The Westmorland and Furness Council website offers information on financial support, including Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, and Universal Credit. It explains eligibility, how to apply, and how benefits are calculated. There is also guidance on reporting changes in circumstances, backdating claims, appealing decisions, and submitting supporting documents. The site also includes contact details for […]

You'll have a warm welcome from Vision Support Barrow and District which works to enable and support people with sight loss to lead independent lives. They provide a wide range of services and practical support for them and their families across South West Cumbria. Vision impairment can present barriers which seem difficult to overcome. They […]

Travel Actively is Active Cumbria’s new programme which aims to support, encourage and enable people to be more active by cycling, walking and wheeling for everyday journeys in Barrow (and Carlisle). The Travel Actively website is now live and has lots of information to help you travel actively - including this section on the benefits […]

The Well Communities creates a supportive environment with a community of peers, professionals, and partners, providing continued encouragement and reinforcement to help build confidence, strength, and most importantly, inclusion—back at the centre of where you’ve always wanted to be. Building healthy lives is what The Well is all about. For over a decade, we’ve been […]

The Bay is a Nature and Wellbeing Programme, offering people living in Morecambe Bay the opportunity to get outdoors, connect with nature, and take part in a range of activities which cover the 5 Ways to Wellbeing. It has been set up to tackle the feelings of isolation and loneliness in Morecambe Bay. Created by […]

The home of the Trust, and the base for most of our activities, is the Spring Mount Walney building on Amphritrite Street, Walney. The Trust provides a wide range of activities, which can be roughly split into “youth based” and “community based”, often with considerable overlap between the two. Youth activities include Youth Club sessions […]

Warm hubs generally close at the end of March or during April. Please check with the venues if you’d like to get in touch. Warm Spots offers a warm, welcoming space to for people to visit during winter. The hubs are run by a range of different organisations including churches, village halls, local councils and […]

St Mary’s Hospice is dedicated to providing exceptional, compassionate care for individuals with life-limiting conditions, supporting patients and their families through every stage with dignity and understanding. The hospice’s holistic approach addresses not only the physical, but also the emotional, social, and spiritual needs of both patients and their loved ones. For those who prefer […]

Anji, Nicki, Kimberly, Shelby and Zoe are the link worker social prescribers for the eight GP practices across Barrow-in-Furness. They are here to support the community with non-medical related situations and to improve health and well-being, and can spend more time with patients looking at the wider issues affecting someone’s health and wellbeing. They can […]

The Salvation Army is situated in the centre of Barrow-in-Furness and is a Christian Church that seeks to offer holistic support to everyone, including some of the most vulnerable in our town. They offer hot drinks on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 10:00am-2:00pm as well as a free pasty and pie lunch on Wednesdays 12:00-1:00pm. Call […]

SAFA is committed to making a positive difference to the lives of individuals in Cumbria who self harm and to those who support them. Our primary goal is to empower individuals to take responsibility for their own lives and we do this through non-judgmental counselling and trusting support. SAFA is passionate about delivering the highest […]

Morecambe Bay Partnership is a charity dedicated to preserving and promoting the natural environment, culture, and heritage of Morecambe Bay. Their work spans from Barrow to Fleetwood, connecting people with the area's wildlife, landscapes, and history. They support conservation efforts, offer educational resources, and run various community projects. Volunteers and public donations are vital to […]

"We are on your doorstep, on the other end of the phone or online". Whether you're stressed, depressed or in crisis, they will listen, give you support and advice, and fight your corner. They will push for a better deal and respect for everyone experiencing a mental health problem. Their vision is to work proactively […]

Love Barrow Families was founded in 2014 by two local public service workers, Katrina Robson and Alison Tooby, and was co-designed with local families and practitioners using co-production principles. Love Barrow Families is rooted in our community and has grown from the ground upwards. They offer brews and "fare share" food on Thursdays from 9:00am […]

Inspira is a leading expert in employability skills, offering FREE professional careers advice and guidance across Cumbria and Lancashire. They support individuals at every stage of their journey - whether you're unemployed, exploring a career change, facing redundancy, or looking to boost your skills - with tailored employment programmes and one-to-one support. Their advisers will […]

A team of Health and Wellbeing Coaches (HAWCs) within the Westmorland and Furness Public Health Team work on public health initiatives and provide health and wellbeing support across the county. Access coaching to help with your mental and physical health, your social situation, addictions or your living conditions. Click HERE to view the leaflet. The […]

Green Doctors are energy efficiency experts offering free, impartial advice to help you take control of your bills and save energy in the home. They help you take control of your bills, save energy where possible in the home, and access other services and initiatives available. They provide different kinds of support too, whether that’s […]

Furness Refugee Support is a small, registered charity run by volunteers without paid staff. They work to support refugees and people seeking asylum that live in our community. They do this in lots of ways. They can help with practical support, such as going shopping, creating a home, going to appointments, learning English and dealing […]

Westmorland & Furness Family Hub is taking care of services previously delivered by Family Action 0-19. Please click here to visit their website, or use the visit site button. You can also find their weekly sessions by searching for "Family Hub" in the Activity Hub of this website. The FamilyLine helpline is operated by Family […]

Every Life Matters is a charity focused on suicide prevention and suicide bereavement support in Cumbria. If people are struggling to cope or are having thoughts of suicide they are there to offer support and advice. It’s okay to ask for upport to see you through difficult times. The organisation provides resources such as suicide […]

