The need for mental health support for people in West Cumbria is greater than ever. The West Cumbria: Opportunities and Challenges 2025 report, produced earlier this year by the Community Foundation, shone a light on some grim statistics.

Between 2019 and 2022 there was an almost 100% increase in NHS referrals for children and young people’s mental health services.

The suicide rate is the second highest in England, and hospital admissions for mental health conditions and self-harm are far higher than the national average.

The Covid-19 pandemic and cost of living crisis have had a heavy toll, especially on those already struggling to cope.

Mental health services delivered in partnership

The West Cumbria Mental Health Partnership (WCMHP) was established in 2021, as part of Transforming West Cumbria, a strand of Sellafield Ltd’s Social impact multiplied (SiX) programme, delivered by the Community Foundation (CCF).  It is a collaboration between diverse organisations working together to address mental health and wellbeing needs, fill gaps in provision, and offer accessible, community-based, low-level mental health support. The partnership also promotes other available services, working to improve signposting and handovers between providers.

Groundwork North East & Cumbria manages the overall programme and coordinates mental health service delivery for both young people and adults in West Cumbria. Together We CIC leads the Recovery College which provides courses and workshops to improve wellbeing and aid recovery.

Partners funded to deliver services and enhance provision include: Always Another Way, Citizens Advice Allerdale, Citizens Advice Copeland, Cumbria Youth Alliance, Mind in Furness, Together We and the Windmill Trust.

West Cumbria Mental Health match funding challenge

The vital services provided by the WCMHP are non-statutory and rely on local fundraising to be delivered.

Businesses across West Cumbria now have the chance to show they are taking the mental health crisis seriously and really make a difference to local people who need support.

Cumbria Community Foundation and Sellafield Ltd are running a match funding challenge, giving businesses, community groups and individuals the opportunity to help fund this vital, community-based mental health support for local people.

Find out how you can take part.

How WCMHP provides vital support

To find out more about the services provided, visit the West Cumbria Mental Health Partnership website at https://wcmhp.org.uk/.

Here are some of the organisations offering vital support as part of the West Cumbria Mental Health Partnership:

• Cumbria Youth Alliance supports 15- to 24-year-olds, focussing on physical and mental health and wellbeing. Meet Claire, an employability link worker, Gary a youth ambition lead and Claire, a care and leaving care project manager, who talk about the vital work the alliance delivers.

• Meet Andrea and Lyn from Always Another Way and Janine from Together We, who explain how they support people in our local communities.

• Seb, a WOW motivator from iCan Fitness, and Kelvyn from Wellness Walks, explain the mental health and wellness benefits of their projects.

• Meet Mike from Healthy Hopes Cumbria and Shelley from Citizens Advice Copeland who talk about the collaborative approach to community mental health provision across West Cumbria.