Supporting Content
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At a time when we’re being asked to work together, we will be sharing details of where you can find help and support from organisations and individuals in your area who are working hard to make things easier for you.
If you are in a position to help and have something that you’d like us to share, get in touch:
Email: radio.cumbria@bbc.co.uk and put "Make a Difference" into the subject title.
Phone: 0800 111 4950
Useful Information - countywide
Cumbria County Council and partners have set up an emergency support service for people in the at-risk categories who don't have support available from friends, family, neighbours or who might find it hard to make contact with a support group in their area. The helpline can be accessed on 0800 783 1966Ìý(Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5pm and 10am to 2pm at weekends)Ìýor via email on COVID19support@cumbria.gov.uk. The service will also accept referrals from members of the public who may be concerned about people in their community.
There's more detailed information below about support in specific areas.
Here's a lockdown tear-jerker if ever there was one!
Cap the sheepdog was driven 300 miles to visit his former owner in a Cumbrian care home.
What a brilliant way to get people to talk to each other!
During what can be a very lonely and isolating time, Kirkby Stephen is the place to be if you want to start up a conversation.
This community garden was in danger of "going to pot" during lockdown.
Half of its members had to shield, but they found a way to keep things going.
These four-legged friends have turned into fabulous fundraisers!
Max, Paddy and Harry have helped to raise more than £100,000 so far.
Meet the six year-old doing her bit to protect our marine life.
Sienna wanted people to help her clear rubbish off the local beach.
Here's a really positive response to the mounds of litter left by tourists in the Lake District this summer.
We've seen some heartbreaking images of the rubbish that's been left behind, but there's a campaign to sort out the problem.
How do you swim the length of Cumbria's only official lake?
Olivia and Max raised a lot of money for charity.
This is a wonderful story about a chance find during a walk on the fells which started a journey to the other side of the world
Max found a serviceman's dog tag and set out to find who it belonged to.
Can you guess what this is?
It grows in the fields, it can keep you warm, and now it seems that it's good for the garden too!
It's amazing what little legs can do!
Robyn has cycled an astonishing 100 miles in just three days. Not bad considering she's only six years-old.
How amazing is this?
It turns out there are great benefits to not mowing your lawn!
Welcome to Gras-tonbury! The school with a festival feel!
Here's how one school has come up with a novel way of getting local children back into classes...but not necessarily classrooms!
Really making a difference by getting people on the move.
Lessons on lockdown. A vision for the future from one young woman.
From dark clouds come silver linings. A huge thank you from all of us to all of you who have helped to make a difference.
Calling all fish enthusiasts. It doesn't get much fresher than this!
What a lovely lockdown surprise for 9-year-old Finley!
A moment in time captured for new generations to see
Flour is like gold dust at the moment. Everyone seems to be baking!
"Someone's Nan's been sewing PPE!" - A poem written in lockdown
It was commissioned byÌýÌýas part ofÌý
6-year-old Pippah runs for miles in pyjamas and fancy dress...that's one way to make running fun!
A deserted back alley has been transformed into something truly beautiful.
Have you seen much of your neighbours during lockdown?
7 year-old Esmae is learning lots about animals in home school and she's also been writing brilliant poetry.
(and wait for the punchline!).
Jill was "celebrating" her 80th birthday alone in lockdown.
Thank you to everyone involved.
An ex-nurse has chosen a very special name for a newly-born foal.
How amazing is this painting of Captain (now Colonel) Tom Moore!
The brilliant Marjorie is stitching scrubs for health workers.
This is the heartbreaking reality for nurses on the frontline treating patients with Covid-19.
Some patients get to return home. For those who don't, here's how nurses provide comfort in their final hours.
10-year-old Layla has raised thousands for the NHS... and she's done it in the most brilliant way!
What an amazing way to thank key workers!
Ruby is painting the town red...and blue...and yellow!
There's nothing like a bit of socially-distanced dancing to cheer you up!
Useful information - local support groups in Allerdale and Copeland
Age UK West Cumbria -ÌýÌý-Ìýhas set up two local helplines during the pandemic - 01900 233153 or 01900 233154. This is for information, advice and support to anyone aged 55+ in Allerdale and Copeland who is worried or struggling during this time (open weekdays 9am-4pm)
Other local groups who may be able to help:
Braithwaite Volunteers (covering Braithwaite, Thornthwaite and Newlands Valley)ÌýÌý- 017687 53119
The Northern Fells GroupÌý(coveringÌýIreby & Uldale, Boltons, Westward & Rosley, Sebergham & Welton, Caldbeck & Castle Sowerby). If you can volunteer or need support and live in . Call Simon Braithwaite on 016974 77196 or visitÌý
West Cumbria Support Group - 0333 33 55 22 6. They then put you in touch with your nearest local group.
