Friday [October 10] is World Mental Health Day and this year’s theme set by the World Federation for Mental Health is ‘access to services – mental health in catastrophes and emergencies’.
But while there are services in Cumbria for when disaster strikes, there are others that are run to lift the spirits so we’re more resilient. And knowing they’re just a bus ride away could be the first step to making a positive change.
So to mark the annual event, here’s a sample of the help on offer across Cumbria, some for times of crisis, others for helping make sure you never hit rock bottom. And all can be reached by a Stagecoach bus for the price of a single £3 ticket.
North Cumbria
Houghton Men’s Shed, Houghton Road, Carlisle, CA3 0LD
Bus service – 64 / 179
Bus stop – Houghton, Stores
The men’s shed movement began in Australia in the 1980s as a way to tackle social isolation. And because Aussie blokes need something to do, the focus was on power tools and practical projects rather than cake and a cuppa. Houghton Men’s Shed is one of around a dozen such sheds across Cumbria where men meet to make, repair and repurpose, supporting projects in their communities. Men’s Sheds UK’s own research claims 89 percent of regular ‘shedders’ reduce feelings of depression by going.
Houghton Men’s Shed is based at the Cumbria Wildlife Trust at Gosling Sike – to get involved contact Adam or Gemma on 01228 829573 or email adamm@cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk
Pride in North Cumbria, LGBT+ Youth, 21 Victoria Place, Carlisle, CA1 1EJ
Bus service – Multiple services into Carlisle
Bus stop – Lowther Street or Carlisle Bus Station
Feelings of social isolation can be crushing for young people – especially those who feel different from their peers. Pride in North Cumbria is run by youth workers for non-hetrosexual young people aged from 13 to 25, and much of its work happens at its 21 Victoria Place HQ and the Sticky Bits cafe. Through the week you’ll find coffee and cake sessions, a cooking group, games cafe and an art club.
Click here to find out more
CADAS (Cumbria Addictions Advice and Solutions), 3-5 Victoria Place, Carlisle, CA1 1EJ
Bus service – Multiple services into Carlisle
Bus stop – Lowther Street or Carlisle Bus Station
CADAS is an addiction recovery and support charity for addicts and their loved ones. It runs various services, including a telephone helpline, but a good way to find out more is to visit one of its drop-in sessions, which are held each Wednesday from 10.30am to midday. Once there, you can talk discreetly to a CADAS coach and find out what support might suit you – there are services for both adults and under-18s. CADAS also has offices in Barrow-in-Furness, Kendal and Workington.
Find out more here
Carlisle Eden Mind, 1 Victoria Place, Carlisle, CA1 1EJ
Bus service – Multiple services into Carlisle
Bus stop – Lowther Street or Carlisle Bus Station
When many of us think of mental health, we think of the national charity Mind. Befitting its size and influence, the organisation runs crisis support sessions – called The Lighthouse – at its Carlisle office every evening from 5pm to 11pm. Appointments are made in advance by calling 0300 561000. Once there, you can talk one-to-one in a non-judgmental space. Carlisle Eden Mind says: “Support can make a huge difference in managing a mental health crisis, reminding you that you’re not alone.”
For details click here
CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service), Fairfield Centre, Carleton Clinic, Cumwhinton Drive, Carlisle, CA1 3SX
Bus service – 104
Bus stop – Garlands, Coppice
No guide to mental health services is complete without reference to CAMHS, which is the name given to NHS child mental health support units across the country. They provide assessment, diagnosis and intervention for a range of mental health issues affecting children and young people. Families and children are referred by professionals, such as a GP, so you can’t just walk in. But knowing where the unit is could be the first step to getting help. Open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Phone 01228 603017 or click here for details.
West Cumbria
Citizens Advice Whitehaven, 3-5 Jacktrees Road, Cleator Moor, CA25 5BD
Bus service – 30 towards Frizington
Bus stop – The Square, High Street
Is there a bigger name in practical advice than Citizens Advice? The charity is known for providing expertise on debt problems, benefits, household bills, housing issues, rights at work, consumer issues, immigration and relationship breakdown. And while none of these directly fit the mental health pigeonhole, they are often the triggers that cause a breakdown. The office is open 9am to 5pm on weekdays, except Fridays when it closes at 4.30pm.
To book an appointment call 01946 693321, or get more details here
Age UK, Carnegie Theatre & Arts Centre, Finkle Street, Workington, CA14 2BD
Bus service – Multiple services into Workington
Bus Stop – Workington Bus Station
Age UK is a champion of ‘active ageing’, which means taking part in activities and hobbies, contributing to community life, and meeting and making friends. The North Cumbria branch of the national charity runs activities across the county – but a great place to start is its monthly Carnegie Connections sessions at Workington’s Carnegie Theatre & Arts Centre. You can try crafts, find information about local services, receive wellbeing tips and meet like-minded people. The next session is on Tuesday, 28 October, from 10.30am to 1pm.
