Cumbria Family Support

26/08/2026

This year has flown by and we would love for you to join us at our Annual General Meeting to hear all about what we've been up to👇👇

17/08/2026

Are you self-motivated, non-judgmental, and able to build trust with others? 👍 Do you want a job where you make a difference? 👍 Then we want to hear from you! 😀

05/08/2026

It was thanks to a poster on a village noticeboard (they really work!), that our Community Chaplain, Lois, first found out about Cumbria Family Support and got in touch with Volunteer Coordinator, Anna Cooke, to find out more.

Last week they finally found time for a coffee at Rheged and a long chat about the work that they do and the ways in which we might be able to support them.

Anna looks after about 40 volunteers across Carlisle & Eden and Allerdale in the main, who go in to homes to help families who are struggling in any way. In Allerdale, they focus on families, referred to them by schools or statutory services, with children aged 0-5, aiming to offer the kind of early years support that SureStart used to offer.

Part of Anna's role is to match the skills that a volunteer brings to the needs of particular families – whether it's looking after toddlers or helping mum remodel the outdoor space for easier outdoor play together - so sometimes a match comes right away and sometimes it takes a while. But when it comes, the work is so rewarding, and the volunteers so well supported (with supervision, regular peer catchups and so on) that they tend to stay with CFS for a long time.

All the same, Cumbria Family Support, based in Penrith, is always looking for new referrals AND new volunteers. Anna would appreciate our help with:

👉 VOLUNTEERS who feel able to support families 1:1 in the family home OR at one of our playgroups - currently these are in Flimby and Northside Workington but there are hopes to set these up in Broughton Moor and Harriston too. Volunteers don't need specific qualifications but do need to have some lived experience with young children and be good non-judgemental listeners. The time commitment is usually 1-2 hours a week.

👉 RAISING AWARENESS of our services for families in the local community and also potential referrers (eg local schools). We are looking for families with at least one child of 0-6 years old who might benefit from support from a volunteer with a range of things including - setting boundaries and routines, a healthy lifestyle, promoting positive play and interaction, reducing social isolation, improving mental health.

If you're interested in volunteering, or have ideas for organisations who could support Anna in her work, just drop her an email on [email protected].

THANK YOU 🥰

04/08/2026

30/07/2026

Did you know we have a free Counselling service?
We have availability right now in the Eden area.
See our website for more details https://www.cumbriafamilysupport.org.uk/support-services/

This service is possible thanks to the incredible support of Focus Foundation

16/07/2026

Yoga in the Park offers an opportunity for people of all abilities to enjoy gentle movement, spend time outdoors, and support their physical and mental wellbeing in a welcoming and inclusive environment!

13/07/2026

13/07/2026

On Thursday evening, our CEO Lynsey, Volunteer Coordinator Anna and four of our amazing volunteers, Ann, Lynda, Sue and Mags, attended a garden party hosted by the Lord Lieutenant. The party was held to recognise the Charities that have been nominated for this year’s Kings Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS). 👑

The Kings Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award given to volunteer groups in the UK, recognising outstanding contributions to community service and we are delighted to share with you that Cumbria Family Support are one of those nominated Charities! 🎉

We are so pleased that our team of 40+ volunteers have been recognised for the fantastic support and work they do with families in Cumbria and we cannot thank them enough.

Watch this space for the outcome……….🤞🤞🤞

06/07/2026

Whopping great bit of good news this Monday!
We have been awarded a BBC Children in Need grant of £107k
😱😱😱🥳🥳🥳

Every single penny of this funding will support families right here in Cumbria.
If you'd like to know more about how you can support families visit https://www.cumbriafamilysupport.org.uk/get-involved/

20/06/2026

An essay by HRH The Princess of Wales:

"Early experiences of care, connection and play create the conditions for love to flourish"

An essay by Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales