Health and Wellbeing News, Events and Opportunities – January 2026
January 12, 2026
Welcome to Cumbria CVS’s Health and Wellbeing News, Events and Opportunities for January 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
NORTH CUMBRIA NHS area – ADHD & Me – iCan Wellbeing Group
A six-week course called ADHD & ME, which is designed to support those over the age of 18 who have a diagnosis of ADHD, or who are currently awaiting an assessment, to better understand their ADHD and identify their strengths.
To book onto the course, individuals simply need to call 01228 819 101 (option 2) and ask to speak to Jade Clifford.
We will be running sessions at the following locations:
- Raffles Cerebral Palsy Resource Centre
Starting Monday 2nd February 2026, 10:00–13:00- 10:00–11:30: ADHD & ME
- 11:30–12:00: Lunch break (please note lunch is not provided)
- 12:00–13:00: Ikigai — our course focused on finding purpose
- Brampton Community Centre
Starting Tuesday 3rd February 2026, 10:30–12:00 - Harraby Community Centre
Starting Friday 6th February 2026, 10:30–12:00
In addition to this, we also run a weekly ADHD social group at iCan Wellness. If individuals are interested in attending, they would need to be registered with us. This can be completed during one of our Wellness Tours. To book, they can again contact us on 01228 819 101 (option 2) and ask to speak to me.
Please also note that the CNTW Lived Experience Programme is currently running its final cohort from 14th January(which is fully booked). After this, the sessions will no longer be delivered from iCan.
Click here for more information
CUMBERLAND COUNCIL area – NEW support for local veterans applying for Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs)
All War Pensions and Armed Forces Compensation payments will now be fully disregarded when assessing DFG applications. This change removes financial barriers that previously affected a small number of applicants who were required to contribute toward the cost of essential home adaptations.
Most veterans already receive the full grant; however, for those who did not, this update will ensure greater fairness and improved access to the support they need to live safely and independently at home.
Residents who would like more information, or who wish to share this update with someone who may benefit, can contact grants@cumberland.gov.uk.
WESTMORLAND AND FURNESS Council area – Changes to parent carer representation from SENDAC to CONTACT
Joint statement from SENDAC and Westmorland & Furness Local Authority regarding parent carer forum arrangements following local government reorganisation.
Click here to read the statement.
COUNTYWIDE – Work and Health “Link and Think” event
A networking and information sharing event for link workers (social prescribers, health and wellbeing coaches, care coordinators and more) and any organisations who support people around work, wellbeing and health.
This could be as part of one of the big programs such as Work Well or Connect to Work, but equally it could be local, small scale and everything in between!
Link workers will find out more about the various programs and organisations that can help anyone struggling to balance health, wellbeing and work. VCFSE organisations can connect with the link workers who are well placed to support people into their services.
Tables are available for stalls but must be reserved in advance by emailing hollyf@cumbriacvs.org.uk.
Agenda to follow, but a networking buffet lunch will be provided free of charge from 12.30.
When
4th, February 2026 from 09:30 to 13:00
Location
Wigton Market Hall
Church Street
Wigton, CA7 9AA
Click here to book on
COUNTYWIDE – Poverty Proofing © Healthcare Training
We understand that minimising the impact of poverty on healthcare provision is key to breaking the link between an individual’s income and their opportunity to live a long, healthy life. Our Poverty Proofing© team experts can support healthcare teams to listen to the experiences of their patients, staff and stakeholders on how poverty impacts them. We can then provide tailored guidance, built on evidence and tested methods, on what actions can support improvement in areas such as access, participation, experience and long-term engagement.
