CONFERENCE:
Breaking the Cycle:
Empowering Families, Protecting Futures

After several years as an outdoor instructor, I realised I wanted to work more closely with people in their own communities and over longer periods. So, I took the plunge, completed a postgraduate course, and became a qualified youth and community worker. Since then, I’ve spent over 25 years as a senior manager in the Cumbrian charity sector—and what a journey it’s been!

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For 15 of those years, I focused on supporting children and young people, setting up and managing local youth clubs, training staff and volunteers, and developing youth work programmes. I’ve always believed that giving young people the chance to connect with positive adult role models and engage in non-formal learning outside school can make a real difference—not just to them, but to the entire community. Helping local volunteers create safe, vibrant youth spaces has always been close to my heart.

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Since 2017, I’ve had the privilege of leading CADAS as CEO, turning my focus towards mental health, addiction, and lifestyle behaviours. It’s a deeply personal topic for me, and I’m proud to head an organisation that champions behavioural change, acceptance, and empowerment. Staying true to my commitment to community ownership and giving people a voice has been the cornerstone of my work—and it’s an absolute pleasure to be part of such impactful change.

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Leigh will be talking about how to reframe  our understanding of the Trio of Vulnerabilities.

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She will also be joined by the Family Support project team leader, Angi Milful and midwife, Hannah Pitchford to share the positive impact the project has had on West Cumbrian families.

 Helen is a Women's Health Champion and a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Advocate and trainer. She is a passionate researcher and completed a PhD by publication titled 'Building a case for a standardised antenatal alcohol screening programme in the UK'.

Helen's research is cited globally and includes the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network publication 156 - Children and young people exposed prenatally to alcohol (2019) and the national PHE document: Maternity high impact area: Reducing the incidence of harms caused by alcohol in pregnancy (2020). Helen has a keen interest in the alcohol agenda and addictions.

Helen is a cofounder of the UKFASD Research Collaboration. They are the leading experts in FASD and Prenatal alcohol Exposure in the UK, working to provide a coordinated national research strategy. This unique research journey has permitted Helen the privileged position of working with a network of FASD Birth Mothers and the wider FASD international community. 

Helen launched a FASD Task and Finish group which aims to establish a standardised and accessible FASD diagnostic service across Cumbria and the Northeast.

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Helen will be presenting her expertise on Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and addicted preganant women.

As a dedicated community and social care professional, Emma has spent her career advocating for equal opportunities and supporting those in need. Her passion for creating positive change in our communities has driven her to work tirelessly in various roles, including as a Community Impact Manager for BEC, most recently, as a Cumberland Councillor for the new unitary authority.

Throughout her career, Emma has worked collaboratively with a wide range of individuals and organisations, using her skills and expertise to create lasting change in our communities. Her approach is rooted in the belief that connections and collaboration are key to a successful future, and she has worked alongside individuals and groups who share this vision.

Emma's experience has taught her the importance of listening to and learning from others, and she is committed to using her voice and platform to amplify the voices of those who may not have the opportunity to be heard. She is described by friends and colleagues as a fireball of passion, energy, and integrity.  She will use this passion and dedication as a trustee of Cumbria Community Foundation to continuing working to supporting a better future for all.

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Emma will be discussing the impact of addiction on care-experienced children and the public purse.

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​Viv Evans OBE is the Chief Executive of  Adfam, a national charity supporting the loved ones of those struggling with drug and alcohol dependency.

She has a long history of senior positions in the public and charity sectors with  a  background in drug and alcohol education,  prevention and young people and families, and substance misuse policy and practice.

She is a former member of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) and chaired its working group on the implementation of the report of the inquiry into the children of problem drug users - Hidden Harm. 

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Viv will be talking about the impact of addiction on family and friends, and why addiction is a family disease.  Viv will be highlighting their latest national campaign, “The forgotten 5 million” which calls for recognition of, and support for, the five million people in the UK who live with someone suffering with addiction.

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Viv will be presenting via a video link, about the national landscape regarding families affected by addictions and gambling.