A new, inclusive outdoor hub will be created at Earnse Bay, on Walney, to connect local communities and visitors alike with open spaces, nature and education. The hub will forge a link between people of all ages in Barrow with this uniquely beautiful coastal location overlooking the Irish Sea. Connections will be made through physical […]

Cumbria Wildlife Trust is a wildlife conservation charity. The trust cares passionately about wildlife and wild places – they’re here to put wildlife back into our land and seascapes to make Cumbria a wilder county with more space for nature. They restore and connect wild places, work with nature to tackle the climate emergency and […]

Cando FM is a community radio station based in Barrow-in-Furness, serving the wider Furness area. It operates both as an FM and internet radio service, with a focus on community involvement. Its programming covers a variety of topics, including local news, music, mental health awareness, and public health initiatives. Cando FM encourages active participation from […]

Barrow Library is a key neighbourhood hub to benefit the entire community. As well as libraries, it offers a cafe area, a sensory room for children with additional needs, and a soundproof pod which provides a private space for services such as blue badge applications. The café area offers space to sit and relax with […]

BarrowFull works with local people to make creative things happen within the Barrow community. Current and past projects include creative workshops, festivals and public art installations, plus collaborations with local schools, artists, theatre makers and poets locally, nationally and internationally. Projects celebrate local heritage, creativity, and community spirit with accessible cultural experiences. Highlights include the […]

Autus Cumbria supports autistic children and adults by offering social opportunities, support, training and advocacy. They are a small not-for-profit organisation with a big heart – offering a helping hand, friendly face and support for autistic people and their family/carers, friends and colleagues. Autus Cumbria is based at Walney Community Centre in Barrow-in-Furness. However, they […]

A long term Art Gene Project, created by Art Gene Artists/Directors Maddi Nicholson and Stuart Bastik with Artist in Residence Hannah Brackston and Ecological Designer Vincent Walsh, developing a community growing space on an acre of scrubland on the Island of Walney.  Allotment Soup is a long-term Art Gene project, actively working with local people […]

Art Gene is an innovative arts organisation based in Barrow-in-Furness, dedicated to merging art, architecture, and community engagement to address pressing social, environmental, and technological issues. Since its founding in 1999, Art Gene has facilitated collaboration between artists, architects, ecologists, and local communities, fostering a deep engagement with local and global challenges. Their mission is […]

Andy’s Man Club is a national movement with a simple but powerful mission: to provide a safe space for men to come together and talk about mental health. The Barrow-in-Furness group meets every Monday evening and offers a supportive, non-judgmental environment where men can share their experiences, talk through their struggles, or simply listen to […]

The Barrow Borough Poverty Truth Commission brought together people living in poverty in Barrow with major business, education and local government stakeholders. The project started up in 2023 with the aim of sharing the voices of people living on very low incomes with people in positions of power and influence. The people sharing their stories, […]

Stitch Ability is a project under the umbrella of A Stitch Different CIC, aimed at empowering individuals within the community who may experience isolation and loneliness. With training and experience in neural differences, anxiety, behaviour and sensory using through creative and practical activities to start a conversation. This social enterprise focuses on engaging with the […]

UPDATE: The Furness 4 U Connect Hub closed on 13th March 2026 as the project reached the end of its funded delivery period. Groundwork runs the Furness 4 U Connect Hub which hosts weekly sessions for the community. All their activities feature in the events calendar, or click the "visit site" button to see their […]

The Furness Multicultural Community Forum is a vital organisation dedicated to promoting cultural integration and supporting diverse communities within the Furness region. Through their comprehensive services, the forum plays a key role in fostering understanding and collaboration between individuals of different cultural backgrounds. They offer a range of services, including advice on immigration, community support, […]

Cumbria CVS (Council for Voluntary Service), which manages this online directory, plays a pivotal role in supporting voluntary organisations and community groups throughout Cumbria. As an infrastructure organisation, their mission is to strengthen local communities and foster a vibrant, resilient voluntary sector. The organisation offers a broad range of services designed to help groups grow, […]

Women’s Community Matters is a charitable organisation based in Barrow-in-Furness, providing a safe and supportive environment for women and young people facing a wide range of challenges. These can include domestic abuse, mental health issues, housing instability, and involvement with the criminal justice system. By using a trauma-informed approach, the organisation empowers individuals through a […]

The Barrow & District Disability Association (BDDA) is a well-established charity in Barrow-in-Furness, dedicated to supporting people with disabilities and their families. Founded over 40 years ago, BDDA has grown into a vital community resource, offering a wide range of services tailored to enhance the quality of life for individuals with disabilities. The organisation provides […]

As a Furness For You partner, Brathay offers a social group for children aged 11 to 16 years and one-to-one youth worker support. Our social group runs weekly on a Wednesday evening. The aim to bring young people together who experience loneliness and social isolation. We have a strong core of young people who engage […]

Barrow Park Leisure Centre is a vibrant community hub in Barrow-in-Furness, dedicated to promoting health, fitness, and well-being for people of all ages and abilities. The centre offers a wide range of state-of-the-art facilities, including a fully equipped gym, a large swimming pool, group exercise studios, and a spacious sports hall. Whether you're looking to […]

Age UK South Cumbria has recently combined Age UK Barrow and District with Age UK South Lakes, and continues to be dedicated to supporting older people across South Cumbria. They are a vital part of the community, offering advice on welfare benefits, grants, blue badges and general support and guidance as well as assistance, companionship […]