Westmorland and Furness Council

Ready to start a rewarding journey? In partnership with Kendal College, we invite you to join our Step into Children’s Residential Care programme! ✅ 8-week free training ✅ A guaranteed interview for a role upon course completion ✅ January 2025 start date ✅ Must be aged 22 or above ✅ No previous experience or qualifications required If you’re passionate about making a real difference in children’s lives, this is your opportunity to begin a meaningful and fulfilling career. Apply directly to Kendal College, and take the first step towards a brighter future! Find out more: https://lnkd.in/eEGtsqKK

A sleigh-full of children's toys is on its way to families helped by Springfield Domestic Abuse Support this Christmas. Watch the clip on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/ejz7zuNc Thanks to the generosity of colleagues and members across Westmorland and Furness Council this festive season, dozens of toys, games, teddy bears and hand-knitted items have been donated to Springfield, which is the chosen charity of our Chairman, Cllr Matt Severn. Pictured with Cllr Severn are, from left, Case Management Officer Cat Brumwell and Chief Legal and Monitoring Officer Linda Jones, who helped arrange the toy collection; and Kelly and Clare from Springfield. The charity offers free, confidential advice and support to anyone who has experienced or is experiencing domestic abuse in South Lakeland. As well as a refuge and community hub, Springfield offers peer support groups, awareness training and therapeutic recovery programmes. To contact Springfield, call 0808 175 7070 or email help@springfieldsupport.org

Dozens of armed forces veterans came together to celebrate Christmas 2024 and share memories at three events held by Westmorland and Furness Council. The festive gatherings took place in #Barrow #Penrith and #Kendal to show our commitment and gratitude to those who have served our country, past and present. Former service men and women were invited to enjoy mince pies, coffee and tea with the council’s Chairman, Cllr Matt Severn, and Linda Jones, Chief Legal and Monitoring Officer and Armed Forces Lead Officer. Cllr Severn said: “We started with one festive get-together last year and this year wanted to extend the invitation right across the council area. “We had a lovely time. It was an opportunity to wish our veterans “Merry Christmas” and to thank them for their service. They and their families have made such great sacrifices and we can never say thank you enough.” Among the guests at Kendal Town Hall were the council’s Leader, Cllr Jonathan Brook; Cllr Vicky Hughes, Armed Forces Champion for South Lakeland; and the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Kendal, Cllr Jonathan Cornthwaite and Cllr Richard Sutton. Chris Maycock, Chair of the Royal British Legion’s Kendal branch, said: “I just think it’s super that the needs of veterans are being well-recognised by the council and that the council is really committed to helping veterans old and new and in the future.” The retired Lieutenant Colonel said: “At Christmas veterans tend to remember the times they were away. You’ve always got that empathy with people that haven’t managed to get home for Christmas. In a life of service, it just comes with the job, really. If you can get home for Christmas it’s marvellous.” Among those attending our event at Penrith Parish Rooms was Marie Kearney who served 22 years in the Royal Air Force. It’s been really useful to find out what’s going on and to meet with everyone involved in local veterans’ activities and events," Marie said. At Barrow Town Hall, guests included Cllr Bill McEwan, the council’s Armed Forces Champion for Barrow, and the town’s Mayor, Cllr Judith McEwan. Meanwhile, this Saturday (21 December) veterans are invited along to the United Reformed Church Hall in #GrangeOverSands to enjoy bacon sandwiches and coffee, from 2pm to 4pm. The event is being funded from Armed Forces Champion Cllr Vicky Hughes’ Locality budget to bring people of all ages together, including several residents from Grange Cottage Care Home. We are planning to hold events in 2025 to find out from veterans what kind of support they would find helpful from us and our partners. Through the Westmorland and Furness Armed Forces Board, we are working with partners to develop a programme of work to offer support and pathways to veterans and their families. To find out more about our support for armed forces personnel, visit our website or email armedforces@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk

