Helping rebuild the lives of those affected by flooding is at the heart of a Carlisle initiative which will see people give their skills and time to make a difference.

Passionate volunteers have already been out in the city helping victims of Storm Desmond, ahead of a concerted week-long effort next month.

Between June 5 and 12, people will be out and about to make improvements to flood hit areas of the city as part of the return of Give a Day to the City.

The initiative, which launched as a successful pilot last year, is now aiming to renovate three flood-hit homes and help clear up the Sheepmount Athletics Stadium.

The House to Home team have already set to work in Corporation Road, where they ripped out Jem Gomersall’s downstairs bathroom, which was left under 8ft of water during December’s floods.

Project manager Melanie Taylor, of HR company M Taylor Associates, wanted to give something back. 

The 43-year-old, who is involved in Carlisle Ambassadors, met Jem the week after the floods when she volunteered at Greystone Community Centre.

“People I’ve spoken to have either said they thought everybody was back at home now, or at most that they might be living somewhere else being paid for by their insurance,” she said. 

“It was a shock to me that people are actually living back in these houses. They’re having to have their windows open so it’s cold. It’s a real eye-opener.”

Jem moved back four weeks ago to his home of 15 years, even though it has no carpets or kitchen.

The 72-year-old, who is camping upstairs, is glad to be back and said it’s a comfort to know people are there and want to help.

“It’s just tremendous,” he said. “The support and help they’ve given has been amazing. I’m grateful for any help people give. They’re brilliant.”

In 2015 Give a Day to the City saw about 250 volunteers give their skills, services and time to build an access route to the River Eden at the back of The Sands Centre, transform a derelict and overgrown site in Harraby, and improve the outside area at the Water Street family hostel.

Andy Fearon, of Carlisle Vineyard Church, who founded the initiative, felt it was important this time round to help people who, six months on, are still not back on track. 

He said: “We live in the most generous city and Carlisle responded incredibly well.

“We want to let people know they haven’t been forgotten. We’re saying to the city ‘whatever’s in your hand, whatever you’re good at whatever your trade is, would you give it away?’ When we all come together we can do something really special together.”

Volunteers from Eco Tech Systems, Cito Cleaning, Thomas Graham, Carlisle Youth Zone, Carlisle Vineyard Church, Carlisle Ambassadors, Bruce and Luke’s Coffee, Carlisle City Council, Brampton Skip Hire, Kingmoor Consultants and many more will be helping to improve areas ruined in the floods.