Cockermouth Linking Lives

26/10/2026

A group of volunteers who help households in need at Christmas have issued an urgent plea for financial support.

Since 2020, the Taste of Christmas food parcel project has provided approximately 2,850 Christmas food parcels to households in financial hardship to support them to navigate the Christmas bank holiday period. The project covers a large geographical area, including Silloth to Workington and across to Keswick.

This year, the volunteers have had a successful start in securing the funding to deliver this valuable project, however, they remain short of their funding target which may lead to the group not being able to support as many households as in the past.

The small group consists of volunteer members of the Cockermouth Emergency Response Group Operations Team (Hayley Bishop, Liam Darby and Paul Mogford) and community volunteers Heather Nixon and Paul Scott. The group are appealing for any organisations to step forward who can help them with financial support to make the Taste of Christmas 2026 project a success.

Last year, 43 organisations, including housing associations, schools and food banks, referred 350 households for a free food parcel. Volunteers packed 1,040 bags with 5,920 items bought from the generosity of local funders. This endeavour supported 604 adults and 668 children over the festive period.

A recipient of a parcel in 2025 said “receiving this parcel had made a huge difference to me and my family, as we have been struggling to make ends meet. It means that I can provide my children a Christmas dinner.” Another said “thank you so much, we didn't know how to afford presents this year and this parcel took a huge stress off me and my family. I'm so grateful, you have no idea how much we appreciate this kindness.”

In previous years, the project has distributed upwards of 600 parcels. The group are therefore appealing for any organisations to step forward who can provide financial support to ensure the Taste of Christmas 2026 project reaches as many households as possible.

Anyone requiring further information, or for those who would like to pledge their financial support, can contact [email protected].

23/10/2026

22/10/2026

So proud to be featured in the Linking Lives 10 Year Anniversary Magazine 💙

19/10/2026

Free tasty things if you have gluten intolerance or coeliac disease and are willing to give constructive feedback!
🍞🥖🥐🥨🥯🥪🫓🍞🥖🥐🥨🥪

We're looking for a group of people to help us as we set up the bakery, upscale production and work out what things we're going to sell. I don't want to call them guinea pigs. I think pioneers is a better word, boldly going into the unknown!

You really need to be in either Cockermouth or Keswick or be able to get into one of those places very quickly. You need to be a coeliac or someone with a gluten intolerance.

We're going to give you free food. Loaves, rolls, scones, cakes. All we want you to do is give us some feedback. Did you like it? Would you buy it? What would you change?

We'd also like ideas for the future development of the bakery. We'll organise meet ups in Keswick when you can come round and see the unit for yourselves. You can give us feedback on packaging, pricing, new products and new outlets.

We think this will be busy to begin with and then it will settle down over time. Whoever becomes a pioneer will have been integral in our development and we won't forget you over the years to come.

If you're interested please drop us an email at:-

[email protected]

We're looking for three or four people to join us on the journey.

Thanks

19/10/2026

A wonderful calendar being produced to raise money to help fund the vital work we do 🙂

Have you got a GREAT photograph of Christmas in Lorton Vale to share?

We’re getting reading to take pre-orders of this year’s LORTON VALE CALENDAR - this year in aid of St Cuthbert’s Church, Lorton, and also Cockermouth Linking Lives. Here’s a sneak preview of the draft cover, showing the race leader on last year’s amazing Wheelbase Fred Whitton Challenge speeding into High Lorton from Whinlatter on a blissful May morning.

And it’s NOT TOO LATE to feature in this year’s calendar...

We’ve got lots of lovely images for January to November, and the front and back covers, from a record ELEVEN local contributors. THANK YOU! But we’re looking for something Christmassy for December – Christmas lights, carol singing... as long as it’s taken in the valley and will make people think about Christmas (and smile!) from the day they flip their calendar into November.

Photos need to be high-resolution and emailed as attachments to Lois on [email protected] as soon as you can, so we can get printing as soon as possible.

THANK YOU

15/10/2026

Every 3rd Thursday we host a community Chatty Lunch Club at Christ Church Rooms; with a different special speaker/visitor or craft activity each time. There is always a lovely soup and a lovely pudding and so many smiley faces 🙂

13/10/2026

If you or anyone you know is a vulnerable person in the Cockermouth area, please make sure details are registered with the wonderful Cockermouth Emergency Response Group by scrolling down to “Household Registration” on this website and completing the form.

There is also a downloadable form you can print, fill out and return by email or post!

https://www.cerg.org.uk/registration

13/10/2026

Know how to prepare and stay safe in case of a flood.

09/10/2026

💚

🎉 Join us as the Cockermouth Repair Cafe celebrates its First Birthday on International Repair Day!

🗓 Date: Saturday, 17th October 2026
⏰ Time: 12:00 pm – 2:30 pm
📍 Location: Cockermouth Methodist Church Hall, Lorton St

Got a broken household item? Bring along your electrical goods, furniture, toys, and clothing to be assessed and repaired for free by our fab volunteers.
Enjoy delicious soup, cake, and refreshments while connecting with friends and neighbours!

Find out more at www.cockermouthcan.org.uk