecting both patient and carer. Rights to choice around health and care decisions are frequently overlooked. This session introduces Routes to Rights, a multi-agency project and resource to raise awareness of the law as a tool for better care around end of life.

Find out more and book your place here.

Lauren is supporting the delivery of a National Patient Safety Programme around reducing harm from psychotropics used for behaviour that challenges in those with a learning disability. We have completed some small mapping exercises as a core project team, and would like to understand if there is any existing charities or networks that may support this work and wonder if you can help please?

Lauren Peate

Improvement Manager      

PSC Workstream Lead for MedSIP

078719866

www.healthinnovationnwc.nhs.uk

Macmillan Cancer Support has launched a new £1.5million grants programme for voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise organisations anywhere in the UK who can help reduce inequity in cancer care. 

This pilot programme is called the Macmillan CARE (Culture • Agency • Respect • Equity) Grants Programme.

Grants are for between £50,000 and £150,000 over one or two years and focus on three main areas of health inequity:

• Cultural Responsiveness: Making cancer care more sensitive to diverse cultural needs
• Shared Decision Making: Empowering people to actively participate in their care
• Dementia-Friendly Cancer Care: Supporting those living with both cancer and dementia

The application process is open now and closes on 23 January 2026. 

Find out more at www.macmillan.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/macmillan-funding-grants/care-grants

Grants Information Webinars

Our Grants Information Webinars are opportunities to hear more about the Macmillan CARE Grant and other Macmillan grants currently available for community applicants. These include time to answer general questions. 

Our Grants Information Webinars will take place on Microsoft Teams on the following dates: 

• Tuesday 2nd December 2025 at 11:00am – 12:00pm. Click here to register. 
• Thursday 11th December 2025 at 6:00pm – 7:00pm. Click here to register. 
• Thursday 8th January 2026 at 3:30pm – 4:30pm. Click here to register.

Contact us

For any other questions, please get in touch at CommunityGrants@macmillan.org.uk  

Please get in touch if you would like to discuss this further, applications are to be submitted by the 23/01/2026 

Natalie Thompson

Macmillan Professional Engagement & Improvement Lead - for the North of England

NThompson@macmillan.org.uk

Tel: 07458004265

University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust are planning for an exciting digital future — and want to hear your thoughts.

The Trust is working towards the ambitions set out in the Government’s Ten Year Plan, which aims to move healthcare from an analogue approach to a more digital way of working. To make sure this works for everyone, they want to understand what matters most to you.

They have created a short survey to gather your views on:

• How you currently use digital technology in healthcare
• What would help you use it more in the future
• Any gaps or challenges you experience

Your feedback will help shape the new Digital Strategy, so please take a few minutes to complete the survey by visiting Developing our digital strategy together (Page 1 of 10) or scanning the QR code above.

Cumberland Council, in partnership with local NHS services, are pleased to announce the launch of a new Neurodiversity and Emotional Wellbeing Service. The service is being piloted for an initial 12 months in the Cumberland and Eden* areas from November 2025, and has been developed with the support of SENDAC, the statutory parent/ carer forum for Cumbria.

The service will focus on early intervention and prevention, offering support at soon as needs are noticed. It will provide support, advice and guidance to families with children who have needs related to neurodivergence or emotional wellbeing.

This includes children from 0-19, or young people up to aged 25 who have a diagnosed special educational need or disability. The Service team is made up of two Social Prescribers, five Support Workers, a Health & Wellbeing Coach, three Emotional Resilience Nurses, a Clinical Psychologist, and an Assistant Psychologist who can provide clinical support and guidance when needed.

The service has:
• A Neurodiversity and Emotional Wellbeing section on the Cumberland Family Hubs website which has information, advice, and strategies to support families. This includes on areas such as managing emotions, communication, and managing daily life including eating and sleeping.
• A single point of contact for parents, carers, young people, and professionals to contact the service to receive further advice and support.
• A new strength and needs assessment that can be completed with families to understand each child or young person and plan the right support.