What will you gain from the training
Staff will gain understanding and awareness about:
-How poverty is defined
-Poverty statistics in a national and local context
-The causes and consequences of poverty
-The unconscious bias and stigma surrounding poverty
-The link between poverty and health outcomes
-How organisational practices can create barriers to accessing healthcare
-Why a whole system approach is needed when addressing health inequalities
-How the lived experience of individuals can be used to inform change
The two session dates are below
10th March 2026 9.30am-12.30pm
26th March 2026 12pm-3pm
Click here for more information
COUNTYWIDE – CumbriaMed Research Webinar on Health Inequalities
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: Health Inequalities
Date: Thursday 22 January 2026
Time: 12:30–13:30
Location: Zoom (registration required)
Register: tinyurl.com/pcsm-webi6
Speakers:
• Prof Judith Rankin OBE – Professor of Maternal and Child Health, Newcastle University, and Co-Lead of the NIHR Challenge Maternity Disparities Consortium.
“NIHR Maternal Health Inequalities Research Programme”
Judith works in maternal and child health research and has a long-standing interest in health inequalities affecting women and babies. Her research includes maternal risk factors, congenital anomalies, and the experiences of underserved families when trying to access maternity and child health services.
• Prof Joy Duxbury OBE – Professor of Mental Health and Director of Research for the Institute of Health, University of Cumbria.
“Thinking Mental Health Inequalities”
Joy is a mental health nurse by background and a clinical academic. Her career has centred on improving mental-health care for people whose voices are often overlooked, including those in rural or disadvantaged settings. She brings expertise in trauma-informed practice, involving people with lived experience, and reducing reliance on restrictive or coercive interventions.
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)
COUNTYWIDE – People with mental health lived experience needed. Can you help?
The University of Cumbria is launching a major research project to improve mental health research across the region. To make sure we get it right we need to be guided by your lived experience.
Who are we looking for?
We invite you to join our new research group if you are from Cumbria and:
- Have personal experience of mental health challenges or emotional distress.
- Care for a family member or friend who has faced these challenges.
- Are passionate about improving local mental health services
We are especially keen to hear from people in rural and coastal areas, young people, people with learning disabilities and autistic people, and those from agricultural communities.
What’s involved?
As an advisory group member, you will:
- Share your views in regular meetings
- Guide research to focus on what truly matters
- Ensure community voices are at the heart of the project
What’s in it for you?
- Payment for your time and expertise
- Full reimbursement for travel
- Support and training to help you feel confident and develop in your role
Want to find out more?
For a friendly, no obligation chat, please contact:
Alexis Quinn (Lived Experience Lead)
Email: a.quinn@restraintreductionnetwork.org
NORTH CUMBRIA NHS area – NCIC Foundation Trust begins search for new Chair
The hunt is on for a new Chair to lead the Board at the North Cumbria Integrated Care Foundation Trust that runs hospitals and health services in North Cumbria.
The Chair role is crucial to the leadership of North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, overseeing the strategic direction and culture of the organisation, building local relationships and holding the Chief Executive and other Executive Directors to account for performance.
The post became vacant after the previous Chair, Steven Morgan, stepped down because of ill health.
Candidates will be expected to have considerable board level experience of leading in large complex organisations and be able to demonstrate a commitment to the values and principles of the NHS.
The three day per week role attracts a salary of £51,400 per annum and the appointment will be for 2 to 4 years subject to an annual performance review by the Trust’s Governors’ Council.
COUNTYWIDE – Participate in Gov UK ‘Make Work Pay: leave for bereavement including pregnancy loss’. Open consultation
The Employment Rights Bill introduced a new day-one right to unpaid bereavement leave for employees who experience the loss of a loved one, including pregnancy loss before 24 weeks.
We are seeking views to ensure the new entitlement is shaped with the needs of employees and employers at the forefront. This consultation seeks views on:
• eligibility criteria
• types of pregnancy loss in scope
• when and how bereavement leave can be taken
• notice and evidence requirements
We welcome views from all stakeholders, particularly those with insight into this sensitive and personal topic. This may include charities, individuals with lived experience, and employers.
This consultation closes at 11:59pm 15 January 2026.
Click here for more information
