Barrow's Forum 28 hosts art exhibition and Age Concern open day in 1995

A highlight of the day, which was aimed at helping older people plan for the future, was a fancy dress parade which involved local youngsters in costumes made by Age Concern volunteers.

The charity’s chief officer, Adrienne Poole, said the day had been a huge success, with dozens of people visiting Forum 28.

Health and dietary advice, information about finance and exhibits about how to enjoy a full retirement proved popular.

Barrow mayor Flo Proudfoot opened the exhibition and open day.

Age Concern’s annual general meeting was also held during the afternoon.

Under the headline ‘New office will make life easier for island’s OAPs’ The Mail reported in 2006 that pensioners would no longer have to travel to town to access Age Concern’s services when a new office opened on Walney.

From early February Age Concern’s information and advice department would attend Walney Cottage clinic, at the rear of the Burnett Edgar surgery on Central Drive, between 2pm and 4pm each Tuesday.

Staff would offer advice on all matters relating to older people, especially benefits, and appointments could be made for follow-up visits in people’s homes if required.

Information would also be available for people wanting to access training or on becoming a volunteer.

Mike Brockbank, Age Concern's advice services manager, said: "The move to Walney is a result of the pilot project we have been running for the past three months, which proved that we need to be more community based.

"Thanks to Morecambe Bay Primary Care Trust, we have been offered office accommodation at Walney.

"We intend to expand the service, possibly to the Atkinson Health Centre in Barrow and the clinic in the grounds of Dowdales School at Dalton.

"The pilot did show that we need to be based in places that older people visit in the course of their daily lives."

It was hoped eventually Age Concern staff would be able to offer a service from GP surgeries.