In August 2019, Cockermouth Linking Lives in Cumbria was registered as our first project in Cumbria.
The scheme will be run by Churches Together in the Cockermouth Area (CTiCA) and has the backing of Cumbria County Council, Allerdale Borough Council, Cockermouth Rotary Club and Cinnamon Network.
Terry Peate, who coordinated the local arrangements to set the project up explained “I have a heart for old people and realised through visiting quite a lot in my role I wanted to do something big. I wanted to set something up along the lines of the Foodbank. I’d like to think Linking Lives will go along a similar pathway and grow and cover a wider area than Cockermouth in the future.
“This is mainly about people who do not have a connection with church that find themselves alone, perhaps because of bereavement or because their children have moved away for work or they have retired. This is a two-way thing as the volunteers also get a real benefit as a link friend sharing quality time,” said Terry.
“Everyone at Linking Lives has been extremely helpful and professional and has provided an excellent website, robust recruitment and safeguarding procedures together with expert advice on building a sustainable service,” he said.
Sue Gorman has been appointed as scheme coordinator. There will be a formal launch at Cockermouth Town Hall on October 29. James Newcome, Bishop of Carlisle and patron of Linking Lives UK will preside.
