Thursday, March 26, 2009 3www.whitehaven-news.co.uk Cleator Crack
Blue Skies offers free help
and support to community
THE Blue Skies Support
group has officially been
launched in Cleator Moor.
The service will be held in
the town council building, in
the Market Square and is
open to anyone who suffers
from stress, anxiety and de-
pression.
Founder members of the
group, Patricia Sharkey, Pe-
ter Sharkey and Joan Hully,
were at the launch to explain
why the service has been set
up.
Patricia Sharkey said:
"For many years a support
group has been needed for
my family, therefore I felt
that to support others like
myself, Blue Skies needed to
be brought to the commu-
nity."
Joan Hully said currently
there is a big gap in the
mental health services be-
tween people going to the GP
and getting help.
She added: "This group
gives people a chance to be
listened to and to be sign
posted to other services that
are available.We are provid-
ing a wide range of services
at no cost."
Regular sessions will be
held every following Tues-
day and Thursday 11am to
3pm, where people can go
along to share experiences,
get support and get assis-
tance from people who care.
Other practical services
may be offered on follow up
visits including counsellors,
holistic therapist and men-
tor - although these will be
arranged through the Blue
Skies team.
Peter Sharkey said:
"There is a great need for
help between going to a GP
and what happens next. Most
anti-depressants just keep
problems at bay, they don't
get rid of them.
"People need the support
when they come off medi-
cation as to how to deal with
their problems, at Blue Skies
we can help."
Alongside individuals
who are suffering from anx-
iety, stress and depression,
the group aims to support
families and carers.
Although this is a service
in Cleator Moor, it is avail-
able for people in the whole
of West Cumbria.
Support is also offered to
employers who may have
employees with mental
health issues.
Carl Lewthwaite, com-
pany disability champion for
Sellafield Ltd, has been
working closely with the
group to ensure that employ-
ees with mental health is-
sues receive the support they
need.
He said: "I'm aware that
the help is very poor for men-
tal health in Copeland.
"This group has already
helped out with a couple of
employees on a friendship
basis and they were very pro-
fessional about it.
"To have an organisation
on our doorstep for the com-
munity and Sellafield is a
must.
"These are local people
who know the community, I
really hope it's a success be-
cause they have put a lot of
work in and overcome a lot of
hurdles to get where they are
now."
Blue Skies organisers are
still looking for volunteers.
For more information, or
to volunteer, contact Patricia
on 01946 810945.
BY SARAH ROBINSON
Searching for a family for
centenary celebration
MEMBERS of the Burns-Lindow
family are being sought.
Next year is the centenary of the
Lindow Hall at Bowness on Solway
and the trustees and management
committee are planning to mark the
event in some way.
They wish to contact any member
of the Lindow family or the Burns-
Lindow family, last known of in the
Cleator Moor area.
Contact Liz Sarginson on 016973
52762 if you are a member of this
family and wish to take part.
Police surgeries
start at Moor
BY SARAH ROBINSON
POLICE surgeries will be
opening in Cleator Moor.
PCSO Alan Willison has
set up surgeries at the town
council building in the
Square for people to talk
about any issues that con-
cern them, ask any ques-
tions or just to have a chat.
PCSO Willison (pictured)
said: "I am a firm believer in
the power of a community's
spirit, and also the effect that
spirit can have on the re-
duction of crime. If a com-
munity can pull together
and make a statement that
they are not prepared to put
up with crime and anti-so-
cial behaviour, then the im-
pact on such behaviour can
be great.
"I would like to ask the
community to let me know
about any nuisance and anti-
social behaviour or drug re-
lated incidents in their
neighbourhood and also to
just have a crack with me in
the street while I'm on patrol,
or at the surgeries."
He added: "The elderly
and vulnerable in particular,
should never feel unsafe or
intimidated in their own
community, so I will be mak-
ing an effort to engage with,
and reassure them, that I am
there to help."
He said he will be con-
tacting local organisations
and partners to introduce
himself and find out how
best he can assist.
"I look forward to getting
involved with the commu-
nity and hope I can make a
difference," he said.
The upcoming surgeries
will be held between 2pm
and 3pm on April 1, April 15,
May 13 and June 10. More
surgeries will be planned for
later in the year.
Adele's taste
of the Orient
CLEATOR Moor's Adele Wilkinson was the
`model' student at a recent cultural event at
Lakes College.
Adele, 17, was dressed in a sari � a
traditional Indian garment � as part of The
Northern School of Asia & Oriental Cook-
ing Road Show held at the college earlier
this month.
Students also learned about the cuisines
of India, Sri Lanka, Goa, Pakistan and
Bangladesh at the event.
Adele said: "The show has been enjoy-
able. I am a catering student and found the
information about different methods of
cooking and cultural food interesting"
DRESS
CODE:
Ooys Rigg
with
student
Adele
Wilkinson,
from
Cleator
Moor, who
gets to try
on a sari
Picture:
John Story
WORKING TOGETHER: Patricia Sharkey, of the group and Carl
Lewthwaite, from Sellafield, at the group's launch event
LAUNCH: Peter Sharkey with
one of the bags given away ADVICE: David Hill SUPPORTIVE: Clare Lowery HERE TO HELP: Joan Hully
18 High Street,
Cleator Moor
Telephone:
01946 810371
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