Families and professionals can now access the service webpages, hosted on the Cumberland Family Hubs website. This includes an enquiry form that can be completed regarding any child or young person where there are concerns around needs related to neurodivergence or emotional wellbeing. The team can also be contacted via email at NDandEW@cumberland.gov.uk.

The team appreciate the patience and cooperation of families in Cumberland following the launch; the service will continue to develop as the pilot progresses.

*For children and young people living in the Eden area, signposting to follow-up support in the Westmorland and Furness Area will be provided, to ensure access to most appropriate local services
News

We are pleased to announce that our Talk referrals and Free to call telephone line will reopen on Tuesday, 2nd December 2025.

We appreciate your understanding during the recent closure and thank you for your patience throughout this period.

Attached to this email, you will find our Adult, CYP, and Self-Referral forms. 

These forms will also be available on our website: www.togetherwe.uk.

If you would like to submit a referral to Together We, please ensure all sections of the referral form are completed and send it to: referral@togetherwe.uk.

Our freephone number: 0808 196 1773 will be available at the following times:

Monday & Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Wednesday: 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Please note: The line will be closed on Thursdays and Fridays, but you are welcome to leave a message, and a member of our team will return your call as soon as possible the following week.

This year, Cumbria Community Foundation are running their Winter Warmth Fund programme.

Hundreds of older people in Cumbria are in danger of becoming ill or even dying because of the cold. Cumbria has very high levels of ‘excess winter deaths’ – people who die because they cannot afford to heat their homes and feed themselves properly.
This winter they are running a matched funding challenge, where all money donated to the appeal by Friday 19 December will be matched £1 for £1. 

To either donate or if you know someone aged 60 or over who needs support from the fund, please check out their website for further information >> click here.

We know many of our readers have questions about the upcoming PSTN switch-off, so we’ll continue to share helpful resources in our newsletters over the coming months.

Over the next few years, the traditional PSTN which has delivered services over landlines for decades, is being phased out. This process is already underway, with many lines migrated to digital services. The PSTN is outdated, energy-inefficient, costly to maintain, and no longer fit for purpose.

Moving to digital networks will ensure home phone services remain reliable, modern, and future-ready. This transition is part of a nationwide upgrade to digital voice services. However, it is important for users to engage with their service provider during this transition as digital networks are not self-powered, you may need a battery back-up for services during power outages, and some devices will not work with the new service. 

If you use assistive technology such as fall alarms or other telecare devices, it’s especially important to contact your service provider to understand how the switch-off may affect you.

For more detailed information, here are some helpful resources:

Ofcom

UK Government

Which?

Flippin’ Pain is a public health campaign with a clear goal: to change the way we think about, talk about and treat persistent pain. Getting to know the science of pain can have game-changing results.

The FREE 3-hour workshops are aimed at health care professionals and people in similar roles that wish to develop a better understanding of pain to help the people they work with - whether you’re a pain science expert or just starting out on your journey of understanding.

This workshop is suitable for GPs, physiotherapists, fitness/wellbeing coaches, therapists and anyone who supports people living with persistent pain in the Barrow and Furness region. 

Use this link to register at one of the two sessions available – but be quick as spaces are filling up >> click here

Regular subscribers to our newsletter and those that attended our February 2025 event in Kendal, will know that we have been working with Flippin’ Pain to increase the networks’ knowledge around the science of pain, so these courses are a great opportunity to learn more.

You can also access resources and watch the presentation from Flippin' Pain's Julia Gover at our Live Longer Better in Cumbria Continuing the Movement for Active Ageing Conference (February 2025) >> click here.

The November 2025 edition of the Live Longer Better in Cumbria Newsletter.

We're excited to share with you highlights, features and updates from our annual event - Connecting for Change. We teamed up with Westmorland and Furness Council to showcase some of the brilliant work being carried out across Cumbria and it was an inspiring day filled with great conversation, learning, and growing.

The Boost Bulletin - November 2025

The North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board has launched its Digital Strategic Plan to strengthen community health services. By embedding intelligent data and technology, in our region we aim to meet rising demand, improve care at home, and support families through prevention and recovery. Read the full plan and explore the vision.

