Cumbrian organisations and local councils have joined together to create a wellbeing and information centre.

Located in Carlisle, it will aim to provide the people of the city with information on the variety of local wellbeing support on offer, and strengthen connections between voluntary organisations to pressure on statutory services.

Called The Connecting Communities in Carlisle partnership, it will open on Wednesday, March 1, at 10am, at 53 Scotch Street.

The partners include Carlisle City Council, iCan Health and Fitness CIC, Age UK Carlisle and Eden, Glenmore Trust and Cumbria Health on Call (CHoC).

Funding has been provided by Carlisle City Council, Cumbria County Council and CHoC.

Information on specific community needs will be collected during the pilot phase, which will run between March  1 and May 31.

The results will influence the design and operation of the long-term centre initiative, Carlisle City Council said.

Carlisle City Cllr Elizabeth Mallinson, the portfolio holder for communities, health and wellbeing, said: “We are delighted to support the Connecting Communities in Carlisle initiative.

“It will provide great support and is in a prime location in the city centre. A wide range of services will be available, and we hope our residents take up the opportunity to make a visit.”

Cllr Cyril Weber, chair of Cumbria County Council’s local committee for Carlisle, added: “(We) are happy to fund this project as a great example of the sort of initiatives we want to see happening with the age friendly city approach.

“Having an accessible venue on the high street will help people access the wide range of support available from the community organisations that make up the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector.”

Denise Majer, CEO of The Glenmore Trust, said: “As an organisation, we provide support to adults with learning and other disabilities and people requiring support due to their mental health.

“We aim to support people to develop skills they need to live as a citizen within the community and enable people to live a life of their choosing.

“The Glenmore Trust are delighted to work as a collaborative with the other key partners in this exciting new project.”

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