How you can help.
There are several ways to support the campaign to keep open Grisedale Croft and to make the case for Alston Moor's place in the new Neighbourhood Health Plan. Every signal of support helps — and one in particular makes the strongest case of all.
Respond to the consultation.
Westmorland and Furness Council's twelve-week public consultation on the future of Grisedale Croft closes on Wednesday 5 August 2026. Alston Moor Parish Council, working with local residents, has produced a short leaflet explaining the five options the Council is putting forward and showing what to write in the comments box.
The leaflet is being delivered to every household on the Moor and will be available alongside the Council's official consultation booklets at the usual collection points. You can also download a copy here, and respond to the consultation online.
Tell us what you heard.
Westmorland and Furness Council is holding drop-in sessions across the Moor during the consultation. If you went along, the Working Group is gathering an accurate record of what residents saw, what they asked, and what they were told in reply — including photos if you took any.
It takes a few minutes. Everything is held confidentially by Alston Moor Parish Council, only the Working Group sees it, and nothing is published without your consent. The more accounts gathered, the clearer the picture of what residents are actually being told.
Stay in touch.
The quickest way to follow the campaign is to join the mailing list. We send short updates as the consultation progresses, when public meetings are scheduled, and when there are practical things you can do to help. We do not share your details and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Share your family's experience.
If you, or someone you know, needed residential, nursing, respite, or rehabilitation care on Alston Moor in recent years — whether or not the person ended up at Grisedale Croft — the Parish Council needs to hear from you.
Westmorland and Furness Council has framed the consultation around the home's current low occupancy. The case the Parish Council is making is that occupancy is low because people who needed those beds were placed elsewhere, or did not have a placement found at all. Each individual account helps demonstrate that real need.
Most questions on the form are optional — even partial information is useful. Names can be withheld. The information will be held by Alston Moor Parish Council and used only for the campaign to keep Grisedale Croft open. If recalling the events is difficult, please answer only what feels comfortable.
The form is hosted by Google Forms and takes around five to ten minutes. Open the form in a new window → if you would prefer not to fill it in below.
Prefer paper? Download a printable version of the form (PDF) → Completed forms can be returned to Alston Town Hall, or handed in at any of the three Post Offices on Alston Moor. Please mark the envelope or completed form “Grisedale Croft evidence — confidential”.
Spread the word.
Word of mouth is one of the strongest things we have. If you know people on the Moor — or with family on the Moor — please pass on the address of this site and a short note about what is happening.
A short note you can use:
Westmorland and Furness Council is opening a twelve-week consultation on the future of Grisedale Croft, the only residential care home on Alston Moor. Alston Moor Parish Council has formally adopted its position and is preparing the response. You can read more and subscribe to updates at alstonmoorhealth.org.
Letters carry weight.
Letters from residents — short, personal, and in your own words — carry real weight in a consultation. Westmorland and Furness Council is the decision-maker. Below are the contacts most directly involved.
Ward councillors for Alston and Fellside
- Cllr Mary Robinson — Independent / Green Group leader. mary.robinson@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
- Cllr Michael Hanley — also serves on Alston Moor Parish Council. michael.hanley@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
Cabinet and Scrutiny
- Cllr Patricia Bell — Cabinet Member for Adult Care; political lead on the consultation. patricia.bell@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
- Cllr Dyan Jones — Chair of the Health and Adults Scrutiny Committee. dyan.jones@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
- Cllr Jonathan Brook — Leader of Westmorland and Furness Council and Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board. jonathan.brook@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
Member of Parliament
- Markus Campbell-Savours MP — Penrith and Solway. markus.campbellsavours.mp@parliament.uk · campbellsavours.uk
What to write about. The two strongest points to make in your own words are: that displacement of frail residents away from Alston Moor would cause real harm — long winter journeys, fewer family visits, end-of-life care away from home; and that the 2018 NHS commitment, made when the in-patient beds at the Ruth Lancaster James Cottage Hospital were closed, was that residential beds at Grisedale Croft would be used for intermediate care. That commitment is on the public record. The Council and the NHS should honour it together.
Come along in person.
Alston Moor Parish Council has authorised public meetings in Alston, Garrigill, and Nenthead as part of the consultation response.
Dates and venues will be announced here as soon as they are confirmed. Subscribe to updates above to be notified.
