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 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.

With almost £3.4m already committed time is running out to apply for grant funding through the Cumbria Growth Fund. Manufacturing businesses (including artisan producers) or those providing services to manufacturing of any size throughout Cumbria are eligible to apply for funding of between £10,000 and £1m, as are inward investors. (Unfortunately start-up businesses are not eligible).

If you’re a small or medium sized enterprise (up to 250 full time equivalent employees) a Growth Hub adviser is available free of charge to help with an Expression of Interest and any subsequent application, and to help you access any other relevant support available to you. Contact [email protected] or call 0844 257 8450 to arrange. If you’re a larger business please contact [email protected] for more information.

Cumbria Growth Fund is a Regional Growth Fund programme funded by the Department for Business Energy & Industrial Strategy. The Cumbria Growth Fund is delivered by Cumbria Chamber of Commerce in partnership with CN Media and UNW LLP.

Defra has launched a new grant scheme to champion food tourism which is open to applications until 26 September 2016. The grant scheme forms part of the Defra's Great British Food Campaign, which aims to celebrate our world class food industry and culture, drive growth and jobs in the sector and enhance Britian's reputation as a great food nation. Grants are available from between £5,000 and £25,000. Projects will be expected to start at the end of October 2016 and be completed by the end of March 2017. For more information and to apply, click here.