Health and Wellbeing News, Events and Opportunities – November 2025
November 4, 2025
Welcome to Cumbria CVS’s Health and Wellbeing News, Events and Opportunities for November 2025. 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 – Chair of NCIC Foundation Trusts steps down because of ill health
Chair of North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trusts steps down because of ill health.
Steven Morgan has stepped down from his role as Chair of North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust (NCIC) with effect from 1st November 2025 following a period of illness.
Click here to read more
CUMBERLAND COUNCIL area – New support service and drop in sessions from BID Services
– Tinnitus Support Group – Do you live in Cumbria and have Tinnitus? Join our friendly support group. Taking place the 2nd Wednesday of every month 10.30am-11.30am at St James Church Parish Centre, St James’ Road, Carlisle, CA2 5DP.
– Drop in for special equipment – Need information about specialist equipment for your hearing loss? or need some general advice? Taking place 1st Wednesday of each month 10.30am-11.30am (starting 3rd December) at Whitehaven Library, Lowther St, Whitehaven, CA28 7QZ.
Click here to read more
COUNTYWIDE – Join a Patient, Public Involvement and Community Engagement (PPICE) group to help deliver NEW University of Cumbria mental health research
The University of Cumbria has recently secured funding for a landmark 3.5-year project to tackle mental health inequalities across the region. For too long, the unique challenges faced by communities in Cumbria – especially in our more remote and rural areas – have been under-researched.
Our goal is to change that by putting the voices of those with real-world experience at the very heart of it. We want to listen, understand and co-develop practical, lasting solutions and research that genuinely make a difference. To do this, we need your help.
We are looking for a dedicated group of about 10-12 people to form our core Patient, Public Involvement and Community Engagement (PPICE) group. This group will be our project’s conscience, its guide and its driving force.
What does being involved look like?
The commitment would be to attend several meetings until the project finishes. In these sessions, we won’t just be asking for your opinions; we’ll be working together to:
• Shape the project’s direction and research priorities.
• Co-design solutions and how they are delivered.
• Ensure the project team’s work is grounded in reality and meets the needs of Cumbrian communities.
The group aims to be more than just a feedback group – the vision is for a partnership that is equal. Your input will be fed directly back to the main project executive group, influencing decisions at the highest level. There will also be opportunities for training and authoring in research and co-production if this interests you, helping you to develop new skills if you wish.
Thank you for your time and for considering this exciting opportunity.
If you’re interested in learning more, please express your interest in this project by contacting Alexis Quinn:
Alexis Quinn A.quinn@restraintreductionnetwork.org
NORTH CUMBRIA NHS area – Full WorkWell Programme (Pillar 1, 2 & 3) Learning/involvement sessions November & December 2025
Learn more about WorkWell and opportunities for the VCSE sector – join our webinars
The VCSE Partnership Programme is hosting a series of one-hour webinars, delivered by the North East and North Cumbria (NENC) Integrated Care Board (ICB), to support the VCSE sector to better understand WorkWell and the opportunities it affords to VCSE organisations, the VCSE workforce and the people and communities who use our services. The VCSE sector plays a vital role in supporting the wider determinants of health and helping people to stay in work, and is acknowledged by the ICB as a key partner within WorkWell.
The webinars will enable attendees to hear new information about the WorkWell programme, and participate in discussions with ICB leads. Each webinar has a separate focus, based upon the different areas of WorkWell. Booking details below:
What is WorkWell? – introductory webinar
Monday 17th November, 2pm – 3pm, online
Claire Mills, NENC ICB Programme Manager, will explain in detail what the WorkWell programme is, how it came about, and how it has developed.
She will explore what it means to our region and how the VCSE sector is currently involved in planning and delivery of the programme.
The webinar will provide detail about the three ‘pillars’ of WorkWell – support for individuals; support for the health and care workforce including the VCSE sector; and support for employers.
There will also be the opportunity for questions and discussions following Claire’s presentation.
WorkWell webinar – support for health and care staff
Thursday 4th December, 3pm – 4pm, online
This webinar will be delivered by Lee Sprudd, NENC ICB Programme Manager.
Lee will share in-depth information about ‘pillar two’ of the WorkWell programme, which focusses on support for health and care staff, including the variety of services available. All of which can be accessed by VCSE sector employees.
Lee will also share progress and aspirations relating to collaborative work with the VCSE sector to support pillar two aims.
The session will conclude with time dedicated to questions and further discussion.
