The impact of untreated mental health conditions during pregnancy and post childbirth can be devastating. Psychological wellbeing is important for everyone during pregnancy, irrespective of the outcome of the pregnancy. We must all come together to ensure that the mothers (fathers and their families) with perinatal mental health conditions are appropriately supported with dignity and respect. No one should suffer in silence due to the fear of stigma and shame in this modern era of scientific advancement and human knowledge. Join Dr Raja Gangopadhyay - Consultant Obstetrician, Dr Diane Speier - Birth, Growth and Healing, Mr Ajith Wijesirivardana -Consultant and Clinical Director of Obstetrics & Gynaecology NCUH NHS Cumbria, Dr Veena Rao - Community Gynaecological Services, Sussane Remic www.ghostwritermummy.co.uk, Gemma Cairns - Happy Mums Foundation, Gareth Presch, Founder World Health Innovation Summit, and Dr Suresh Rao - Chair MSC NCUH for a relaxed afternoon with tea and sandwiches provided, from 1-4pm.

Find out more and register here.

Are you a family business, local shop, online business, wholesaler, business service or small manufacturer? Small Business Saturday is supporting you! Small Business Saturday is a grassroots campaign that highlights small business success and encourages customers to support small businesses in their communities. The day itself takes place on the first Saturday in December each year and the campaign aims to have a lasting impact on small businesses. In 2016 Small Business Saturday will take place on Saturday 3rd December.

You can get involved by hanging the poster and window sticker in a prominent place to show your support for Small Business Saturday and attract customers through your door. Posters are available from Carlisle City Council to collect or can be sent out to you. Please email [email protected].

Alternatively you can download a digital version of the poster to use on your website and social media. Find out more information here.

The Small Business Saturday Bus Tour will visit Carlisle on Monday 31st October between 10am and 2pm near the Crown & Mitre Hotel. The bus will be hosting workshops and activities and and will offer businesses the opportunity to network with eachother. Please click here for more info. 

The Bright Ideas Community Business Fund is now open for applications. The new programme will help groups get their bright ideas for a community business up and running through tailored support and grants of up to £20,000. 

It is a £1.85 million, two-year programme, open to community groups, associations and organisations across England which have a good idea for a community business but need help developing it, or which are just starting  out. Jointly funded by Power to Change and the Department for Communities and Local Government.

The first round of applications will be accepted until the end of November and there will be additional funding rounds in February and September 2017 and February 2018.

Find out more and apply here.

Come along to Morton Community Centre on Thursday 29 September and speak directly to funders; access essential funding information, advice and support; network with other local organisations. Funders include the Arts Council, Cumbria Community Foundation, Hadfield Trust, Charity Bank, Heritage Lottery Fund, the Big Lottery Fund, Lloyds Bank Foundation, Cumbria County Council, and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.

This event is aimed at all local voluntary organisations and community groups in the Carlisle area but especially those new to the funding arena.

For more information and to book a place click here