CIWG Community Page

08/06/2026

Our wonderful dance class collaboration with Woman Up continues! Check out this week’s Indian Folk class!

04/06/2026

Thanks to Susan from Carlisle Writers' Group for the visit yesterday!

03/06/2026

This Volunteers' Week we want to recognise and say Thank You! to all our amazing volunteers who help keep COWC's groups and activities going year on year! We hope you all know that we are so grateful for everything you do and that we wouldn't be here without you!
Carlisle Fairtrade Cumberland Sanctuary Network page CIWG Community Page

01/06/2026

31/05/2026

Do you want to connect with other parents, enjoy some amazing FREE food and spend time socialising in a relaxed, welcoming space?

We’re inviting African parents and carers to come along to our FREE workshop “How to Advocate So Your Child can Thrive at School”.

There are still a few spaces left so register NOW before they’re all snapped up!

These workshops are a chance for parents to share YOUR experiences with the education system and talk about how different situations have been handled.

What worked well? What could have been better?

Together, we’ll explore ideas for how we can improve things for your young people, and we’ll answer as many questions as we can.

Experience has shown us that a barrier African parents face when challenging racism is fear of how this might affect visa status or the right to remain. That’s why the brilliant organisation, Migrant Action, will be joining us. They’re going to be helping with advice around what you can (or can’t) do when it comes to Migrant Education Justice, and address any fears you might have in challenging racism your children may be subject to.

Talking about these issues helps ensure racism is challenged in an informed and confident way, so that families no longer feel ignored, invisible or excluded within schools.

As well as all of this, we’ll have youth spaces and childcare available so you can bring your family too. What are you waiting for?! Sign up now!

➡️KENDAL 17th June:, 6.00pm - 9.00pm
🍛Food by Flavamore - Jamaican foodie!

➡️CARLISLE 18th June:10.00am to 1.00pm
🍛Food by “new on the block” Anita, who will be serving up some serious varieties of jollof rice and meats.

➡️CARLISLE - 18th June: 2.00pm - 5.00pm
🍛Food by (another Anita!) this time Anita’s Home Kitchen!

Sign up NOW using this form: https://forms.gle/ZggyAjBoEftpe2wj8

Find out more: https://antiracistcumbria.org/event-directory/

*These workshops are designed to centre the experiences of parents and carers from Black African communities in Cumbria. We will discuss culturally specific challenges and build confidence in advocating for children within the UK education system. As such the content is currently tailored for this audience as part of our commitment to advance racial equity in our schools. This is very much a pilot project and we want to learn from it to be able to hold more workshops for other parents with differing circumstances in the future.

31/05/2026

Do you want to get more involved in a positive alternative to the culture of hatred and racism which is being pushed in our beautiful county?

We do, and that’s why ARC is supporting Carlisle’s Unity Festival and Cumbria Diversity Carnival this June. But this post isn’t just so we can tell you we’ll be there, it’s a direct ask to YOU.

We need you and all your mates to come.

Why?

We can’t build community and truly show the world that Cumbria is a place of friendship, positivity, community and welcome if we don’t have record numbers of people attending. We can’t build connections if we don’t have in person events where people get offline and meet each other in real life!

These events are multicultural and diversity focused and aren’t anti-racist on their own, but alongside anti-racist action they are a really important piece of the puzzle. We are currently experiencing a backlash against not only anti-racism but Equality, Diversity and Inclusion initiatives too. By supporting these events, you can push back and be part of something positive. If we keep showing up we can outshine the hatred and racism which far-right agitators who have bad intentions for our communities are pushing.

So if you’re reading this, take it as your sign to come along and get involved!

➡️Carlisle Unity Festival
🗓️Sat 6th June
⏰12-4pm at Tullie House
🌱Make sure to pop by ARC’s Planting Seeds of Hope stall!
🍅🌯Big Lunch at midday in the grounds of Tullie!
No need to get tickets, just show up!

