Local Achievements
LGA response to Consultation on EU action to reduce health inequalities:
Cumbria County Council has been presented as an example of good practice in the area of health promotion and health inequality. The consultation states that:
“There is some anecdotal evidence that budget cuts, particularly in smaller local authorities, are impacting on discretionary services such as libraries, arts and leisure, which do much good work on wider health promotion and health inequality.”
Well Read Scheme – Cumbria County Council:
Well Read is a collection of books and DVDs on mental health issues, available for people to borrow from 21 of Cumbria County Council’s libraries. The aim of the collections is to encourage people to help themselves to manage their mental health. People are referred to borrow specific titles from the collection by their GP, by a Mental Health Worker or other Health Professional. Some people may “self prescribe” on seeing the titles in the library and finding them to be of relevance to their own situation. Well Read is being extended to include a ‘health and well-being’ self prescription scheme. This is being planned for April 2009 subject to assistance with funding from NHS Cumbria. The new scheme will directly contribute to the tackling of health inequalities across the county. The main aim of this project is to build up Health Resources for the whole community, allowing people to access the most up to date health information possible, in a format which suits them.”
Derwent Oak Festival:
This week sees the opening of Grampus’ very own Derwent Oak Festival! From Thursday until Saturday it is based at the Derwent Hill OEC (Portinscale), just by the footbridge over the Derwent River. A fantastic line-up of activities and demonstrations on offer, from mask making, charcoal burning and twig pencil making right through to oak carving and a fashion show created and performed by young Romanians and Cumbrians. PLUS ITS ALL FREE!!
It will be a great chance to meet and speak with various different artists and craftsmen, plus free oak saplings for your garden will be given away. Bring some friends and family, there’s plenty for young children to do (‘Storytree’ from Keswick’s Theatre by the Lake- community based storytelling initiative), so you can pop in for 10 minutes or half a day. It would be great to see you there, each day we’re open from 10.00-16.00 and the fashion shows starts at 13.00.
More information: enquiries@grampusheritage.co.uk