Community Projects

Strengthening communities through connection, opportunity, and lived experience

The Well Communities delivers a range of community projects designed to reduce isolation, build confidence, and create real pathways to recovery and independence. Each project is shaped by lived experience and grounded in compassion, partnership, and practical support.

Whether someone needs help with employment, mental health, substance use, or simply reconnecting with life, our community projects offer a place to start.

Bay 5k Recovery Run

The Bay 5K Recovery Run is about hope, resilience, and connection.

It recognises the role that movement, community, and wellbeing can play in recovery journeys. The event creates a space where people can come together, share encouragement, and show that recovery is not only possible;it’s something to be celebrated.

More than just a race, it’s about:

  • Breaking stigma around addiction
  • Celebrating progress, no matter how big or small
  • Building supportive communities
  • Promoting physical and mental wellbeing

Why does it matter?

Recovery can often feel isolating but no one should have to do it alone.

The Bay 5K Recovery Run exists to show that there is a strong, visible, and supportive community standing behind people on their recovery journeys. Every step taken on the day represents courage, strength, and the belief in a better future.

By taking part, you’re helping to:

  • Raise awareness of recovery and reduce stigma
  • Support others who may be struggling
  • Celebrate the achievements of individuals and communities
  • Be part of a movement that promotes hope and lasting change
Find out more

Whether you’re running for yourself,  someone you love, or in solidarity, this is your chance to be part of something bigger.

Grow Your Own (GYO)

Supporting people into training, volunteering, and employment

Our Grow Your Own project helps people across Westmorland & Furness and Cumberland become job ready by building skills, confidence, and connections. We support participants through:

  • Volunteering opportunities that build purpose and confidence
  • Training and education tailored to the roles they want
  • Hands on work experience and realworld learning
  • Wellbeing support to reduce isolation and build resilience
  • Opportunities to meet new people and join supportive networks
  • Recruitment pathways linking people with placements and employers

With steady encouragement and ongoing support, we help participants gain the experience they need to move into paid work or meaningful volunteering.

Why It Matters

Grow Your Own tackles the barriers that prevent people from working, including:

  • Discrimination
  • Lack of childcare
  • Limited transport
  • Poverty, homelessness, and social isolation

Together, we create pathways to meaningful employment and brighter futures.

Contact the GYO team
gyo@thewell2.co.uk

Barrow: 01229 829832 Kendal: 01539 725906 Carlisle: 01228 217215

Delivered in partnership with the National Lottery Community Fund, the Office for Health Improvement & Disparities, and Cumberland Council.

Changing Futures

Supporting people facing multiple complex disadvantages

Launched in March 2022, Changing Futures supports people experiencing multiple disadvantages such as substance misuse, mental health challenges, domestic abuse, homelessness, and involvement with the criminal justice system.

We use a multiagency approach, working closely with partner organisations to ensure each person receives the full range of support they need.

Navigators with lived experience

Our Changing Futures Navigators lead with lived experience. Their role is to build trust, form meaningful relationships, and walk alongside each person for as long as needed – there is no time limit.

Navigators help people access:

  • Drug and alcohol services
  • Mental health support
  • Probation and justice services
  • Housing and safety services
  • Activities, hobbies, and interests that have been lost along the way

A typical day might include supporting someone to a mental health appointment, sharing a meal, helping them reconnect with a hobby, or simply offering company and encouragement. Changing Futures is about making someone’s day better – whatever that looks like for them.

Successes include:

  • Supporting people into detox and rehab
  • Helping vulnerable women access secure women’s units
  • Encouraging consistent attendance at appointments
  • Supporting individuals into safe housing
  • Celebrating every step forward, no matter how small

When someone’s needs become less complex, we help them transition into other TWC projects so their journey continues with the wider community.

Contact
Jake Hawkesford – jhawksford@thewell2.co.uk

Funded by the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government.

Recovery isn’t something you have to do alone.