Find out more here
Vulture Club, Tangier Buildings, George Street, Whitehaven, CA28 7EY
Bus service – multiple services into Whitehaven
Bus stop – Bransty Row (Wetherspoons)
“It’s very hard to stop taking substances, it’s even harder to stay off them,” says the Vulture Club website. So the group diverts people in their recovery with arts and cultural activities. And the club isn’t just for recovering substance users – it has helped people who are socially isolated or suffering emotional trauma, anxiety and low moods. Members take part in theatre and cinema trips, walking groups and art events. To arrange an appointment for a chat and assessment, call 01946 748687 or click here
Growing Well, Beck Green Nurseries, Cross Side, Egremont, CA22 2AP
Bus service – 30 to Thornhill
Bus stop – Bluebell Hotel
Getting out in nature is a tried and tested way of lifting low mood. So, the Growing Well project has built a service on it, providing one-to-one support as their clients enjoy learning heritage food growing skills. Many people are referred to Growing Well by their GP, but you can refer yourself, or someone else, by using the details listed here.
The project at Beck Green Nurseries opened a year ago, building on the success of Growing Well’s other sites in Kendal and Tebay. People typically spend six months to a year with the group, before being supported in their next steps.
Cumbria Safe Haven, 19 Oxford Street, Workington, CA14 2AL
Bus service – multiple services into Workington
Bus stop – Workington bus station
Safe Haven is a mental health service that provides both one-to-one appointments and community drop-in sessions for adults. Its counsellors work to help people understand mental health conditions, train them to develop coping strategies, and signpost people to other services. Open seven days a week, you can call 03300 083911 or use the details listed here to get in touch. The service is part of Waythrough, which provides free, confidential support for mental health, alcohol, drugs and housing issues.
South Cumbria
Mind in Furness, William Bingley Centre, 64 School Street, Barrow-in-Furness, LA14 1EW
Bus service – multiple services into Barrow-in-Furness centre
Bus stop – Barrow-in-Furness Town Hall
Peer support is a recognised way of improving mental health and Mind runs sessions each weekday. Members know that if they are having a tough time they can visit and there will be someone to talk to, including qualified staff if needed. Mind in Furness runs activities across the district, including conservation sessions, a craft group, men’s group, women’s group and a kitchen garden project at the Green Heart Den in Greengate Street.
To find out more click here or phone 01229 827094
The Grange Shed, Yewbarrow Terrace, Grange over Sands, LA11 6ED
Bus service – X6, 530
Bus stop – Grange railway station
The Grange Shed is panelled in wood but that’s where similarities with a shed end. There’s a toilet, kitchen for making cuppas and workspace for mechanical repairs, woodworking and electrical tinkering – with a focus on doing work that benefits the community. Of course, the benefit for those who go there is the opportunity to turn what are typically solitary pursuits into something collaborative and fun.
Contact thegrangeshed@gmail.com or Steve Jolly at 58jols@gmail.com
Parenting Support Group, Outside-In play centre, Beezon Road, Kendal, LA9 6EL
Bus service – multiple services into Kendal Bus Station
Bus stop – Blackhall Road or Kendal Bus Station
Ask any parent and they’ll probably tell you – being a mum or dad to little ones is a roller-coaster of mental ups and downs. So each Friday, from 9am to 10.30am, you can meet other parents for a chat while the children run around at the charity-run play centre. The sessions are funded by Westmorland & Furness Council so entry is free, and free parenting support is on offer from parent coach Verity Evans.
For details click here
Dalton Older Adults Day Care, Chapel Street, Dalton-in-Furness, LA15 8DA
Bus service – X6, 6
Bus Stop – Dalton Town Hall or Bank Corner
or
Kendal Day Centre, Dowkers Lane, Kendal, LA9 6JP
Bus service – 43, 43A
Bus stop – Kentdale Brow
Social isolation is all too common for older people after retirement, and perhaps the loss of friends or a partner. But the depression that can result should not be considered just part of life. Both the Dalton and Kendal day centres are run by Westmorland & Furness Council with activities and support tailor-made for older people. As well as providing a forum for socialising, visitors can get help with practical problems such as bathing or hairdressing.
For details, click here
Alcoholics Anonymous, Abbey Road Baptist Church, Carlton Avenue, Barrow-in-Furness, LA13 9AT
Bus service – X6, 6
Bus stop – Abbey Road Baptist Church
Perhaps the most famous name in tackling problem drinking, Alcoholics Anonymous runs meetings across the county, including at Barrow’s Abbey Road Baptist Church on Wednesdays from 1.30pm to 3pm and Thursdays from 7.30pm to 8.30pm. The AA has two basic types of meeting – open ones where non-alcoholics such as family and friends supporting a loved one can attend, and closed meetings for problem drinkers only. And despite often being run in churches, the organisation is not religious.
To find out more, click here
