A summer of community spirit lies ahead for Cumberland.
Cumberland Council’s Local Focus Hubs will again host four fantastic Operation Respect events.
Local Focus Hubs are partnerships including the council, police, housing associations and other organisations. They aim to collectively tackle antisocial behaviour and foster community cohesion.
The events will include community clean-ups, advice, sport, activities, food and interaction with the agencies who keep Cumberland safe. Each is based on a housing estate and is led by the relevant housing association.
There will be four across Cumberland – in Carlisle, Workington and Whitehaven.
As well as providing fun activities and access to support with wellbeing and finances, the Operation Respect events will allow people to talk to organisations, including the police, council, social landlords and others, about concerns in their communities.
Each event is led by one of the hub’s housing providers – Castles and Coasts (Northside), Westfield Housing Association (Westfield), Home Group (Woodhouse) and Riverside (Morton Manor) – and co-ordinated by Copeland Local Focus Hub, Carlisle Local Focus Hub or Allerdale Local Focus Hub.
The events run as follows, all from 10am until 2.30pm:
- Thursday, 31 July - Chances Park, Wigton Road, Morton Manor, Carlisle
- Tuesday, 5 August - Woodhouse, Whitehaven
- Wednesday 13 August – Northside Community Centre, Workington
- Thursday 21 August – Windsor Road, Westfield, Workington
Cumberland Council’s Portfolio Holder for Public Health and Communities, Cllr Justin McDermott, said:
"Operation Respect events are always really popular. They offer fun, free activities during the summer holidays, and encourage people to take pride in their estate. The events are also a really accessible way for people to get advice on lots of issues. Most importantly, they allow communities to interact with the "authorities" in an informal way. We think fostering these interactions - allowing organisations to show they are human and approachable - helps us feel we are all part of the same community, and treat each other as such.
"I'd urge residents to get involved – it’s a great opportunity to catch up with neighbours and make the most of where you live.”
Cumberland Basic Command Unit Neighbourhood Policing Chief Inspector, Richard Smillie, said: “We are pleased to be able to support this summer’s Operation Respect events across Cumberland.
“These events are a further chance for our communities to speak to the local Neighbourhood Policing Teams as well as our partners for advice and to discuss any issues they are facing. “We take a partnership approach to tackle issues within our communities, and work closely with organisations both within and outside of the local focus hubs to address any issues.”
Local Focus Hubs are highly collaborative partnerships set up to tackle antisocial behaviour and improve community safety. The council, police, fire service, housing associations and third sector organisations work to address issues collectively.