Signposting to other organisations
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Local:
Bereavement Support- from Cumbria County Council
Every Life Matters: Cumbrian organisation which works to prevent suicide and support those who have lost a loved one to suicide. They have free resources and training as well as lots of practical tips for getting through, and a really good COVID wellbeing pack.
First Step – north, east and west Cumbria’s NHS talking therapies service – you can self refer or be referred by your GP for free access to CBT for “mild to moderate” depression and anxiety, anger or sleep issues https://gateway.mayden.co.uk/referral-v2/ea77c8a7-44e4-4b74-a504-7ea7bef8d4f1 . There is also an online package specifically targeted to help address perinatal mental health issues.
Health and Wellbeing Coaches – run by Cumbria County Council - they work with you to make positive changes to your life
Perinatal mental health teams: treat and support mums (up to 1 year post birth) and pregnant women with mental health problems: North Cumbria; South Cumbria
Maternal Mental Health Hub (details coming soon!)
Mindline Cumbria – support, advice and information around mental illness
We Can – wellbeing hub attached to the ICan gym in Carlisle
Ways to Wellbeing workshops - Cumbrian workshops to help you manage your wellbeing.
National:
Action on Post-Partum Psychosis - national charity for women and families affected by postpartum psychosis (PP). PP is a severe mental illness which begins suddenly following childbirth.
Birth Trauma Association - small organisation with a Facebook group and email peer support for women you experienced trauma around birth or miscarriage.
Breathe’s YouTube channel offers a series of Wellbeing Workshops including creative writing, drawing, dance and poetry
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) – Whilst their campaigning focus is on male suicide, their helplines and webchat are open to anyone, 0800 585858 5pm-midnight every day or they have a webchat page.
Eating disorder support – from Beat – they have a helpline on 0808 801 0711 and are open 365 days a year, 12-6pm Mon-Fri, 4-8pm weekends and bank holidays.
Every Mind Matters – Get a personalised Mind plan from NHS – points you in the direction of lots of other resources
Headspace – Website and app for meditation, mindfulness and relaxation, starting at 1 minute – they are offering a free set of dedicated resources for you called ‘Weathering the Storm’
Mind – Side by Side is their new online community to support people with mental health problems (it replaces Elefriends from September 2020) – And they have lots of great information about maternal mental health conditions
PANDAS - national charity supporting women with post-natal depression through a support line, peer groups and information.
Papyrus – They focus on people under 35 and have a phone line (0800 0684141) Monday to Friday 9am – 10pm, weekends and bank holidays 2pm-10pm, and a text service (07860039967) and email service (pat@papyrus-org.uk). They also have a really good database of Apps that can help.
Samaritans: Has a 24-hour helpline (116123) and an email chat service (jo@samaritans.org) if speaking to someone is too overwhelming.
Seasonal Affective Disorder - NHS guide to the condition, and how to get help
Shout – Text support for mental health problems
Tommys - National charity which researches and informs about issues such as miscarriage, baby loss, and has some great resources on mental health and wellbeing
Parenting, family and relationships
Local:
Children's centres: Find your nearest children’s centre here: https://www.gov.uk/find-sure-start-childrens-centre
Cumbria Family Support offer support for families and children in the area
Diff-Ability – Cumbrian not-for-profit which supports families with children who have Down’s Syndrome, autism, learning disability, disabilities and neuro-diversity –
Family Action – run courses and activities for free online and at Children’s Centres
Carlisle: https://www.facebook.com/CarlisleSupport;
Allerdale: https://www.facebook.com/AllerdaleSupport;
Copeland: www.facebook.com/CopelandSupport
Gateway for Women – women’s centre in Carlisle
Leos - Local charity supporting families who have or have had a baby in a neonatal unit.
West North East Cumbria Maternity Voices Partnership offer advice, advertise classes and support networks and provide opportunities to feedback on local maternity services
Turning the Spotlight - Supports couples and families in Cumbria where low-level conflict, violence or abuse has been identified. We also work with individuals who have (or are at risk of) causing harm.
Women Out West – west Cumbrian women’s group
National
Best Beginnings - https://www.bestbeginnings.org.uk/
NCT (National Childbirth Trust) – Support for new parents including postnatal courses
Find baby and toddler classes near you via Happity
This Dad Can offers courses and groups to connect Dads across the UK and locally
DadPad is the essential guide for new dads, developed with the NHS
Exercise and activity
Local
African Dance and Salsa – Carlisle classes with Joy
Buggy Fit – Classes outdoors in Cockermouth, Workington, Keswick and Penrith. /
Clubbercise and more from Aleasha – Carlisle area
FeminFit Cumbria - kids welcome at this women’s fitness class in north Cumbria
House of Holistics – Carlisle yoga and fitness online programmes
Ican gym/fitness centre – Carlisle-based women’s gym
One Fit Mama – Mum and Baby fitness, antenatal classes in north Cumbria and Hexham -
Outdoor postnatal fitness in Whinlatter
The Hiking Household - free pram friendly walks in Carlisle area with Laura, a mum of 4, plus lots of info about child friendly walking routes across Cumbria.
Yoga Studio Carlisle - face-to-face and online options
National
Active 10 – app for apple and android – for walking with a structure
Fiton – Really good app with lots of free workouts, as recommended by one of our service users!
Little people
Sing and sign online classes locally - https://www.facebook.com/singandsigncarlisle/
House of Holistics Carlisle – will be offering online baby yoga and massage and toddler yoga
https://www.facebook.com/houseofholistics/
ARTventurers Carlisle, Penrith, Keswick Community Group – online activities
https://www.facebook.com/groups/233363894380392/
Pyjama Drama – online local activities for toddlers and younger kids - https://www.facebook.com/PyjamaDramaNorthCumbria/
CBeebies – Loads of free games and activities for all ages – there’s a radio station too!
https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/games
Story time – online books and activities for free
https://www.booktrust.org.uk/books-and-reading/have-some-fun/storybooks-and-games/
113 activities for kids when self-isolating
https://www.northshoremums.com.au/fun-home-activities-with-kids
Homemade edible paint – for younger kids
https://www.learning4kids.net/2014/10/07/homemade-edible-finger-paint/
Phonics Play – offering free access to their resources during school closures – lots of games and language activities
https://new.phonicsplay.co.uk/
30 day Lego Challenge – downloadable calendar for the building enthusiasts
https://www.freehomeschooldeals.com/free-printable-31-day-lego-challenge-instant-download/
Scholastic – a really good structured learning programme for all ages
https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome/grades-prek-k.html
What’s On 4 Kids – set the filter to digital resources and get online stuff to do
Tumble Tots online – climbing and agility stuff for toddlers
https://www.youtube.com/user/TumbleTotsUK
Ready Steady Mum – Watchtree group with lots of ideas for mums and kids
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1868026890100108/
Other great organisations
Black Mothers Matter – national organisation for black mothers
Five X More – National campaign aimed at reducing inequalities around childbirth for black women
People First – Cumbrian advocacy, forum and counselling charity for mental health and learning disabilities
Carlisle Key – Charity supporting young people at risk of homelessness
Anti-Racist Cumbria – Local campaigning and education group
Disabled Parent -National resources for disabled parents
LGBT+ parenting – Information and resources for LGBT+ parents
Safety Net- a free service supporting the recovery of those affected by rape, exploitation and abuse in Cumbria