Health and Wellbeing News, Events and Opportunities – September 2026
September 8, 2026
Welcome to Cumbria CVS’s Health and Wellbeing News, Events and Opportunities for September 2026. This page will be updated regularly, so we are delighted you have landed here today and hope that you will keep coming back for updates during the month.
Lots of the News, Events and Opportunities information will also be appearing in our regular Health and Wellbeing Bulletin. This Bulletin is sent out to all current members of our two Networks: Action for Health and the Mental Health Provider Forum. If you have found this page useful why not join either or both Networks by following these links:
News – we will be using this as an opportunity to pick out particularly important/interesting articles from our most recent Bulletin and/or highlighting information that might be time sensitive.
Events – we will be using this as an opportunity to highlight events of interest to organisations interested in health and care issues including Network events. Most of these will be local Cumbria events but some maybe regional.
Opportunities – we will be using this to highlight health and care focused funding and project opportunities, representative roles and working groups you might want to get involved in and much more. These will focus on Cumbria but may also include regional opportunities.
If you’ve seen something you think we should be sharing, let us know! Email us:
Clare Edwards claree@cumbriacvs.org.uk
Holly Ferguson hollyf@cumbriacvs.org.uk
Sarah Penn sarah.penn@cumbriacvs.org.uk
COUNTYWIDE – Employment rights for carers National Consultation
Carers UK and employment rights for carers
Last month, the Department for Business and Trade launched a new consultation on employment rights for carers which is seeking views on paid Carers’ Leave and other entitlements such as a right to return to work after caring for someone at the end of their life. Carers UK have long campaigned for stronger legal protections and flexibility for working carers. They have prepared a briefing for organisations wishing to respond to the consultation and are running a webinar on 4 August to explore the consultation and consider how, together, we can maximise its impact. Sign up here to attend the webinar.
NORTH CUMBRIA NHS area – All the news updates and FREE training from Boost
This edition incudes:
- Information about FREE skills development for social prescribing link workers
- Reasonable Adjustments Digital Flag – Primary care compliance webinar
- Introduction to Designing and Carrying out an Evaluation
- The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training
Click here to read the newsletter.
FURNESS AND SOUTH LAKES area – Neu Way Support
Neu Way Support is for families in Furness and South Lakes. It gives advice, guidance and practical help for families of children and young people with neurodevelopmental differences. This includes children who may be autistic, have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), or need extra support with how they learn, communicate or experience the world.
If you are worried about your child’s development, it can be hard to know where to start. You may be waiting for an assessment, looking for advice, or trying to understand what support is available. Neu Way Support can help you find the right information and next steps.
Who can use the service
You can use Neu Way Support if you are:
- starting to have questions about your child’s needs
- waiting for an assessment
- waiting for a diagnosis
- recently diagnosed
- looking for practical advice and support
- a parent, carer or family member who needs guidance
You do not need a formal diagnosis to use the service. Support is based on your child’s needs.
Support available
When you contact Neu Way Support, you will speak to a trained co-ordinator. They will listen to your concerns and help you understand the support available.
You can get:
- advice and guidance
- practical strategies to use at home
- information about local services
- help while waiting for an assessment
- support groups and workshops
- links to trusted organisations in your area
After your conversation, you will receive information and resources that match your family’s needs.
Benefits of the service
Families often tell us that waiting for assessments can feel stressful and confusing. Neu Way Support helps families get advice and support earlier, so they do not have to face these challenges alone.
The service aims to help families feel informed, supported and confident about what to do next. Neu Way Support in Furness and South Lakes will be provided by Triple A. Contact details Tel: 0300 365 5030
CUMBERLAND COUNCIL area – Introduction to The Picture In Cumberland Report
Introduction to The Picture In Cumberland Report – Online session 07.10.2026 10am to 11am
This event focuses on all the great data, research findings and information produced in the NEW Picture In Cumberland Report.
The session will be led by staff from Cumberland HDRC who created the report.
Covering the 7 themes selected by HDRC stakeholders (including the third sector) the session is a must for anyone involved in supporting and/or delivering services focused on or aligned to:
- Poverty
- Mental Health
- Neurodiversity
- Substance Use
- Obesity & Food Insecurity
- Cared for Children
- Pathways to Employment
- Access to Housing
You will be introduced to a range of key data from the Cumberland area and supported to understand how the data highlights key themes and significant issues of concern.
This session has been designed specifically for local third sector organisation.
You can read a copy of the report here:
Click here to book onto the event
SOUTH CUMBRIA NHS area – Carers’ support information event
🗓️Thursday 15 October 10.30-12.30
📍Kendal Rugby Club, Shap Road, Kendal, LA9 6NY.
On the day, talks will cover topics including carers assessments, Lasting Power of Attorney, carers’ counselling, local support services and more. Attendees will also have the chance to meet the Parkinson’s Local Adviser for the area and visit information stands from exhibitors including Parkinson’s UK’s Kendal Support Group, Age UK South Cumbria, Carer Support South Lakes, and Westmorland and Furness Carer Support Service.