SMMILES

Supporting people with severe mental illness and coexisting substance use

Substance use and mental illness often go hand in hand. Our SMMILES service supports people living with severe mental illness alongside substance misuse, helping them manage daily challenges and build stability.

What SMMILES offers

  • Facilitated access to community services
  • Support to engage with mental health and substance use services
  • A facilitated WhatsApp group
  • Social activities
  • Ongoing community support
  • 6 week 1:1 intervention
  • Extended 1:1 intervention where needed
  • Group work

The project focuses on reducing isolation, building connections, and strengthening Recovery Capital.

Who SMMILES supports

People who:

  • Live in North Cumberland, Copeland, or Allerdale
  • Have a Substance Misuse Disorder
  • Experience Severe Mental Illness (NHS Care Cluster 4)

Self referrals
0800 2545658
smmiles@thewell2.co.uk

Delivered in partnership with CADAS and NHS North East & North Cumbria.

Ketamine Support

Compassionate support for people affected by ketamine use

The Ketamine Support Project is a place where people find understanding, compassion, and the chance to rebuild their lives in a way that feels safe and possible. Many people come to us feeling overwhelmed, isolated, or unsure where to begin. We are here to show that change is possible.

Our support is personal, gentle, and rooted in lived experience. We meet people where they are – sometimes literally – offering one to one support at home, emotional encouragement, and steady guidance until confidence begins to grow.

Recovery isn’t a straight line. It’s made of brave decisions, small wins, and days when you simply keep going. We walk with people through all of it.

What we offer:

  • One to one support that meets people where they’re at
  • Gentle guidance through early steps and setbacks
  • Group sessions that build connection and confidence
  • Opportunities to rediscover purpose, interests, and wellbeing
  • A community that listens, encourages, and understands
  • Support to rebuild life in a way that feels hopeful and sustainable

Recovery happens through compassion, consistency, and the belief that better days are possible – at The Well, we are here to remind people of that possibility.

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HOPE Haven

HOPE Haven is a lifeline for people across North Cumbria who need calm, connection and real human support during difficult times.

Working alongside NHS partners, community organisations and livede xperience teams, we offer compassionate, practical help for people experiencing mental health challenges – whether that’s through crisis aware support, in reach, or seamless links into the right services.

By bringing organisations together, HOPE Haven makes support easier to reach, quicker to access and grounded in genuine care. It’s about making sure no one faces their struggles alone, and that every person has a safe place to be heard, understood and supported.

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1CLIC

1CLIC is our lived experience partnership with Cumbria Police, supporting people who are being exploited or pulled into county lines activity.

We step in quickly, offering regular in person support, practical safeguarding, and wraparound help with housing, addiction, money worries and daily stability.

By working directly in local communities – and alongside the officers who understand these risks best – we help people break free from exploitation, rebuild safety, and reconnect with hope and purpose.

1CLIC is focused on giving people the chance to move forward with dignity, stability and real support.

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Through the Gate

Our Through the Gate service helps people leaving prison take their first steps into stability, safety and hope.

Working hand in hand with Change Grow Live (CGL) in Lancashire, our lived experience team meets people at the point of release, offering a warm welcome, practical support and someone who genuinely understands the journey ahead.

From gate pickups and first day essentials to setting up treatment, housing, benefits and community connections, we stay by people’s side through those crucial early weeks.
Through the Gate is about reducing risk, rebuilding confidence and giving every person the chance to start again with dignity and real support.

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Communities of Safe Spaces

Our Communities of Safe Spaces team supports people who come into hospital with alcohol or drug related concerns, offering compassionate, lived experience support right at the bedside.

Working closely with clinical teams across wards and A&E, we help identify people who are struggling – especially those who attend frequently or are living with both mental health and substance use challenges.

We listen, reassure, and open the door to community based recovery as soon as someone is ready. Whether that means linking into treatment, reducing harm, or simply offering hope and a plan for what comes next, we help turn a crisis moment into a chance for connection, stability and a safer future.

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