Leeds Older People’s Forum
Our specialist work around older people is delivered by Forum Central partner Leeds Older People’s Forum (LOPF). LOPF was established in March 1994 and promotes the wellbeing of all older people in Leeds. The forum gives a more powerful voice to older people in shaping their city for the benefit of all its citizens.
LOPF achieve this through their work to:
- Influence policies and practices
- Challenge discrimination with positive narratives of growing older
- Enable social participation at every level
- Identify and promote the needs of older people through research and project evaluation
- Share information and best practice of other organisations that work with older people
Leeds Older People’s Forum has several core workstreams including campaigning, dementia, housing, inter-generational, international Day of Older People, the Neighbourhood Network Schemes and social isolation.
Housing
We’ve worked with our members and Public to produce the key foundations of a policy for Housing and Older People in Leeds. At its heart is the fundamental importance of involving older people and organisations that represent them and work with them in the development and future monitoring of the policy.
Inter-Generational
We have championed inter-generational practice, its mutual benefits to young and old, and power to create stronger communities. We believe that inter-generational work can help meet many of the city’s priorities. We recently produced a report on intergenerational work in Leeds entitled ‘Generations United in Leeds’ which can be downloaded in the Information and Resources section on this page.
Campaigning
We are actively engaged in campaigning to make Leeds a “City For All Ages.” Campaigning strands include hospital discharges, housing, making Leeds an Age and Dementia Friendly City, and LOPF’s Manifesto.
International Day of Older Persons
Each year, since 1998, Leeds has celebrated the International Day of Older People (1st October). These celebrations extend beyond that day, usually for around a week and a half through a series of community events. Many of these receive small grants of up to £200 via LOPF. The aim of IDOP is to promote the contribution older people make to the city. View the 2021 events here.
Neighbourhood Network Schemes
Neighbourhood Network Schemes are community based, locally led organisations. They enable older people to live independently and pro-actively participate within their own communities. They provide services that reduce social isolation and provide opportunities for volunteering. They also act as a “gateway” to advice, information and services that promote health and wellbeing and thus improve people’s quality of life.
Dementia
The Dementia-Friendly Leeds Campaign Officer for the city works for Leeds Older People’s Forum in partnership with Alzheimer’s Society and Leeds City Council.
They run the Leeds Dementia Action Alliance and work with people living with dementia and their families and carers. They also encourage local groups and organisations to join the Alliance, and support community projects to help neighbourhoods become more ‘dementia friendly.’ For more information please visit: www.dementiaaction.org.uk/leeds
Membership
Leeds Older People’s Forum (LOPF) has a membership of over 80 voluntary sector organisations working with older people across Leeds. This includes over 30 Neighbourhood Network Schemes.
Member organisations support people through a variety of different ways, including:
– Advocacy
– Befriending
– Bereavement support
– Dementia services
– Form filling
– Healthy living and wellbeing
– Home-from-hospital service
– Housing, including specialist supported housing
– Information & advice, working with many of the communities with the greatest inequalities and those who are most at risk of poor health
– Reducing social isolation
– Referrals to other organisations
– Social activities
– Support for carers
– Support visits
– Transport, including accessible transport
– Trips and outings
– Winter warmth
All member organisations provide services dedicated to older people though they are not necessarily an older people’s organisation.
The Forum supports its members and ensures the voluntary sector is involved in planning, developing and managing services for older people in Leeds.
You can search the Forum Central members directory for services here, or view LOPF members here. For more information on joining contact us.
Representation
LOPF Trustees and staff are involved in many local, regional and national strategic groups which cover issues of relevance and concern to older people. We also meet regularly with local councillors, commissioners and managers from local health and social care.
Local
The Best City to Grow Older in Board
- Bill Rollinson
- John Welham
Leeds Age Friendly Partnership
- Bill Rollinson (Joint Chair)
- Linda Glew
- John Welham
Equalities Assembly Age Hub
- John Welham
Regional
Future Years (Yorkshire & Humber Forum Ageing)
- John Welham (Vice Chair)
Yorkshire & Humber Dementia Action Alliance
- John Welham
National
U.K. Advisory Forum on Ageing (including Working Groups: Transport; Age Friendly Environments and Safe, Warm Homes)
- John Welham
Age Action Alliance (AAA) “Money Matters” working group
- John Welham
Care & Repair England’s National Older People’s Housing Champions Network
- Bill Rollinson
- John Welham
Strategic Information
Making Leeds the Best City to Grow Old In is one of Leeds City Council’s seven breakthrough projects. These projects provide a focus on priorities in key areas of work for the city. This breakthrough project plan is based on the eight World Health Organisation (WHO) Age Friendly City domains:
Civic Participation/Employment
Communication and Information
Social Participation
Housing
Outdoor spaces and buildings
Respect and Social Inclusion
Transportation
Community Support and Health Services
They are also reflected in the Age Friendly Charter which was launched jointly by Leeds Older People’s Forum and Leeds City Council. It specifies pledge that citizens and a range of organisations to adopt to contribute to making Leeds Age Friendly. The pledges were written in consultation with older people in Leeds.
The cities’ key ageing and ageing related strategies are:
Leeds City Council is currently reviewing a range of provision it commissions for older people including; residential care, home care, day centres, community meals and Neighbourhood Network Schemes.