The morning of Tuesday, January 9 marked the first of many upcoming 'Warm Spots' events at Carlisle's Old Town Hall. 

Hosted by Age UK Carlisle and Eden, the event saw local companies, people and even the local community police officer stop by for tea, coffee and biscuits in the heart of the border city. 

Warm Spots is a joint project led by Cumberland Council, ACT Cumbria, CTI Cumbria Cumbria Foundation and Cumbria CVS that encourages and supports local organisations to open their doors to people in need of warmth and help during the cost of living crisis.

Joanne Rayson, client support officer at Age UK, was hopeful that these 'Warm Spots' events will prove popular as they continue to run over the next 11 weeks.

She said: "The aim of these events is to bring the community together and to show them some of the services that they perhaps didn't know that they could access and what is out there for them.

"It's a free session with tea and coffee. You can sit and chat if you want to, or just stay by yourself. We're encouraging as many people as possible to come and visit us."

News and Star: Handy information was provided on avoiding food wasteHandy information was provided on avoiding food waste (Image: Jimmy Moorhouse)

Starting again on Friday, January 19, the free events will run from 10-12 at the Old Town Hall, with everyone welcome. 

Chris Dove, from Cumberland Council's waste management team, was in attendance to spread the word about food portioning and how to avoid waste, handing out helpful leaflets and measuring cups for rice.

He said: "We want to help people reduce the amount of food that goes to waste. An event like this in particular, they can see how some of that information and some of those techniques can support people to live independently and live well particularly in current times with cost of living pressures."

News and Star: Chris also handed out free meal planners at the eventChris also handed out free meal planners at the event (Image: Jimmy Moorhouse)

Representatives from Carlisle Foodbank also gratefully accepted three bags of foodbank-friendly items that were donated.

Steph Humes, manager at the foodbank, said: "Carlisle Foodbank were at the coffee morning today. We are here to raise our profile, raise awareness for our charity and collect any donations as well."