Sports, Health and Wellbeing

Carlisle Campus Sports located in Harraby offers 3G sports pitches, indoor and outdoor courts available for training purposes or matches for sports such as Football, Rugby, American, Football, Basketball, Badminton and Netball.Also available on the campus is the Carlisle Cycle Circuit, a purpose built 1km tarmac circuit which is ideal for training and Racing purposes. It is suitable for all users and in an enclosed safe environment.

The Sands Leisure Centre: please note that all activities have been temporarily located to the former Newman School.

Leisure centres in Carlisle

As well as Carlisle Campus Sports and The Sands Centre, The Better group also run a number of sports facilities within Carlisle

The following Community Centres within the City and District have gym facilities within their centres:

Botcherby Community Gym, 01228 596992

Brampton Community Centre Gym, 016977 45023

Longtown Community Centre, 01228 791876

The Leisure Suite at Morton Community Centre, 01228 531105

Please contact the centres directly for further information.

Football pitiches. The Sheepmount is home to adult grass football pitches, junior grass football pitches, mini grass football pitches. To book these, please contact GLL on 01228 591241.

Other Football pitches (not at The Sheepmount) can be booked by contacting the Green spaces Team on 01228 817200 or e-mail [email protected]

Regular exercise is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Additionally communities which participate in sport and recreation develop strong social bonds.Sport and recreation builds stronger, healthier, happier and safer communities.

As well as the physical benefits of participating in sport, playing sport can positively affect your mental health by improving your mood and concentration, reduce stress and depression and boost your self confidence.Sport can also help you develop a range of skills such as teamwork, leadership skills and respect.There is so much to gain!! Details of the sports clubs and activities available within our area, for both adults and children, can be found by searching Active Cumbria’s Activity Finder.  There is everything from Angling to Water Polo! Have a look and why not challenge yourself to try something new.

Further information on the work of Active Cumbria can be found via their website.

Carlisle City Council owns and maintains 

40 children’s play areas and five outdoor exercise areas across the city. Six multi-use games areas (MUGAs), five games walls (football goal/rebound wall and basketball hoop on hard surfacing) and Devonshire Walk Skate Park are also managed by the authority. All are free to use and open to access 24 hours a day, seven days a week, MUGAs are floodlit during evenings in the winter months.

Use the Green Space map search to find your local active space

“Walking can make us happier and healthier by providing a chance to get some head space and connect with nature. It is a great way to help us get moving while exploring our local communities.”

Mike Diaper, Executive Director Children, Young People and Tackling Inactivity, Sport England

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of access to the outdoors, staying active and the well being benefits of walking.  To support our local communities achieve this we continue to deliver our successful programme of health walks both within the city and across our beautiful district.  In partnership with the Ramblers Association a programme of Wellness Walks are now available, as lock down restrictions are eased.Wellness Walks are friendly short group walks within our local area, all walks are led by trained walk leaders.  

Walking for Health Winter Programme 2021-2022

In line with Government guidelines and advice from the Ramblers we are limiting the number attending each walk to 30 people. To ensure that numbers attending each walk do not exceed 30 people your place on each walk must now be booked prior to attending. You can reserve a place on any of the walks by contacting or texting me on 07935001511 or by emailing [email protected]. Should you reserve a place on a particular walk but find that your circumstances change and you are no longer able to attend, please let me know as soon as possible.

Although we will be walking on good paths please wear suitable footwear and clothing for the conditions. You may wish to being your own alcohol-based hand sanitiser to the walk as well as a face covering, although the wearing of facemasks is not mandatory. If you have any COVID-19 symptoms prior to the walk please do not attend. Here is some information on taking part in COVID-safe walks.  Ramblers restart for walkers

The more experienced walker may wish to try our Tuesday Trundle walks which are more challenging, longer, with varying gradient and surfaces.  A programme for the 2021 winter walks is available below.

Tuesday Trundle Winter Programme 2022

For more information on our walking programme or to volunteer as a walk leader please email [email protected] or contact the Healthy City Team on 01228 817200.

If you would like to take yourself on a wellness walk, the Doorstep Walks give you all the information you will need to enjoy stretching your legs.

What is social prescribing?

Social prescribing supports people’s needs in a holistic way, by recognising that people’s health and wellbeing are determined by a range of social, economic and environmental factors. It also aims to support individuals to take greater control of their own health. 

Social prescribing is designed to support people with a wide range of social, emotional or practical needs, and many schemes are focused on improving mental health and physical wellbeing. Those who could benefit from social prescribing schemes include people with mild or long-term mental health problems, people with complex needs, people who are socially isolated and those with multiple long-term conditions who frequently attend either primary or secondary health care.

Schemes delivering social prescribing can involve a range of activities that are typically provided by voluntary and community sector organisations. Examples include volunteering, arts activities, group learning, gardening, befriending, cookery, healthy eating advice and a range of sports. 

Social Prescribing opportunities are available within Carlisle:

•Rachel Murdie, Social Prescribing Lead, Carlisle Healthcare

I work with people 18 years and over who are registered with the surgery, supporting them to find ways of improving their own health and wellbeing by linking into local community groups and supports. I also work with local community groups to promote their services and develop new services to meet people’s needs.

Please contact the surgery if you would like further information 01228 588121

•Lindsey Kerr, Social Wellbeing Co-ordinator for Carlisle Network PCN

Carlisle Network offer Social Prescribing to all adults within the PCN (Primary Care Network). We cover Fusehill Medical Practice, Spencer Street Surgery, Warwick Road Surgery, Eden Medical Group & Warwick Square (Grosvenor House Surgery). The Social Wellbeing Team work with a holistic outlook and can support patients who are struggling with isolation, loneliness and actively encourage linking with the local community for better physical and mental wellbeing. To find out more, please ask your GP surgery or contact Lindsey Kerr, Social Wellbeing Co-ordinator for Carlisle Network PCN on 07923 139 480. Or email [email protected]

The hiking household http://www.thehikinghousehold.com  -  an all ability resource to help aid families get outside more. The website provides a great resource for families to access local outside areas - particularly walks.  Information on a free walking group within Carlisle for families of all abilities, Tikes Hikes can also be found on the website.

Family action Working with families within Carlisle to strengthen families and communities, build skills and resilience and improve the life chances of children and adults.

Health and wellbeing coaches  The Health and Wellbeing Coaches work with anyone over the age of 16, who want to make positive changes to their life and to improve overall health and wellbeing.

Public health in Cumbria