A LOCAL charity has been celebrating older people in the community at Carlisle's Lanes Shopping Centre.

Age UK Carlisle and Eden age-friendly coordinator, Joanne Rayson, arranged a collaboration of agencies, all having older residents at their core to celebrate International Day of Older Persons. 

Highlights included heartfelt portraits from Norman Street Primary School's reception class illustrating grandparents. 

Other contributions came from several organisations like Alzheimer’s Adviser, Carlisle Foodbank, Carlisle and Eden Carers, Travel Active, We Can, Currock House Community Centre, Shop Mobility. 

The purpose of the gathering was to ensure that seniors are aware of the services available to them, especially with winter approaching.

A complimentary raffle featuring a signed CUFC ball added an exciting touch to the day.

"Today was an opportunity to celebrate the older people in our community," Joanne said. 

"As age-friendly coordinator here at Age UK Carlisle and Eden, I wanted to bring together some of our local partners to make sure that our older generation in Carlisle knew what was available to them and where they could get advice from, especially with winter around the corner.

"Today was probably the windiest and wettest day we could have picked but our welcome was warm to all our visitors." 

Joanne thanked the Lanes Shopping Centre staff and management for helping orchestrate the event.