Cumbernauld Local Outcome Improvement Plan highlights 2025/26

Active NL Teen Membership was introduced in March 2023 acknowledging the lack of opportunity for teens to get active across North Lanarkshire. 

The initiative was designed with a very low membership cost to make Active NL facilities accessible for both teens but also families on low income. Utilising the facilities to attract teenagers from the local community to come in and get active in a safe and supported environment also presented the opportunity to have impact on low activity levels within this age group.

Active Teen offers gym membership for 11 to 15-year-olds for £5 per month. This was initially launched in in September 2021 as a free programme running until March 2023 as a funded initiative. 

This initiative was designed to encourage participation in this age group and familiarise young people with health and fitness as well as the gym environment in order to foster healthy habits into adulthood. Due to the positive impact on participation in this age group, the initiative was converted to an affordable paid model in April 2023 and to date has 2764 active members

Directly linking to youth engagement and consultation LOIP the introduction of the Active Teen membership has produced an increase of over 2500 teenagers across North Lanarkshire Council engaging and participating in activity. 

Fostering key relationships with local fitness staff the scheme has allowed a unique opportunity to tackle anti-social behaviour by allowing a safe accessible place than teenagers within the area can access. It has also allowed for an environment to be created where Active NL staff can get a true understanding of the barriers to health and exercise and in turn devise projects and programmes that continue to impact on this issue within this age group. 

Linking in with local high schools the scheme has been built based on the feedback of an issue which was highlighted within the local community, having the diversity and adaptability to devise a solution quickly which h could be implemented and have instant impact.