Discover how nature can transform health and wellbeing. This free training from Northumberland Wildlife Trust gives you practical tools to integrate nature into your work and community, champion its benefits, and deliver activities that make a real difference. Learn to speak confidently about nature’s impact and inspire healthier, happier lives. Book your place today!

Cumberland Council’s Public Health, Customer and Community Wellbeing team is sharing a short survey that forms part of this year’s Annual Public Health Report, which is focusing on the experiences, needs, and outcomes of boys and young men in Cumberland. The survey has been developed to gather insight from professionals who work with boys and young men across education, youth services, health, early help, and justice. It takes around 5 to 7 minutes to complete and includes a mix of multiple-choice and short-answer questions. None of the questions are compulsory

We're excited to share with you highlights, features and updates from our annual event - Connecting for Change. We teamed up with Westmorland and Furness Council to showcase some of the brilliant work being carried out across Cumbria and it was an inspiring day filled with great conversation, learning, and growing.

Highlights from the meeting include:

The annual Learning from the Lives and Deaths of People with Learning Disability and Autistic People (LeDeR) annual report was presented. This report helps us find out about good practice, what has worked well, as well as where improvements can be made, helping tomake commissioning decisions about the services needed.
 
Sam Allen also gave  chief executive's report, including an update on the NHS England strategic commissioning framework that was announced earlier in the month, which is designed to support all ICBs to meet the ambition set for the future of strategic commissioning.
 
Also report on the launch of our staff consultation, which also began this week (26 November). Formal redundancy procedures had been scheduled for July this year, but were postponed due to funding uncertainties. However, recently received guidance from NHS England has enabled ICBs to progress with their consultation processes, supported by guaranteed funding that will contribute towards the redundancy costs. The guidance stipulates that ICBs are required to develop transition plans for 2025/26, implement restructuring within the financial year, and achieve both the mandated operating model and cost savings targets, which for us is a reduction of £32.5 million or 32%.
 
The transition will reduce the number of roles in the organisation. To meet the new requirements. The ICB have designed a new operating model outlining how they will work in the future. Consultation period runs until 16 January.
 
You can view the agenda and watch the discussions on our website.

The NEW framework (published 04.11.2025) sets out what NHS England expects from integrated care boards (ICBs) in the strategic commissioner role, and what ICBs and providers can expect from NHS England, as part of a step-by-step guide with an up-to-date commissioning cycle. 

The framework will be followed by a complementary co-produced strategic commissioning development programme to identify and build the skills and capabilities needed within ICBs for successful strategic commissioning.

The Model ICB Blueprint establishes a shared vision for integrated care boards (ICBs) by setting out the direction of travel for their role and functions. Strategic commissioning will be the central purpose of the ICBs of the future.

The 10 Year Health Plan promised a new commissioning framework for ICBs to turn this ambition into reality.

Follow this link to read a summary of the document:

NHS England » Strategic commissioning framework

The advice to residents includes:

• Sign up to get flood alerts and warnings from the Environment Agency. They will tell you when flooding is possible or expected in your area. Visit Get flood warnings by text, phone or email - GOV.UK
• Visit the Cumbria Local Resilience Forum website for lots of advice. Preparing for Emergencies | Cumbria Prepared
• If you know your property is at risk, consider installing flood barriers, elevating electrical systems, or buying flood sacks (modern ‘sandbags’). The council does not distribute sandbags.
• Prepare an emergency grab bag of essential supplies and documents.
• Report a flooded property on the council’s website: Report a flooded property | Cumberland Council or email LFRM@cumberland.gov.uk. This helps the council assess flood risk and look at possible ways to mitigate it in the future. It is not an emergency service – if you are in danger call 999. Find out more about what our flood team does here: About the Flood and Development Management Team | Cumberland Council

Check the long term flood risk of your area here: Check the long term flood risk for an area in England - GOV.UK

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 first)
Focus on Funding online - the latest funding opportunities
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:

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!