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Friday 13 March 2026

In this week's edition:

• TOP STORY: Tell us what you’d like the future of care to look like
• This week's headlines:
• In other news...
• The latest job vacancies from Westmorland and Furness Council

TOP STORY: Tell us what you’d like the future of care to look like

Westmorland and Furness Council has launched a Community Conversation on the future of care for older residents.

‘A Place Called Home: Your living choices in later life’ invites you to tell us your hopes for living well in the future as you get older and may need more support. Your views will help inform the future direction of all aspects of our Adult Social Care support for older people’s independence and wellbeing.

Take our online survey for residents to tell us your views.

Or, if you are involved in supporting older people in Westmorland and Furness, complete our survey for organisations.

We will also be out and about until 30 March speaking to older residents in community groups.

Cllr Patricia Bell, Cabinet member for Adults, Health and Care, said: “We want to hear what is most important to you as you get older and what being independent means to you. If you can no longer live safely at home then the only option doesn’t have to be moving to a residential care home.”

This week's headlines:

Key decisions to be made on Barrow town centre transformation

Councillors will meet next week to determine the next steps in a multi-million pound programme to transform Barrow town centre.

Stakeholders ‘break ground’ on extension works at Beaconside CofE Primary School

Key stakeholders came together recently to celebrate the start of works on a major expansion project at at Beaconside Church of England Primary School in Penrith.

Essential maintenance to be carried out on Kendal footbridge

Dockray footbridge in Kendal is set to be closed between certain times over seven working days for essential maintenance.

Work due to restart on Grange Lido project

Work is set to restart on the latter phases of the Grange Lido project, with a planned finish around the end of the summer.

Deadline approaches for applications to correct common land and village green registrations

Landowners are being reminded that the statutory window to correct mistaken registrations of common land and village greens will close in just over a year’s time.

Penrith South by-election result declared

Liberal Democrat Barbara Jayson is the newly elected Westmorland and Furness Council Member for Penrith South.

The 14-metre long beams had to be brought on to site by heli-lift.

Three bridges replaced on popular route thanks to countryside access team

Access has been restored to a popular countryside walk in one of the most beautiful parts of Westmorland and Furness.

In other news...

Do you know someone looking for an apprenticeship?

We have a wide range of exciting opportunities in adult social care, accountancy, business administration, vehicle maintenance, project management, highways and civil engineering.

Find out more at: careers.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/apprenticeships

• Applications close: 22 March
• Start date: September 2026

Helping child victims of domestic abuse to rebuild their lives

“I am beyond grateful that she has been part of our journey and helping my children get themselves back” – the words of a mother in Domestic Abuse Supported Accommodation in Westmorland and Furness, talking about the groundbreaking work to help child victims of domestic abuse.

Any child who sees, hears, or experiences the effects of domestic abuse and is related to the victim or the suspect is regarded as a victim and is entitled to support. Specialist support worker Clare Stratford works with children from the age of 3 to 18 – using child-led therapies to help these “forgotten victims”.

Safer Sleep Week – keep it simple, keep it safe

This Safer Sleep Week, we’re supporting The Lullaby Trust to help raise awareness of simple steps that keep babies safer during sleep.

Placing your baby on their back, on a firm, flat and clear sleep surface, is one of the easiest ways to reduce risk. Keeping their sleep space free from pillows, soft toys and loose bedding also helps protect them. It’s important to avoid falling asleep with your baby on a sofa or armchair.

Some families choose to bedshare. If this is something you do, there are ways to make it safer – such as keeping baby on a firm, flat area and avoiding soft bedding.

The Lullaby Trust offers supportive resources, including Lullaby Trust Safer Sleep Guide for Parents and a helpful Safer Sleep: Product Guide, which many families find reassuring and easy to follow.

Please speak to a health visitor if you have any questions or concerns.

Ready to quit smoking for good?

Westmorland and Furness residents are able to access a fantastic opportunity to stop smoking quickly, comfortably, and confidently with Allen Carr’s Easyway method.

• Tomorrow (Saturday 14 March)
• 10am - 4pm
• Holiday Inn Express, Market Street Barrow-in-Furness, LA14 2LR

This in‑person group seminar is designed to help you break free from smoking without scare tactics - so quitting feels easier than you ever imagined.

Book your free space at the seminar

Find out more details on available local support on our website.

The latest job vacancies from Westmorland and Furness Council

Join us! There are currently 79 job opportunities available to apply for now.

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