A project that supports older veterans has been launched by Age UK West Cumbria today.

The Joining Forces project officially kicked off at the Army Reserves Centre in Workington.

It aims to support older veterans to maintain their independence and stay connected and included within their community.

The launch event was attended by Claire Hensman, the Lord Lieutenant of Cumbria, Alistair Wannop, the High Sheriff of Cumbria, Ann Bales, the Mayor of Workington, and Mary Bainbridge, the Mayor of Allerdale.

Representatives from Age UK, SSAFA the Armed Forces Charity, the Royal British Legion and other organisations also attended.

Claire Dobson, Joining Forces project worker, read a short poem, 'Fighting Man', which she wrote while serving in the Royal Air Force.

Joining Forces is being delivered by 15 Age UK organisations across England and offers support for ex-service personnel aged over 65, their family members and carers.

Peta Leigh, Joining Forces project manager, said: "The aim of the project is to provide personalised support to veterans to enable them to maintain their independence at home.

"We want to make sure that they can access all the benefits and financial support available to them and services to meet their wider needs.

"It is also important that they are able to continue socialising with others, and we will help them, for example, to attend commemorative or reunion events or to link with service friends they have lost touch with."

Martin Adair, project leader, said: "Veterans are rightly proud of their service in the Armed Forces and it means a great deal to them to keep in touch with service friends and attend events.

"Many older veterans are unable to do this without help and we are delighted to be able to offer support."

The Joining Forces project is also looking for volunteers to befriend older veterans, visiting or phoning them for a chat, helping them to access social activities, running social groups or assisting them to attend commemorative or reunion events.

Any ex-service personnel aged 65 or over, their families or carers or anyone who is interested in volunteering for the Joining Forces project should contact the Age UK West Cumbria Helpline on 08443 843 843 for more information.