Monday 2 November, 9am until 4pm – The Catalyst, Newcastle Helix. Join leading researchers, policymakers, practitioners and experts-by-experience from across the region for a powerful one-day conference exploring some of the most pressing challenges facing women, families and marginalised communities. This unique practice improvement event will bring together national speakers with regional leaders in research, public health, social care and community organisations to examine how stigma, trauma and disadvantage shape people’s lives – and what we can do differently to improve outcomes. This event is jointly hosted by: Fuse, the Centre for Translational Research in Public Health; NIHR School for Public Health Research; Office for Health Improvement and Disparities; Newcastle […]
Social Prescribing Link Workers across the North East and North Cumbria are being invited to take part in a new free skills development programme this autumn. Delivered by Teesside Mind in partnership with VONNE, the programme offers two practical training workshops designed to support continued professional development and strengthen person-centred practice in social prescribing. The training is provided through VONNE’s Healthy Communities and Social Prescribing Programme, funded by the North East and North Cumbria ICB’s Healthier and Fairer Programme. Workshop one: Goal setting How can I support people to identify goals that genuinely matter to them? What makes a goal realistic, meaningful and achievable? How do I maintain momentum when […]
Healthcare professionals from across the North East and North Cumbria are invited to attend a free Inherited Cardiac Conditions (ICC) Lunch and Learn event on Tuesday 29 September, coinciding with World Heart Day. Hosted by Poppy’s Light Foundation at Ramside Hall, Durham, the afternoon will bring together colleagues with an interest in inherited cardiac conditions to learn, share experiences and network with others working in this area. The event will provide an introduction to inherited cardiac conditions (ICCs), including cardiomyopathies, channelopathies and aortopathies, and will explore how these conditions affect patients and families across the region. Attendees will also hear about the charity’s plans to support healthcare professionals, patients and […]
Across North East and North Cumbria, there is growing recognition that food waste and food insecurity are closely linked challenges that require coordinated, system-wide approaches. Recent research and improvement work across the region highlights how combining insight with practical action can help address both. Understanding the role of social supermarkets Research supported by the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) North East and North Cumbria shows how social supermarkets are helping communities access affordable food while reducing surplus food waste. These models provide a more dignified, choice-based alternative to emergency food aid, enabling people to select their own food while reducing stigma. However, the research also highlights an important limitation: […]
Leaving Intensive Care (ICU) is a significant milestone, but for many patients, recovery is far from straightforward. The transition from ICU to the ward, and then back home, is often described as the most challenging part of the journey. Many people experience a range of physical and emotional challenges during this time, including feeling “dropped” after leaving ICU, struggling to understand what happened during their stay, and a loss of confidence and independence. Emotional distress and ongoing fatigue are also common. Research from ICUsteps highlights that survivors can feel abandoned after discharge and often struggle to access coordinated support in the community. This free online forum, hosted by VONNE (Voluntary […]
A new report is highlighting the vital role of charities and community groups in supporting people across North Cumbria – and warning that this support is at risk without more sustainable, long-term funding. Passion, connection and community: person-centred neighbourhood health in North Cumbria showcases how health and wellbeing coaches and social prescribing link workers help people facing challenges such as mental ill-health, bereavement, homelessness and isolation. By taking a whole-person approach, they connect individuals with local support and activities delivered by voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) organisations. The report brings to life real stories from across the community, demonstrating the importance of human connection and the impact of […]
A powerful new resource has been developed to support people with learning disabilities across North Cumbria to have more open, informed conversations about death, dying and bereavement. Created through strong partnership working, the Death, Dying and Bereavement Resource Pack brings together easy‑read materials and practical activities designed to support individuals, families and professionals when navigating some of life’s most challenging moments. The pack aims to enable compassionate, accessible and person‑centred conversations, ensuring that people with learning disabilities are better supported to understand and express their wishes, feelings and experiences. A collaborative, co‑produced approach The resource has been co‑produced with more than 25 partners and led by Eden Valley Hospice, […]
Following Social Prescribing Day, there has been renewed focus on the role that social prescribing and link working play in supporting person‑centred, community‑based health and wellbeing across North Cumbria. This work continues to be shaped through strong partnership working and a shared commitment to neighbourhood health. We would like to acknowledge and thank everyone who has supported Cumbria CVS and the Health Partnerships Team in recent years to help social prescribing initiatives remain active, visible and impactful across the region. New Social Prescribing resource now available Cumbria CVS has launched a new Social Prescribing Approaches in North Cumbria website, bringing together information and resources to support understanding and collaboration […]
The North East & North Cumbria Research Engagement Network (REN) team is excited to invite you to our third shared learning event, delivered in collaboration with the Northern Youth Research Partnership Project – an NIHR‑funded initiative bringing together young people, youth‑focused VCSE organisations, and researchers to strengthen diverse, young‑person‑led health and social care research. Since 2022, REN has worked to increase diversity and inclusion in children and young people’s (CYP) mental health research, developing a regional CYP mental health research partnership network. This work supports wider system priorities to improve mental health services for children and young people, recognising the essential role of high‑quality, inclusive research in shaping decisions and […]
This year’s Social Prescribing Day is on 26th March – an annual celebration recognising Social Prescribing Link Workers, local community groups and regional and national organisations which support people’s health and wellbeing. To mark the day in the North East and North Cumbria, Voluntary Organisations’ Network North East (VONNE) are hosting a free online conference, 10am – 12pm, commending ‘The Power of People’. The team welcome anyone working across health and care, Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations, public health, local authorities and health research to join them at the event as they celebrate the fantastic work of social prescribing in all its forms across our region. Speakers will […]