Useful information - local support groups in Carlisle and Eden
Age UK in Carlisle and Eden says it's continuing to offer an essentials-only shop and prescription pick-up service for the most vulnerable who have no other means of accessing these.ÌýÌýor phoneÌý01228 536673 and leave a message with your details. Please note it may take several working days to receive a response.
The Leave a Light On Facebook page -ÌýÌý-Ìýwhich is mainly serving the north of the county - has a 24 hour helpline for anyone looking for advice and help with accommodation, home-schooling, financial and legal guidance and emergency repairs. They also deliver treat hampers to nominated deserving people. The helpline is 07586 456495
Other local groups who may be able to help:Ìý
There's a group covering Newbiggin and Dacre near Penrith. They can be contacted on 07546 082324Ìý
Ìý(Scotby, Warwick, Wetheral and the Cooperative Hearts)
Useful information - local support groups in Barrow and South Lakeland
Age UK South LakelandÌý-ÌýÌý-Ìýsays it now has a range of services up and running for people over 55 who've been told they have to self-isolate and may be struggling to get help. This includes delivering shopping, medicines, hearing aid batteries, and books. Telephone befriending is also available. Call 030 300 30003
Other local groups who may be able to help:
The charity Cancer Care -ÌýÌý-Ìýwhich provides support for people affected by cancer and bereavement in South Cumbria, offers practical support to its clients via 03330 150628
The Barrow Hub via the County Council helpline - 0800 783 1966 or via email on COVID19support@cumbria.gov.uk - It's open Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5pm and 10am to 2pm at weekends.
Millom and district - the Town Council has an emergency phone line for people needing help - 07801 957541
Ìý
Useful information - mental health
We know that the lockdown will have an impact on everyone's mental well-being in one way or another. The NHS trust which provides mental health services in Cumbria has a wide range of downloadable leaflets to help with all sorts of issues. You can find them at
And for tips on how to keep on top of your mental well-being and cope with how you may feel while spending long hours at home, visit
The Samaritans can be contacted via or by calling free on 116 123. They are very used to giving support over the phone.
The mental health charity has various ways you can get in touch for help and support.ÌýThe Mindline service is on 0300 561 000 (Monday to Friday 12 to 11pm, weekends and bank holidays 5-11pm). Or text 'Mind' to 81066 followed by your question. Or for a webchat visit
The Cumbrian charity has a team of experienced counsellors to help anyone in the county who is feeling isolated, worried or anxious. It's open from Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm on 01229 832269Ìý
The mental health charity Mencap is launching a new online series on YouTube this week called MencapTV.Ìý Every day there will be activities to keep you entertained - it will include simple exercise routines and other activities for the whole family.Ìý
If you are an older person and looking for emotional support out of office hours - then you can ring SilverlineÌýonÌý0800 470 80 90. It's free and confidential and is staffed all day, every day.
The Together We not-for-profit group which offers mental and physical health and wellbeing support for women in West Cumbria is offering free virtual workouts, live streamed fitnessÌýclasses and psycho-educational workshops on their website -
The organisation offers free, safe and anonymous online support for young people.
Public Health England has lots of advice on how to look after your mental well-being during these difficult times. Things that can help include:
Maintaining relationships with friends and family via telephone, video calls or social media
Helping and supporting others
Doing things you enjoy
Setting a daily routine
Talking about your worries
Looking after your physical wellbeing
Making sure you get enough sleep
And not spending too long each day reading, watching or listening to the newsÌý
Useful information - for farmers
There are various kinds of support available for farmers.
TheÌýFarming Community NetworkÌýoffers a wide range of support via theirÌýÌýwebsite.You can also ring them onÌý03000 111 999.Ìý
TheÌýÌý(also know as "Yellow Wellies") is a UK wide charity dedicated to raising awareness of farm safety and mental wellbeing in farmers -Ìý01789 416065.
TheÌýÌý(0808 281 9490ÌýorÌý0300 111 4166Ìýin Scotland) offers financial support, practical care and guidance to farming people of all ages, including farmers, farmworkers and dependents.
Ìýis a charity set up after extreme weather events to relieve the suffering of farm animals by providing feed, bedding and/or transportation.
Useful information - domestic abuse
Cumbria Police are reminding people that support is available for anyone suffering domestic abuse.Ìý They say they haven't seen a recorded rise in cases locally over the past few months, but the concern is that domestic abuse has become more hidden and is not being reported. In an emergency, always ring 999.
have staff available 24/7 on 08 08 16 89 111
Other organisations include and in North Cumbria, and in South Cumbria, and in West Cumbria.
and are also there to help victims of rape and sexual assault.
Most children are safe at home at the moment, but some may be more at risk while schools are closed. If you are a child who needs help, or if you are worried about a child in your community, you can contact:
on 0800 1111
on 0333 2401727
And again, in an emergency, always call the police on 999.
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