Five more programmes of arts, creativity and nature inspired taster activity will be delivered across the Carlisle area this spring as part of the ‘Inside Out’ programme.
Thriving Communities Carlisle, a local partnership using social, arts, culture and nature-based activity to promote health and wellbeing is partnering with community venues to deliver these programmes. The project is supported by the national Thriving Communities Fund, which aims to improve and increase social prescribing community activities. A grant from Cumbria Community Foundation has allowed the extension and expansion of the project to offer the ‘Inside Out’ programme to more people this year.
Inside Out is a 6-week programme of taster activities, designed to help people “get out and about” and engage with things happening in their community. Each week a different local organisation or practitioner brings an activity to try out. At the end of the programme, participants will be signposted to long-term opportunities in the community depending on what they enjoy.
Four programmes have already been delivered. Based on a social prescribing model, activities have ranged from gardening to drumming, and crafts to dance. Following participation on the programme, past participants have moved on to join local groups, take up volunteering opportunities and even set-up their own new group.
Find your local programme:
- Currock Community Centre – Thursdays 1.30-3.30pm – starting 31 March
- Belah Community Centre – Fridays, 2-4pm – starting 8 April
- Brampton Community Centre – Tuesdays, 2-4pm – starting 12 April
- Gosling Sike, Houghton – Thursdays, 2-4pm – starting 21 April
- The Lookout, Raffles – Fridays, 2 – 4pm – starting 22 April
Programmes are open to all adults, particularly those who may be feeling lonely or isolated and are looking to connect with new people and activity in their own community. Participants do not need to be referred and can fill in a simple sign-up form online or by popping into their local venue. More information and the sign-up link can be found at www.tulliehouse.co.uk/TCC. Timetables for each programme will be released in advance of their start.
A previous participant on the programme said: “I loved it. I really enjoyed joining in with the group and meeting new people. I wouldn’t change anything.” Another encouraged others to sign up, saying: “it’s not so scary doing something with new people.”
Stacey Kelton, Care Coordinator with Carlisle Healthcare who has supported facilitation of the programmes said: ‘We know the first time is always nerve wracking, but each week you see friendships beginning to form and people’s personalities shining through. It is a very enjoyable 6-week programme.’
Sarah Rodway-Swanson, Thriving Communities Project Coordinator, said: ‘My favourite thing about working on this project is the diversity of organisations and activities we are bringing together. I’m really excited to invite participants onto this next series of programmes, where we’ve got some brilliant new activities planned.”
‘Thriving Communities’ local partners include Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery, Carlisle City Council, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, Prism Arts, Susie Tate Projects, NCIC and Carlisle Healthcare.
Inside Out is supported by the Thriving Communities Fund which has been made possible thanks to funding from the National Academy for Social Prescribing, Arts Council England, Natural England and Historic England, with support from NHS England and NHS Improvement, Sport England, the Office for Civil Society, the Money & Pensions Service and NHS Charities Together. Inside Out has further been supported by Cumbria Community Foundation through a grant to expand and extend delivery.