➡️Cumbria Diversity Carnival
🗓️Sat 20th June
⏰11-2pm

Find more info & get your FREE ticket here!
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cumbria-diversity-carnival-2026-tickets-1976582312906

Carlisle's Unity Festival Tullie Afrikana CIC Multicultural Cumbria PINC LGBT+ Youth - Pride in North Cumbria Carlisle One World Centre Carlisle Refugee Action Group page

31/05/2026

This trip has now been postponed due to the weather. Watch this space for a new date!

We will be meeting for our usual 1st Wednesday of the month Coffee Morning in the Afrikana Centre, 148 Botchergate, from 11am instead!

JOIN US for a WILD WOODLAND LUNCH - a gorgeous day out with our friends at Carlisle International Women's Group (CIWG) on Wednesday 3rd June to Watchtree Nature Reserve, organised by our lovely Sam 😃

* We will leave Carlisle at 10.30am and be home by 2.45pm.

* Lunch will be provided.

* Please let us know if you would like to join us and if you need transport (comment below).

* Please let us know if you can offer transport (3 or 4 passengers - mileage expenses will be covered).

🌳Let's enjoy share a and GO WILD! 🌿

The Happy Mums Foundation CIWG Community Page Afrikana CIC Carlisle Refugee Action Group page

23/05/2026

We are clinging onto hope that this new ruling will be overturned. We agree wholeheartedly with this statement from Cumbria Pride & stand in solidarity with all LGBTQ people 🩵🩷🤍🩵🩷💛🤍💜🖤

On 21 May, Minister for Women and Equalities Bridget Phillipson presented the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s updated Code of Practice, setting out how the Equality Act should apply to single-s*x spaces following last year’s Supreme Court ruling on the legal definition of s*x.

This has left many transgender and non binary people feeling hurt, anxious, and deeply concerned about the impact it may have on their rights, dignity, and access to public life. We stand firmly with our transgender and non binary community - you are valued, you are loved, and you belong!! We will continue to advocate for inclusion, safety, equality, and respect for all! 🏳️‍⚧️

The draft Code is now subject to 40 days of parliamentary scrutiny. MPs can still raise objections before it comes into force, so we encourage everyone to contact their MP. This guidance risks weakening protections not only for transgender people, but for the wider LGBT+ community as well.

If you are struggling right now following this news, please reach out for support.

🏳️‍⚧️ Cumbria Transgender Wellbeing Hub
Open for drop in 2-6pm every Monday (excluding bank holidays)
📍 9 Brunswick Street, Carlisle
https://www.outreachcumbria.co.uk/cumbria-transgender-wellbeing-hub

🏳️‍⚧️ Mindline Trans
Available Mondays and Fridays, 8pm - Midnight
📞 0300 330 5468
https://mindlinetrans.org.uk/

🏳️‍⚧️ TRUK Listens
Available 8am - Midnight daily
📞 0800 009 6640
https://truklistens.org/

🏳️‍🌈 Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline
Available 10am-10pm daily (LGBT+ support)
📞 0800 0119 100
https://switchboard.lgbt/

💚 Samaritans
For general support, any time day or night
📞 116 123
https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/

20/05/2026

Our SHE MOVES project with Woman Up continues and the series of 8 INDIAN DANCE CLASSES are already a hit! Next up: Bollywood with Shweta on WEDNESDAY 20th May, 7.15 - 8.45pm at Botcherby Community Centre.
🧡WOMEN ONLY🧡

Shweta Shweta M says:
"My name is Shweta Ajay. I am a doctor by profession and dancer by passion. Bollywood dance form is a vibrant and expressive dance that has a blend of traditional Indian dance, folk and western hip hop. Stay tuned for fun filled dance sessions!"💃🏿💃🏾💃🏽💃🏼💃🏻💃

Don't miss out! Book tickets 🎟 here: https://www.trybooking.com/uk/GKDJ
ONLY £4 per class.
Women on low incomes can request free tickets - direct message or email: [email protected]


Carlisle's Unity Festival SalsaIn Cumbria Sport England Afrikana CIC Cumbria Hindu Association The Activity Bus Multicultural Cumbria BBC Cumbria