• Improving attitudes: The concepts of ‘ageing well’ and ‘active communities’ are gaining momentum and attitudes are changing about how older people can improve their health by remaining both active and connected with others. • Positive experiences: Growing old can be a positive experience for some, especially those ‘baby boomers’ who are financially secure and are able to take advantage of Carlisle’s comparatively low cost of living, as well as good availability of both services and transport links. • Building connections and providing purpose via volunteering: Older people are particularly acknowledged for their willingness to dedicate significant time and energy to activities within Carlisle’s community and voluntary groups. • Active living interventions: Initiatives such as Active Cumbria’s Live Longer Better campaign2 and Travel Actively3 are identified as important preventative schemes, encouraging older people at risk of developing long term health conditions to engage with physical activity. • Overcoming loneliness: Initiatives led by partners including Carlisle Matters4, ICan Wellbeing Group CIO5 and Brampton Bus Buddies6 in both urban and rural locations are highlighted for helping older people to engage in activities that help them feel valued and less lonely. • Cross-sectoral collaborations: Partners from across the public, private, educational and voluntary and community sectors are joining forces to deliver initiatives that improve the lives of older people. These include a Dementia Café at Carlisle United;7 a cohort of Age Ambassadors and Age Friendly Businesses led by Age Friendly Carlisle, which is hosted by Age UK North Cumbria8 that open up facilities such as toilets and seating for older people in shops and businesses; and the Sense of Purpose programme delivered by the Centre for Leadership Performance9, providing retirement planning for those retiring and recently retired. OPPORTUNITIES • An ageing population: Carlisle’s population is ageing, at a time when younger age groups are decreasing, meaning that there are fewer people in the working age population. • Single person households: There is a concern about the higher-than-average number of single person households made up of older people in Carlisle, which is contributing to increasing levels of loneliness and social isolation. • Health and social care infrastructure: The number of older people living with a limiting long-term illness in Carlisle is projected to increase over time (up to 2040).10 This will place additional pressures on the existing health and social care infrastructure, particularly in rural areas, where older people, alongside their carers may have poor access to essential services such as transport, care homes and health services. • Increasing dementia prevalence: There are rising rates of dementia among older adults with many expressing concerns about availability of support services and the ongoing impact on carers. • Diverse communities: Older people from diverse communities are identified as facing further inequalities as they age. People report that older people from diverse communities are less likely to access services due to structural issues such as language, discrimination, stigma and mistrust of authorities based on previous negative experiences. • Hardship and Poverty: Organisations report concerning levels of poverty among some of Carlisle’s older residents, many of whom struggle to heat their homes or afford nutritious food, especially during colder months. CHALLENGES We have an increasingly ageing population who are not working and are placing increasing demand on health, social care services and the NHS. There are also not enough working age people to look after older people. Who will be available to provide this care now and in the future? Voluntary Sector Representative Ageing Population Carlisle’s population is ageing. Between 2011 and 2021 Carlisle’s population grew by approximately 2,500 individuals to c110,000 people. The proportional change11 in population of adults aged 65 and over in Carlisle also saw substantial growth. The number of people aged 65 to 74 years rose by just over 2,600 (an increase of 25.2%). 21.71% of people in Carlisle were aged 65 and over at the time of the 2021 Census, slightly higher than the England average of 18.41%.12 The five wards in Carlisle with the highest percentage of residents aged 65 and over were: Corby and Hayton 30.15%, Yewdale 28.49%, Brampton 27.72%, Wetheral 27.55% (Wetheral also had the most people aged 65 and above at 1,973 people) and Stanwix Urban 27.11%.13 It is of note that three of these five wards are in rural areas. It is further estimated that by 2040 there will be 32,300 people aged 65 years and over living in Carlisle, an increase of +33%. For those much older (aged 90 and over) the estimated increase is +83%.14 Lots of people have moved to Carlisle when they retire to take advantage of lower house prices and to liquidate assets that they've accrued in other places, with more expensive house prices elsewhere. A house in Longtown might be half the price of a property they've previously had, and retirees have moved to the area to take advantage of this. Voluntary Sector Representative Carlisle: Opportunities & Challenges 2025 44 45
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