Since reopening after the pandemic, membership of the council’s sports and leisure facilities has jumped by 279%, growing from just over 12,000 in 2021 to more than 45,000 in 2025.

It’s part of a co-ordinated approach between the council and NHS Lanarkshire to tackle the area’s significant health challenges, explains Councillor Jim Reddin, vice-convener of the communities committee.

“Healthy life expectancy and rising reports of poor mental health, the response from local services is making a real difference," he said.

“It’s great to see that more people than ever getting involved in the wide range of programmes available and taking strong steps toward a healthier future.”

Targeted programmes have played a key role in this success:

• The Active 60 scheme, offering discounted gym access for over-60s, has seen membership grow by 666%, with nearly 10,000 older adults now actively involved.
• The Active Teen programme, which started as a free initiative and now costs just £6 a month, now has more than 2,800 active members.
• In the past year alone, over 30,000 fitness sessions were delivered, attracting more than 418,000 attendances. Local gyms also provide on average 600 personalised health assessments each week.

Specialist health support is also expanding. The Active Health programme, run in partnership with NHS Lanarkshire, now helps people with a wide range of conditions including cancer, stroke, heart disease, and dementia. Support has grown from 3,254 people in 2021 to 8,400 in 2025.

In addition, the Weigh to Go programme, run with Lanarkshire Weight Management Services, helps people tackle obesity and manage diabetes. It has grown significantly, increasing from 11 to 26 courses, and now supports even more residents with weight-related health issues.

And a new health initiative launched in 2024/25 is helping hundreds of North Lanarkshire residents access specialist care more easily.

Musculo-Skeletal (MSK) Community Appointment Days are being delivered in partnership with NHS Lanarkshire’s Allied Health Professionals Team, at local sports centres.

These events allow people with joint, muscle, or bone problems to get expert support in a familiar, community setting.

Each event can accommodate over 500 patients, and three sessions held during the year attracted more than 1,200 people.

This approach is helping reduce pressure on traditional healthcare settings while making it easier for residents to get the help they need closer to home.

Meanwhile, the Community Sports Hub, funded by sportscotland, is helping previously inactive groups get moving again. It now works with 11 groups and 24 partner organisations to create new opportunities for physical activity.

Councillor Reddin added: “North Lanarkshire faces real health challenges, including an ageing population and rising reports of poor physical and mental health.

“But we are determined to do all we can to support our communities and by working together with our partners, our Active & Creative Communities team are making excellent progress.

“Participation in fitness programmes has grown significantly, with thousands more residents getting active and accessing support. These efforts are helping to improve wellbeing across the community and proves that positive change is happening.”