Westmorland & Furness Parent Carer Catch Ups - hosted by the charity Contact
Laura Burling from the charity Contact is inviting parent carers across Westmorland & Furness to come together for a relaxed cuppa and a chat about SEND.
These opportunities are just the beginning, with more in-person sessions to come across the area so families in all communities can get involved. These friendly sessions are a chance to share experiences, meet other parent carers, and help shape something really important: the very beginnings of what will become the Westmorland & Furness Parent Carer Forum. Your voice matters - and this is your opportunity to help build a supportive community that represents parent carers and SEND family experiences.
If you'd like to attend but maybe need some support to do so, please get in touch:
Email: Laura.burling@contact.org.uk or text/call 07808 774 233
February and March parent carer sessions
Following on from the January parent carer sessions, Laura is continuing the conversation with more opportunities for parent carers across Westmorland & Furness to get involved.
A series of engagement sessions are taking place during February and March, offering both online and in-person opportunities:
- 27 February 2026 (All area) – Online (10:30–11:30)
- 4 & 12 March 2026 (Grange) – Online (10:30–11:30 or 19:00–20:00)
- 5 March 2026 (Appleby) – Online (10:30–11:30)
- 19 March 2026 (Barrow-in-Furness) – In person (10:30-12:30) at Carer Support Furness, Nelson St, Barrow
It’s a chance to share experiences, connect with other families and help shape a new Parent Carer Forum for Westmorland & Furness.
In-person family sessions are also coming up in Alston and Penrith before the end of March, with more being planned across other areas in the Spring and Summer term.
If you’d like to bring parent carers together in your area, Laura would love to help – she can set up an online session or give you a hand with a coffee morning.
To get the links or have a chat, contact Laura:
Laura Burling (Contact Associate)
Email: Laura.burling@contact.org.uk
Telephone: 07808 774 233