Cumbria CVS worked with the Northern Cancer Alliance and Macmillan between 2018 and 2023 to support personalised care and recovery for people affected by cancer in North Cumbria.

Some of those Living With and Beyond Cancer Services are now being continued by a team of dedicated volunteers. For more information please visit their Facebook page.

A cancer diagnosis can affect anyone at any age and can impact many aspects of a person’s life. The focus of recovery from cancer will always be on the best possible medical care and treatment available. However, supporting people to overcome the many challenges they face on their cancer journey will also have a positive impact on recovery.

Our volunteer led Living With and Beyond Cancer project focusses on shared lived experience and the value of peer support. We recognise that there is a need to provide space and time for people to meet others who are experiencing similar challenges to them. We provide emotional and social support over a cuppa to those who are currently or have been affected by a cancer diagnosis.

We also provide links to the rich variety of additional support from the wider voluntary sector, helping people to feel better connected and able to cope with the many challenges they may face.

‘I never thought I’d be the type of person who went to a support group but I went along to see what it was like and I have found it really helpful and have been going regularly for over a year now’ Living with & beyond Cancer coffee morning attendee.

Alongside our regular coffee mornings we also organise extra social meet ups, walks and activities around Cumbria. Details are shared via our coffee morning volunteers.

Living With and Beyond Cancer services include:

Peer Support – Living with & Beyond Cancer Coffee Mornings

Our Cumbria wide Coffee Mornings are spaces where people can meet up and be with others affected by a cancer diagnosis who understand the issues associated.

There are three cafes in North Cumbria currently facilitated by experienced volunteers.

• Workington – The Blue Windmill Club meets at the Carnegie Theatre every second and fourth Tuesday of the month between 10 and 11:30am.
• Carlisle – Living with & Beyond Cancer Coffee Morning at iCan Wellbeing Group CIO, The Maltings every Wednesday between 10 and 11:30am.
• Penrith – The Blue Windmill Club meets in Booths café, Penrith on the third Thursday of every month between 10 and 11:30am.

Call in for a friendly chat and a coffee, for the meetings in the public spaces please just look out for the table with the blue windmill.

You can drop in to any of the coffee mornings or you can let us know you’re coming along beforehand if you prefer. You can contact us via email or via our Facebook page.

lwbc.carlisle@gmail.com
lwbc.eden@gmail.com
lwbc.workington@gmail.com

Get involved

If you are interested in volunteering to support our project, we would love to hear from you via any of the above contact methods.