Money is available to fund outdoor health and wellbeing activities.

The money comes from the Northeast and North Cumbria ICB which has established the Green Social Prescribing Fund, managed by Cumbria Community Foundation.

Grants of up to £5k are available to charitable organisations in North Cumbria to provide nature-based activities that can help people improve their health and well-being.

According to Cumbria Community Foundation, activities could be anything from local walking groups, community garden projects, and talking and exercise therapies.

Projects that target specific groups of people will be prioritised, such as those with chronic health conditions like cancer, respiratory issues, and hypertension.

Other groups include ethnically diverse people, refugees, LGBTQ people or people from the gypsy, Romaine, and traveller communities.

Groundwork Northeast and Cumbia is supporting charitable groups to develop their projects and improve networks and referral pathways with what they call ‘social prescribing connector teams’.

Craig Drummond, employment programmes manager at Groundwork, said: “This programme is designed to bring those together who socially prescribe with those who deliver nature-based solutions across Cumbria.

“Specifically, underserved populations in North Cumbria that are at risk of experiencing health inequalities, to improve their mental well-being and overall health.

“There is consistent evidence that engagement with nature is beneficial in terms of physical activity and increased mental well-being.

“This programme will bring together those who refer in and those who deliver green and blue social prescribing services, as well as identifying current gaps and barriers to access existing provision and taking positive action to overcome those.”

Sarah Thompson, grants and programmes officer at Cumbria Community Foundation, said: “We are fortunate to have access to some world-renowned green and blue spaces in Cumbria and we are delighted to be working in partnership to improve health and well-being, mental health and ensure those at risk of experiencing health inequalities have equal access to nature-based therapies and activities.”

To apply, or for more information, visit www.cumbriafoundation.org/fund/nhs-green-social-prescribing-development-fund or call Sarah Thompson on 01900 825760 or email sarah@cumbriafoundation.org.

READ MORE: Bus fares capped at £2 in a bid to help people save money