Active Travel Social Prescribing Pilot

Cumbria is one of 11 areas in England that are piloting the social prescribing of active travel for improving the health and wellbeing of communities. The pilot is trialling ways to help people into walking, wheeling and cycling for everyday journeys.

The pilot focuses on the areas of Barrow-in-Furness and Carlisle. These areas were chosen because they have the biggest differences in health and move the least.

Supported by Government investment until October 2026, the programme, called ‘Travel Actively’, is offering a range of initiatives to help people to get past problems, improve skills and their confidence in travelling actively for everyday journeys. This will result in more people travelling by walking, wheeling and cycling and people adopting a more active lifestyle.

Travel Actively work with a wide range of local businesses and people who help:

  • Older adults (60 years old and older)
  • People with a disability or with long-term health condition(s)
  • People from poorest communities
  • People from ethnically diverse backgrounds
  • Children and young people
  • People socially prescribed or signposted
A group of people walking along a path

Social prescribing is a way to help people find activities and groups in their community that can make them feel happier and healthier. Doctors or other helpers can recommend these activities to people who might benefit from them. The goal is to give people more control over their own health by connecting them with things they enjoy and that are good for them.

What we have achieved

The Travel Actively programme started in 2023. Take a look at all the things we have managed to achieve through the programme so far (updated December 2025).

Walk leaders in Hi-Vis vests

Volunteers trained

We have trained 209 volunteers to support the programme including 38 cycle ride leaders, 110 walk leaders and 61 cycle mechanics.

A man stood outdoors fixing a bike accompanied by a young female

Engaged with cycling

We have engaged 3114 people in cycling activities. This has included undertaking cycling confidence sessions, led cycle rides and fixing and providing bikes for free.

A male adult walking outdoors wearing a high-vis jacket followed by a group of mixed adults

Engaged with walking

We have engaged 5407 people in walking activities. This has included facilitating 414 led walks in the Carlisle and Barrow areas.

A group of young adults outdoors on adapted bikes

Engaged with wheeling

We have engaged 678 people in wheeling activities. This has included facilitating leader led events in the Carlisle and Barrow areas.