A buffet lunch will be served from 12.30.
Carers may be a family member, partner, or friend, and both carers and people with Parkinson’s are welcome. Booking is essential.
To book your FREE place and lunch, please contact our team: contactnorthwest@parkinsons.org.uk or 0344 2253 628
CUMBERLAND COUNCIL area – North Cumbria Work and Health – Link and Think Event
A joint event between Cumbria CVS, Cumberland Social Prescribing Team, and the Cumbria Combined Authority Work, Health, and Skills Team. The aim of the event is to enhance connectivity in the work and health space, providing updates on major programmes, landscape, and networking opportunities. All culminating in greater engagement with programmes.
VCSE organisations and work and health programmes will be invited to bring stalls and pop up banners around the room.
Exact timings to be confirmed…
Church Street
Wigton, CA7 9AA
COUNTYWIDE – Action for Health Chair recruitment
Do you have a passion for health and care delivered in Cumbria by the third sector?
Do you want to get more involved in developing new concepts of Neighbourhood Health?
Do you want our health and care system to develop better services with people at their heart?
Could you be Cumbria Action for Health’s new CHAIR(s).
Cumbria has a vibrant and innovative third sector that delivers 1,000s of fantastic health and care services across the county.
Staff and volunteers are passionate about the work they do and work hard to ensure the services they provide make a difference to people from all walks of life in all of our communities.
It’s important that third sector organisations work together adding value to one another’s services. We also need to work together to make sure we reach right out into the remotest communities and the most disadvantaged neighbourhoods and ensure we grow and build new services where they are needed most.
Our services also need to be integrated with and to complement all the other services provided by our partners in the statutory and private sector.
That’s why Cumbria Action for Health is so important and why we need an enthusiastic new Chair or Chairs (job share) to lead the Network for the next 3 years.
Are you:
- A powerful ambassador for all the great health and care services the third sector delivers in North Cumbria?
- Skilled at describing and delivering the third sector’s core skills of innovation, flexibility, working at pace, reach into disadvantaged communities?
- Skilled at working in and leading multi-agency initiatives?
- Passionate about providing the third sector with a pro-active, positive voice in health and care in Cumbria
We are looking for an individual and/or two individuals in a job share arrangement who currently works and/or volunteer within a third sector organisation that delivers health and/or care services in Cumbria and who has experience of leading partnerships, multi-agencies projects or Networks.
What is Cumbria Action for Health?
Cumbria Action for Health is a network of 100s of third sector organisations all of whom deliver health and care services in Cumbria. The network has been in operation for over 15 years.
It is a vibrant and lively group of staff and volunteers who value getting together to:
- promote their organisations & services
- find out about support, training, key contacts and good practice
- keep up to date on health and wellbeing issues
- find out about local, regional and national policies and access information which may affect groups and their beneficiaries
- influence decisions made in Cumbria regarding health and wellbeing through consultations, and by representing the network at strategic meetings
- provide an opportunity to develop and deliver a unified third sector voice in relation to health and care issues, concerns, governance and structures across the county
The network meets on alternate months of the year, with additional events held as necessary.
To view the information pack click HERE
Click HERE to submit an application form.
For more information or if you would like to discuss the role please contact:
Clare Edwards – Health Partnerships Manager claree@cumbriacvs.org.uk
Deadline for application: 10am Monday 28th September 2026.
Interviews/election will take place between 05.10.2026 and 26.10.2026.
The new Chair(s) will be announced during the week of 02.11.2026.
The successful candidate will have an Induction Period with the NEW Chair(s) assuming full responsibilities from 01.01.2027.
NORTH CUMBRIA NHS area – SMMILES Project (Substance Misuse & Mental Illness: Lived Experience Support), delivered by The Well Communities
The project supports individuals experiencing both mental health difficulties and substance misuse issues, helping those with co-occurring conditions to engage with appropriate support and work towards their recovery goals.
SMMILES provides person-centred, trauma-informed support and works alongside individuals who may be facing complex challenges in their daily lives as a result of their mental health and substance use. The service aims to reduce isolation, strengthen community connections, improve wellbeing, and support long-term recovery.
We are keen to receive referrals from services working with people who may benefit from additional support around co-occurring mental health and substance misuse needs.
A referral form is attached to this email.
Please send completed referrals directly to:
smmiles@thewell2.co.uk
If you would like any further information about the project, referral criteria, or how SMMILES may be able to support the people you work with, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Click here to view the referral form
COUNTYWIDE – Support for local farmers from Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution
Farming can bring its own unique pressures, and sometimes knowing where to turn for support isn’t easy.
The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) provides practical, financial and emotional support to farmers and people within the farming community.
Support includes:
- 🌱 One-to-one counselling and emotional support
- 💬 Online wellbeing support through Click & Chat
- 💷 Financial support and grants
- 📋 Benefits guidance and help accessing financial entitlements
- 🧠 Farming-focused mental health support
RABI also provides a free, confidential 24/7 helpline on 0800 188 4444.
Whether you’re struggling financially, feeling overwhelmed or simply need someone to talk to, support is available.
