A COLLABORATIVE community advice and support event took place at the Botcherby Community Centre earlier this week (May 10).
The Summer Harvest event allowed for local residents to come find out about what advice and support is available to them especially as we go through a cost-of-living crisis, whilst also providing the opportunity to pick up some free swimwear and toys as donated by local supermarkets, as well as have a go on the eco-friendly smoothie bike.
The Botcherby Community Centre led event was part funded by Cumbria County Council and supported by Tesco and Morrisons Community Champions as well as Riverside Housing Association and Carlisle's Eden Mind.
Kelly Cromie, Tesco's Community Champion said: "I received lots of swimming costumes in early December and I messaged Ann Crook (from Cumbria County Council) to see if she would have any use for them. We had done something similar for a Halloween harvest but last time we only had a couple of people come but it's really snowballed, it's great.
READ MORE: Maryport Rescue to host fun day to raise funds
"It's the feeling that you may have just helped that one person," she said.
Carlisle Eden Mind's Connect Case worker, Amy Farnell, said: "Today's been really good, it's mental health awareness week so we just to raise awareness and to let people to know we are here to help, and to tell them about our lighthouse service which available every night if people ever need to talk."
Kelly, from the Riverside Housing Association, said: "We've got services we just need our tenants to be aware of like our employment and training service, which helps provide training opportunities for job aspirations as well as benefits advice service.
"We've also got Stuart here today from the Affordable Warmth team, which helps our tenants with support for any issues with their energy supplier, which is becoming more prevalent this time of year.
"It's just about making people aware of what's available to help," she said.
Manager of Botcherby Community Centre, Helen Fisher, said: "This has been a really useful event for us today because it's allowed us to push other things that we believe people need and can help them, such as our affordable foodhub - The Pop Up Pantry.
"When people meet us in person they realise it's not just something they've seen on Facebook, they can just come in have a crack and laugh with us," she said.
The Pop-up Pantry runs every Wednesday from 12pm-4pm and allows for those struggling financially to get a shops worth for only £3.50.
READ MORE: Cumbria Tourism team up with Northern for 25% off greener deals
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here