EDEN area – Fit4All Promoting Physical activity and wellbeing throughout Eden
Join us for a variety of fun, friendly activities designed to help you stay active, healthy, and connected—right here in the Eden District or from the comfort of your own home.
Our classes are led by fully qualified instructors who understand a wide range of medical conditions and work closely with NHS community care teams, local GP practices and Westmorland and Furness council to support your wellbeing.
We aim to promote physical, social and mental well being through accessible exercises. Built on the 5S’ Stamina, strength, suppleness, skill and SMILES.
Click here for more information.
CUMBERLAND COUNCIL area – Are you a volunteer in Cumbria? Do you manage or work with volunteers across Cumbria? If so, TIME IS TICKING to help shape the future of volunteering in Cumbria
The Vision for Volunteering surveys are open until 30 November so please do have your say and fill them in NOW!
(it only takes 6-8 minutes):
- If you are a volunteer – Help Shape the Future of Volunteering in Cumbria
- If you work with volunteers – Your Voice, Your Vision: Volunteer Managers Survey
Also, please attend one of our remaining face-to-face workshops across the county to help us to shape the Vision for the Future of Volunteering in Cumbria.
Sign up here:
14 November: Cumbria Volunteering Strategy Engagement Workshop – Barrow | Cumbria CVS
19 November: Cumbria Volunteering Strategy Engagement Workshop – Allerdale | Cumbria CVS
20 November: Cumbria Volunteering Strategy Engagement Workshop – Penrith | Cumbria CVS
25 November : Cumbria Volunteering Strategy Engagement Workshop – Copeland | Cumbria CVS
Why are we doing this?
Volunteers are pivotal to the work of many of our local organisations and volunteering is a powerful force for change on both a local and national level, but we know that currently it isn’t equally accessible or enjoyable for everyone. Over recent years we have seen many changes to the way in which people volunteer because of the pandemic, cost of living crisis and a rise in loneliness and as a result volunteering needs to adapt to remain relevant, strong and attractive for both existing and future volunteers.
Cumbria CVS is committed to future-proofing volunteering activity across the county and over the next few months will be running two surveys and a series of six engagement workshops with local community groups, third sector organisations, key stakeholders and partners and volunteers from local communities to develop a Cumbria Volunteering Strategy.
We have funding to seek the views of volunteers and volunteer leads to help us to shape the future of volunteering across Cumbria. We would love to hear your views – what is good, could be improved and any big ideas you have.
There are two ways to get involved:
- Fill in our survey
- Attend one of our workshops
See links above.
COUNTYWIDE – Bereavement Support opportunities
Click the link below to view the upcoming Bereavement Support opportunities around the county.
Click here for more information.
SOUTH CUMBRIA NHS area – FREE Getting Started with NHS Apps (KEN25T018)
Cumbria Adult Learning are delivering a FREE Getting started with NHS Apps course
Wednesday, 17 December 2025 13:30 – 15:30 Victoria Hall (Grange)
About the course:
This course has been designed for Adults who want to get the most out of using Apps to access GP services. Everything you need to know about your NHS account and the NHS App, as well as others, to help you access NHS services online.
How will the course be delivered?
You will work directly with your tutor as part of a small group covering the course aims. Your tutor will feed back to you throughout each session on your progress.
What do I need to bring?
You must bring your fully charged device with you.You might find a pen and notebook handy to take notes and if you wear glasses don’t forget to bring those too.
Follow the link to book a place:
https://adultlearningcumbria.org/search-courses-0/getting-started-nhs-apps-ken25t018
Find out more about other Beginners sessions to using iPhones and Androids
https://adultlearningcumbria.org/search-courses-0?search_api_fulltext=Getting+Started+with+NHS+Apps
CUMBERLAND COUNCIL area – Get Winter Ready!
As the colder months approach, we’re launching our ‘Winter Ready’ campaign, your go-to hub for support, advice, and resources to help you, your family, and your business stay safe, warm, and well this winter.
From frosty roads to flu season, our updated webpages are packed with practical tips and essential information — all in one easy-to-access place. What’s new this year?
What’s available?
- Regular updates and advice across our social media channels.
- Handy sections covering:
- Your Health in Winter Weather – stay protected with up-to-date guidance.
- Emergency Planning – prepare for flooding and check property risks.
- Winter Travel – get the latest safety tips and weather alerts.
Cost of Living Support – find help with household expenses.
