Carlisle: Opportunities and Challenges was commissioned by Cumbria Community Foundation and published in 2025, the fourth in a series of needs reports for the county.

It examines social needs and community issues in Carlisle and the surrounding rural areas, showcasing work already being undertaken to address disadvantage and identifying opportunities to help communities thrive.

The report highlights major investment in the area, including projects such as St Cuthbert’s Garden Village, the Pears Cumbria School of Medicine and improvements to Carlisle Station. It also reports a thriving tourism industry, with more than 7,000 people working in the sector, serving almost 8 million visitors each year.

The report also shines a light on some of the issues yet to be addressed including:

• Mental health – there is unprecedented demand for services for people of all ages, leading to ever growing waiting lists
• Poverty – Carlisle has the most households (8,976) on Universal Credit in Cumbria and this number is rising.
• Ageing population – there are rising rates of dementia among older adults with many expressing concern about availability of support services and the ongoing impact on their carers.

Kevin Walsh, Vice Chair of Cumbria Community Foundation, led the steering group made up of local people who worked on the report to ensure it reflected the needs and priorities of the Carlisle area.

He said: “This report has captured the views and voices of hundreds of local people, all deeply committed to where they live, and combined it with the most up-to-date statistics.

“The report highlights the challenges facing our communities and the opportunities to make a difference. Carlisle has much to offer, it has a diverse economy, is well placed on the national transport network, good schools, a growing educational offer, hardworking people, a beautiful setting, deep and fascinating history, a diverse mix of community groups and charities and a great sense of community.

“However, sitting alongside this is growing poverty, alarming increases in mental ill health and major differences in life expectancy, low pay, increased risks of flooding linked to climate change, an ageing population and a charity sector under great strain as it seeks to respond to these issues.

“It is my belief that this report can be a catalyst for our local leaders, communities and organisations to consider how to work together even more effectively – to help build on our opportunities and address our challenges.”

The report covers topics including employment and skills, health and wellbeing, and ageing well, and is based on extensive independent research and interviews across all sections of society in Carlisle and the surrounding area.

In additionally, more than 400 people completed a survey giving their views on life in Carlisle, with the results also feeding into the report. The survey results can be read in this appendix to the report.