SEXUAL ORIENTATION Diversity in Carlisle is also reflected in statistics regarding sexual orientation. In Carlisle, residents aged 16 and above identified as 90.8% Straight or Heterosexual. 2.7% identified as either Gay or Lesbian, Bisexual, Pansexual, or All Other Sexual Orientations. 6.5% provided no answer. In relation to Gender Identity, 94.6% of residents aged 16 and above identified as having the same Gender Identity as sex registered at birth. 0.2% identified as Gender Identity different from sex registered at birth but no specific identify given. 0.1% identified as Trans women, 0.1% as Trans men and 0.1% as Non-binary. 5% provided no answer.30 Several organisations including Outreach Cumbria31, LGBThq32, Sticky Bits C.I.C33 and Cumbria Pride34 actively celebrate and support the LGBTQ+ community, playing an important role in fostering inclusion and advocating for equality. These organisations deliver regular celebratory events,35 provide safe spaces for the LGBTQ+ community and offer support services to empower individuals to express their identity freely and navigate personal and social challenges. Predictions indicate that the number of individuals identifying as LGBTQ+, particularly among younger age groups and those needing support with transitioning, is expected to rise. This growth will likely place increased pressures on voluntary and community groups, as well as statutory services, to meet the evolving needs of the LGBTQ+ community.36 Carlisle as a place is becoming more diverse, and I think it is better for it. Once you've got children who grow up in a more diverse place then it becomes a much more naturally diverse place. Charity Trustee Demand for our mental health services from young people is increasing. We’re seeing more young people who have issues relating to being transgender that they need support with. Voluntary Sector Representative DIGITALLY CONNECTED COMMUNITIES During the global pandemic, digital technology proved to be a crucial lifeline. Post-pandemic, a continued reliance on digital platforms has, however, highlighted a digital divide where disparities exist between those who have access to suitable digital equipment and internet connectivity and those who do not.37 This digital gap disproportionately affects individuals in rural or low-income areas, older populations, and people with disabilities, making access to services such as healthcare, education, and social support difficult.38 Today, organisations including Currock and Yewdale Community Centres are working to address these challenges through the delivery of training and advice, including guidance relating to online fraud, which is estimated to have cost Cumbria £10.3m, reported in 2,354 cases.39 17For Multicultural Cumbria see https://multiculturalcumbria.org.uk/ 18https://www.carlisleunited.co.uk/news/2024/april/edi-united-hosts-first-ever-iftar-to-celebrate-ramadan 19Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Cumbria: Health Needs Assessment: Cumberland Council, 2023. 20Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Cumbria: Health Needs Assessment: Cumberland Council, 2023. 21The next highest was Allerdale with 15%. 22Anti Racist Cumbria, 2023: https://antiracistcumbria.org. See also https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crg0e23m47lo 23Hate Crime England and Wales: Appendix Tables; Home Office, 2024 https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/670628b5e84ae1fd8592f01b/hate-crime-england-and-wales-2023to-2024-appendix-tables.ods 24Zayed.Y, & Allen. G, House of Commons Library Research report, Hate Crime statistics, 2024, https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-8537/ 25Carlisle One World Centre https://cowc.org.uk/ 26Carlisle Refugee Action Group https://www.crag.uk.com/ 27PERN https://www.penrithandedenrefugeenetwork.org/ 28Anti Racist Cumbria https://antiracistcumbria.org/ 29Multicultural Cumbria https://multiculturalcumbria.org.uk/ 30Census Area Profile - Carlisle Local Authority, Northwest Region and England Country, 2021 www.nomisweb.co.uk/sources/census_2021/report?compare=E07000028#section_8 31Outreach Cumbria https://www.outreachcumbria.co.uk/ 32LGBThq https://www.lgbthq.org.uk/ 33Sticky Bits C.I.C https://www.stickybitscafe.co.uk/ 34Cumbria Pride https://www.cumbriapride.org/ 35See example event at https://www.cumbriapride.org/pride2024 36Family Wellbeing Data Analysis Summary: Cumberland Council, 2024. 37https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/householdcharacteristics/homeinternetandsocialmediausage/articles/exploringtheuksdigitaldivide/2019-03-04 38Disability Voices -Digital Divide Report: Healthwatch Cumberland, 2023. 39Cumberland Building Society using statistics from the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau, 2023. Carlisle Matters Over the last couple of years, Carlisle Matters has become a leading advocate in the city for bringing communities together, providing a platform for the community to connect in a fun way with both third sector and statutory services. In May 2024, Carlisle Matters organised Show and Tell, an event that gathered 40 organisations including the emergency services and charitable organisations at Bitts Park alongside bouncy castles, live music and other attractions. The event was a huge success with over 4,500 people attending. Helen Fisher, Director of Carlisle Matters, said: “People who may not otherwise have engaged with the police or with mental health services did so on that day as we created a fun and relaxed environment. It was such a success that we will be running it again this year and hope to make it an annual event.” Other events have been organised, many of them supported by The Lanes Shopping Centre including a school uniform pop up swap shop in summer 2024, and a Winter Resilience week, both in empty retail units. Groups such as Age UK and NHS mental health services were on hand to give advice, along with Carlisle Food Bank who displayed baskets with ingredients and recipe cards for vegetable soup and chilli which they made up so people could taste them. Helen said: “When they go to our Affordable Food Pantry, younger people tend to go for the convenience food and bypass the fresh vegetables. By making up the recipes and showing how easy and tasty they are, we could show how simple and affordable it is to make nutritious food.” The Lanes have also supported Carlisle Matters Yarn Bombers group. It started with half a dozen knitters meeting on a Wednesday morning at Botcherby Community Centre but went viral on social media early in 2024. Around 150 people made pom poms and crocheted panels with knitted bees and butterflies attached that were wrapped round trees in Bitts Park. They went on to make a knitted poppy display in The Lanes in November. Helen said: “We hope to develop a Yarn Bomb trail or a festival in Carlisle in the coming years and encourage even more people to join in.” CASE STUDY It was amazing how people came together as a community in a creative way. It gave housebound people a purpose and brought joy to many people. Carlisle: Opportunities & Challenges 2025 70 71
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