iCan Wellbeing group CIO is passionate about helping people break down fitness and wellbeing barriers from I can’t to iCan!
Empowering our community to live healthier, happier lifestyles long-term.
Our journey started in 2007 when our founders opened the first female fitness facility in Cumbria, in Carlisle- a franchise called Curves. They then opened the second in Workington in 2009.
Our founders battled to keep the franchise(s) open through two recessions, they decided to sell Curves Workington to the centre manager and focus efforts on Carlisle, however our centre was devastated by the floods of Storm Desmond in 2015 when we lost EVERYTHING!
It was this that changed everything for iCan… our community swarmed together with comments about “how we can’t close… how it was their lifeline…. how it was their community home…” and we listened! We listened to what they wanted and needed and we haven’t stopped listening since.
In 2017 we formed as a CIC (not for profit organisation) and in 2023 we converted to a registered charity (CIO). We have made this decision so that the organisation can grow, thrive and belong to the community forever!
We now have a fitness and wellness centre in Carlisle city centre and offer a vast variety of exercise, wellness and community programmes across Cumbria through our outreach efforts.
In 2024 so far we have:
- We have worked with 5517 people across Cumbria. Broken down into:
-557 in our WeCan wellness service
-676 in our outreach services including WOW and Mid Copeland programme
-3731 in our fitness services including outreach
-573 children
- We have given 16781 contact hours of support from our team of lived experienced coaches and volunteers.
- Delivered 606 different sessions or classes!
For those that find numbers interesting- we have a Social Return On Investment (SROI) valuation of £6.12:1.
That means for every £1 invested into iCan we convert that £1 to £6.12 worth of support for local people. Turning a £100 in investment into £612!
So…. Come and be part of our iCan family, and the leading wellbeing organisation in Cumbria!
In the News
Winners of the 2020 Active Cumbria Awards for Best Health and Wellbeing Centre of Incentive
Winners of the Cumbria Social Enterprise Awards Entreprenuer of the Year. Julia Clifford 2018 and Lisa Dykes 2019 and runner up Social Entrepreneur of the year 2022.
Did you know that whenever you buy anything online – from your weekly shop to your annual holiday – you could be raising free donations for iCan Health & Fitness CIC with easyfundraising?
There are over 6,000 shops and sites on board ready to make a donation – including eBay, Argos, John Lewis, ASOS, Booking.com and M&S – and it won’t cost you a penny extra to help us raise funds.
All you need to do is:
1. Go to https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/icanhealth/?utm_campaign=raise-more and join for free.
2. Every time you shop online, go to easyfundraising first to find the site you want and start shopping.
3. After you’ve checked out, the retailer will make a donation to iCan Health & Fitness CIC at no extra cost to you whatsoever!
There are no catches or hidden charges and iCan Health & Fitness CIC will be really grateful for your donations.Thank you for your support.