Cumbria Health Bus Sponsorship
PPM has actively supported the launch of an innovative new initiative to promote healthy living for Cumbria residents via the Carlisle Leisure Activate ‘on the move’ Bus. The scheme brings sports coaching staff and health activities to the doorsteps of local communities and schools across Carlisle and Allerdale.
The bus features gym equipment and a GP consultation room, with various other sports equipment being stored for use in schools, community centres and village halls. The bus allows hundreds of people across Cumbria to access activity and exercise programmes, as well as free health checks, which they would not usually be able to access. By bringing it right to people’s doorsteps, especially in more isolated rural communities, the key aim is to increase the health and well-being of local people.
Since the bus was launched in the Autumn of 2014 (pictured opposite with the PPM Mascot, Wendy the House Doctor!) we have provided sponsorship to take the bus directly into Your Housing Group communities, for 6 days a month. The key objective has been to encourage Your Housing residents, especially youngsters, to get involved and take a more active interest in physical exercise.
Various activities have been run from the bus including stop smoking services, health checks and GP referrals, sports sessions and fitness / wellbeing sessions. We have worked with Your Housing to identify the communities with the lowest participation levels who struggle to access leisure centres, with a particular focus on targeting deprived areas and specific housing estates.