We're making significant progress our latest active travel scheme that will create a dedicated walking, wheeling and cycling route on Walney Island from the Promenade to Earnse Bay! 🚲 On West Shore Road and through ‘the Cut’ in Vickerstown Park... ✅1260 metres of new kerbs have been laid ✅ 3,370 square meters of surfacing completed; the equivalent size of just over 12 tennis courts ✅ Street lighting has also been upgraded with new columns and energy efficient lights Early next year, further works will introduce new benches and even more lighting along the route, a dedicated crossing on Mill Lane, traffic calming measures and a three metre-wide cycle path through the park. The infrastructure will fully separate cyclists from vehicles through enhancing and widening current footpaths. It has been designed for people of all abilities and ages so they can choose to walk, wheel or cycle with ease and ‘actively’ access the growing opportunities at key employment and education sites across Barrow-in-Furness and the planned Earnse Bay Community Hub. The Council’s scheme has been positively welcomed by local residents, like Mr Goodwin of Trent Vale who “looks forward to using the cycle path in the new year” and is “really impressed” with the works. This new cycling and walking route on North Walney is a key step towards creating safer and more accessible transport options for our communities. By repurposing existing spaces and upgrading infrastructure, we are building a network that encourages people to travel actively across the town. It is fantastic to hear the positive feedback from communities who are already noticing the difference this scheme will make, even during construction. We're look forward to seeing works progress and welcoming our communities to try the scheme in Spring 2025 👏

From starting as a Targeted Youth Support Officer to becoming a Child Protection Social Worker, Helen’s story highlights the opportunities, challenges, and rewards of a career with Westmorland and Furness Council. With the support of the Social Work Academy, Helen completed her degree apprenticeship, balancing full-time work and study, and is now thriving in her ASYE year. 👩💼 What she loves: - The variety of work - Helping families create positive change 💪 The challenges: - Balancing tasks and paperwork - Tackling tough cases – but always with a supportive team by her side 📲 Ready to take the next step? Take a look at our website https://lnkd.in/e4fPqJbF or email us at childrenssocialworkacademy@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk

Ready to start a rewarding journey? In partnership with Kendal College, we invite you to join our Step into Children’s Residential Care programme! ✅ 8-week free training ✅ A guaranteed interview for a role upon course completion ✅ January 2025 start date ✅ Must be aged 22 or above ✅ No previous experience or qualifications required If you’re passionate about making a real difference in children’s lives, this is your opportunity to begin a meaningful and fulfilling career. Apply directly to Kendal College, and take the first step towards a brighter future! Find out more: https://lnkd.in/eEGtsqKK

We spoke to Amanda, who recently graduated from our Children’s Social Work Academy, about her experience as a newly qualified social worker at Westmorland and Furness. The three words she describes it as are; - Personal - Supportive - Exciting Are you looking to build a rewarding career in social work like Amanda?  You can start your social work career with us and our Children’s Social Work Academy. We are committed to providing a robust package of support to guide you through the initial stages of your social work career: - Develop your confidence, - Develop your skills and expertise, - Develop your career at a pace that is right for you. Find out more about the Social Work Academy on the website at https://lnkd.in/e4fPqJbF or email us at childrenssocialworkacademy@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk

Today at a meeting of Cabinet, we launched our annual budget consultation. One of our core values is listening to our communities and working with you on the issues that matter most. That’s why we need you to share your views in this year’s budget consultation. Find out more and have your say at: https://lnkd.in/e85DvdZb

If you are a caring and compassionate leader with strong management skills and experience in safeguarding children, then we would love to hear from you. We have an excellent and rare opportunity to join our talented group of Service Managers, for our Support and Protect Teams in Barrow. We are looking for someone caring, compassionate, engaging and innovative, to lead our ‘fabulous four’ teams of children’s social workers and team managers across the Barrow-in-Furness area of Westmorland and Furness. If this sounds like you, find out more on our website today: https://lnkd.in/eJEsjVuC #Safeguarding #ServiceManager #SocialWork #SocialWorkers #ChildrensServices

Looking for a new career opportunity? Join Westmorland and Furness Council’s Children’s Social Work Academy! Here’s why working with us is more than just a job: 🌄 Amazing Location Nestled between the Lake District and Eden Valley, you’ll get to live and work in one of the UK’s most beautiful regions – perfect for nature lovers and adventurers alike! 💼 Supportive Work Environment We’re all about helping our team grow. With workplace learning, career progression opportunities, and a focus on work-life balance, we’ll support you every step of the way. 👨👩👧👦 A Family-Friendly Place to Live With low crime rates, top-rated schools, and towns like Kirkby Lonsdale and Penrith recognised as some of the UK’s best places to live, this is a community where you and your family can truly thrive. 📚 Join the Children’s Social Work Academy and take your career to the next level with our supportive training programs, including the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE). 📲 Visit https://lnkd.in/e4fPqJbF or email us at childrenssocialworkacademy@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk