A Cumbrian charity is excited to launch four new wellbeing groups in Carlisle after receiving funding from the national lottery. 

We Can Cumbria is part of the iCan Cumbria Wellbeing Group, a health and wellbeing social support charity that aims to support the Cumbrian community to break down their fitness and wellbeing barriers from I can’t to iCan.

On Tuesday, February 13, We Can confirmed on social media that it would be setting up four new groups in Carlisle, based on feedback they had received from the community.

We Can wrote: "We are so excited to announce that we have been successful in securing some funding from The National Lottery Community Fund to enable us to launch these four new regular groups!

"These groups have been developed with feedback directly from you our wellbeing community so we hope you’re just as excited as we are.

"Groups will be expected to start in April. We are encouraging those that would be potential new members of these groups to get in touch now if they would like to be part of the planning."

Speaking to the News & Star,  WeCan wellbeing co-ordinator and development manager, Jenna Sutherland, said: "It's great news. We want opportunities to talk with our traditional support groups but want to complement that with fun new things. There are lots of people who perhaps wouldn't go to a meditation class if it was something they had to pay for, so if we can provide that it can be a new way for people to improve their wellbeing."

The four new groups will include a persistent pain support group, a women's support group, Ikigai (finding your purpose) and art for wellbeing.

Jenna added: "These groups have come off the back of the feedback we've received. A lot of the issues people are facing are around mental health and if you can support someone who is suffering from depression to find their purpose, what lights the fire within them, it can really help to turn their life around."

Anyone interested in attending these new groups can register their interest on the WeCan website.