When: Every Tuesday

Time: 12.30—2.00

Would you like to try something new?

Would you like to keep yourself fit and active in a friendly environment?

Would you like to go to the gym with people you know?

Some People First members go to the gym at the Sands Centre in Carlisle,

every Tuesday from 12.30 – 2.00.

We would really like you to join us.

A fitness instructor will support you to do

exercises that are right for you.

He will show you how to use the gym equipment and create a health plan just for you.

Meet us at the Sands Centre at 12.30.

Don’t forget to bring your gym kit,

a bottle of water,

and £2.00 to get in.

Are you wanting to get back in shape and lose that extra weight???

Then sign up for the People First Health Project!!!

We can provide advice, support on healthy eating and exercise…

We can help you to take them first steps to make a healthier choice…

We can support you to get back in shape and feel healthy again…

We can give you encouragement to help you to achieve your goals…

Our Health Trainers will help you set realistic targets and set out a plan to help you achieve those targets!!!

If your interested, speak to Kevin in the Workington Office on 01900 607208, or Sophie in the Carlisle office on 01228 550696.

Over 50 people descended on County Hall in Kendal to lobby councillors as they went in to their council meeting this morning.

With colourful banners and placards and some very loud voices we expressed our disbelief at what the council are going to do.

Advocacy providers such as People First and Mind have works tirelessly over the last 20 years to give vulnerable Cumbrian’s a voice! Now it is likely that a larger national or regional organisation will win the new generic contract for advocacy.

The new contract means that people will get less advocacy support provided by advocates who may not have the specialist skills, knowledge or experience of the difficulties faced by that individual.

It may also mean that we can not support our many groups in the same way that we always have done.

We have had and continue to have a good partnership with Cumbria County Council and we understand and support the fact that they have to make cuts and save money in every possible way, however they have pledged to support the most vulnerable in our communities which this move clearly does not do!

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Following on from her health planning session with Sophie one of our Health Trainers, Liz has identified lots of changes she would like to make so that she can live her Best Life!

Liz wanted to go horse riding to keep her fit and healthy.

On a very windy day in she went to Bousted Hill riding centre near Carlisle.

Liz rode a brown horse with a white face called Alfie.

First, Liz learned how to hold Alfie’s reigns.

Liz sets off for her lesson on Alfie with some teachers at the riding centre. She rode for half an hour and learned a lot about horse riding.

We met a lot of horses at the riding stables.

Liz really enjoyed her time at the riding stables and is going back next week.

When she has learned more about riding horses she is planning to join a riding class where she will meet lots of people.

Over 80 People First members and staff partied the night away at what was a truly amazing night.

On arrival we all had Cosmopolitans to drink followed by a great 4 course meal.

We were greeted by the stilt walking ‘Swing Sisters’ who later in the evening took to the skies in an aerial display on silk ribbons. They must have been 50 foot high!

Later in the evening we watched and danced to a great stage show with dancers and singers.

A wonderful and late night!…

Join us next year for a Visit to Narnia

At a time when Cumbria County Council is undertaking an unprecedented
upheaval of its social care system, services such as advocacy are crucial.

Advocacy helps to ensure that the rights and choices of some of the most vulnerable people using Council services are protected.

At a time of large scale changes to social care provision, and of social care providers, Advocacy can ensure that people do not fall through gaps.

We object to

• 50% cuts to Advocacy services, which protect the rightsand choices of some of the most vulnerable people in ourcare system.

• Advocacy funding cuts that are being pushed through at
  a time of unprecedented upheaval and change in
  Cumbria’s social care system.

• Tendering advocacy services in a way which prejudices
  strongly against smaller local providers and discounts the
  significant added value that local providers bring.

• Using the advocacy review and subsequent tender process
  to transfer liabilities for council staff redundancy
  onto 3rd sector providers.

Protect Cumbria’s Advocacy Info

The building is in the centre of Carlisle on Botchergate, its got a large lounge area, a big conference room and a small meeting room.

The Conference Room can seat around 30 people and has a Smart Board and projector and is flooded with natural light

The Small Meeting Room has a table and 4 chairs as well as 4 lounge chairs, its perfect for  small meetings or counselling sessions.

The 1st and 2nd floors have offices spaces for People First staff and for orther organisations like Shaw Trust.

We have a spare office if any organisation wants it and we can also offer a hot desking facility.

Please feel free to call in and have a look around. There are plenty of car parks close by and even a free car  park on Lord Street just of Lancaster Street.

The day went really well with over 70 people attending including members old and new, professionals and organisations that have supported the development of the Best life Building.

Eddie gave a wonderful speech talking about the great work that People First are doing to bring voluntary organisations together under one roof, cutting costs and sharing resources.

The day was also the launch of the Health Project, a 4 year project funded by the Big Lottery.

The project aims to help people who have learning difficulties in Cumbria to have a healthier life.

The Best Life Building in Carlisle already hosts Shaw Trust and has a vacancy for one more organisation.

The Best Life building in Workington hosts, Shaw Trust, West House, Croftlands Trust, Turning Point, Addaction, with room for several more organisations.

Have a look at the gallery below with pictures from our Open Day.

I currently live  in Whitehaven and I am moving to Workington.

This will be better for me as I work for People First in Workington.

My Fiancee also lives there as does my step Dad who owns a Laundrette

In Workington I play pool for the Miners Arms Pub and have a very good soical life..

What is Flu?

Flu is a virus that makes us feel ill

It affects our lungs and airways.

The virus is seasonal, which means it comes around in the winter.

It is spread through coughs and sneezes.

Flu-Jabs

A Flu-Jab is an injection that protects us against catching theflu.

It is usually offered to people who are most at risk from catching the flu.

Groups of people most at risk from catching the flu.

These groups are:

• Anyone who is over 65;

• Anyone who is pregnant;

• Anyone who is living in a long-stay residential care home;

• Anyone with a serious illness or condition such as:

• Asthma

• Heart Disease

• Diabetes

Getting a flu-jab

If you think you need a flu jab, then you need to make an appointment at your doctor’s surgery.

You should try and have the flu-jab between the end of September and the beginning of November.

If you leave it later than this, you are more likely to catch the virus.

The Flu-Jab is a small injection that goes into the top of your arm. Sometimes, it can leave your arm sore for a few days.

If you are worried, speak to your doctor

The fluid in the injections is made from hen’s eggs. Sometimes people can be allergic to eggs, so can’t have the injection.

This does not happen very often.

If you have any questions, just speak to your doctor.