STEPPING into Age Concern South Lakeland's new offices, homely touches like pot plants and the kitchenette create a welcoming atmosphere.

Staff are happily settling into their new home at Kendal's Stricklandgate House, just around the corner from their old base at Victoria House, Sandes Avenue.

Director Mary Christian and her team realised the old building had become too big for their needs, as the charity had moved away from offering social and leisure activities to active, retired folk in Kendal; and focused more upon support, advice and care for frailer older people, especially in rural villages.

Flights of steps made Victoria House tricky for disabled visitors to negotiate, and the reception area was not as welcoming as Age Concern would have liked.

"We thought, hang on a minute, we've got this enormous building and most of our work isn't happening here, and most of the people we work with can't get into it," explained Mrs Christian.

So after a hearty clear-out - unwanted goods were donated to Age Concern's furniture warehouse - the team moved to smaller offices at the top of Stricklandgate House.

Now, disabled people can reach them by lift, and they are just a few seconds away from the many other charities downstairs, such as the Alzheimer's Society and Disability Action.

Eight staff, mostly part-time, work in the Age Concern office, but more than 200 volunteers work with older folk and their carers, out in the field.

"The sort of people we are supporting now aren't able to get into Kendal because of where they live, and they are probably not very mobile, so more and more of our services are in villages and within people's own homes," explained Mrs Christian.

Age Concern's advice and information service is growing rapidly, and the office has shelves of leaflets packed with information about topics relating to older people, their families and carers.

For example, last year the charity advised 473 people about welfare benefits, and helped 143 clients to access more than £250,000 of unclaimed allowance.

People are welcome to pop in with any query, and Age Concern will do everything possible to find the answer.

If another charity at Stricklandgate House can help, they will make the introduction.

Office staff also coordinate Age Concern's services out in rural South Lakeland.

The charity has day-care centres in Milnthorpe, Arnside, Grange-over-Sands, Flookburgh, Coniston, Ambleside, Sedbergh and Outgate; and also offers a befriending service, with volunteers visiting or 'phoning elderly people for regular chats.

Around 22 lunch clubs meet in village pubs, hotels and cafes each month.

Many services can be offered in people's own homes such as help with completing benefits forms, nail cutting and bereavement counselling.

Two months after the big move, staff are pleased that being on the top floor of Stricklandgate House does not appear to be deterring potential clients, and they are enjoying the welcoming, close-knit atmosphere that a smaller office brings.

m For more information contact the charity on 01539-728118.

m Members of the public are welcome to attend Age Concern's next members' meeting on Saturday, January 27, from 10am, in the conference room at Stricklandgate House.

A panel of local politicians will debate issues relating to older people.

The meeting will be fully accessible for disabled people.