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Welcome...
Another bumper edition of our ebulletin ahead of what is looking like a busy autumn with International Day of Older People on 1 October, a Forum Central workshop on the Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STP) on 13 September and an important consultation on the development of an older people's housing strategy for Leeds.
LOPF Board
Following the LOPF AGM on 21 July there have been some changes to our Board of Trustees. The following Trustees have resigned from the Board:
- Julia Edmunds (Age UK Leeds)
- Trude Silman (Holocaust Survivors Friendship Association)
- Wilfred Wyatt (Moortown Baptist Church)
We would like to thank all three Trustees who stood down for their hard work for LOPF. This is particularly the case with Trude and Wilfred who have been on the Board for as long as any of us can remember and have been excellent representatives of LOPF..
The following people were elected onto the Board at the AGM:
- Heather O'Donnell (Age UK Leeds)
- John O'Dwyer (Caring Together in Woodhouse and Little London)
- Rachel Walker (Catholic Care/Methodist Homes Association)
Officers:
- Anne Forbes stood down as one of our two Vice-Chairs and Cherrill Cliff was nominated and elected as Vice-Chair.
As well as serving as Vice-Chair Anne also had a spell as joint Chair of LOPF so she has earned the right to take a back seat (metaphorically speaking). We welcome the appointment of Cherril who has been a Trustee for several years and was also Manager of Caring Together in Woodhouse and Little London for many years.
Standing Up For Sitting Down
LOPF have been invited to support a campaign which Anchor Housing plan to launch in October.
The campaign hopes to get retailers to provide more seating for older people so they feel more inclined to use the high street.
This is a subject which LOPF feels is important and one which also ties in with the Leeds City Council campaign achieve Age Friendly City status as adequate public seating isn’t just an issue for older people (and don’t get us started on adequate provision of public toilets).
You can a read an LOPF blog about it here...
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Me and My Home: Older People’s Housing Strategy Consultation
Have your say on developing a Housing Strategy for Older People in Leeds
What is the consultation about?
Older people mostly wish to live independently in their own homes and communities. For Leeds the desired outcome is for older people to be able to stay in their existing home, or make a planned move into an alternative home suitable to their needs.
Leeds Older People’s Forum and Leeds City Council are working in partnership to produce a Housing Strategy to help us achieve this outcome and as part of this we are undertaking formal consultation with a range of stakeholders. The consultation is running for six weeks and will end on 23 September.
Why do we believe a consultation is needed?
Leeds has a strategic ambition to be “Best City in the UK to Grow Old In.”
As part of this approach we are looking at how we can best meet the needs of older people in the future and help more people to remain independent for longer through:
• Improving housing quality
• Supporting older people to live independently
• Housing Growth
That is why we now feel it is time to develop a Housing Strategy for Older People in Leeds, to ensure that we are well placed to meet the future needs of older people living in our city.
Have your say!
You can take part in the consultation by downloading the Me and My Home document here. When you have completed the document you can email it to Age friendly Leeds.
There is also a LCC Equal Opportunities Form which you can download and complete
This consultation will also be shortly available to complete online and we will circulate the details as soon as we have them.
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Your Invitation to a Forum Central Third Sector Health and Social Care Leaders Network Event
Supporting the STP – What’s the Offer from the Health & Social Care Third Sector?
Tuesday 13th September, 8.30am – 10.30am
The Vinery Centre, 20 Vinery Terrace, Leeds LS9 9LU
As a member of the Third Sector Health and Social Care Leaders Network, you are invited to attend a special Forum Central Workshop.
We need your help to develop the third sector’s ‘offer’ about how we support the Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STP). The workshop will focus on what the current offer from the sector is and what it could be in the future.
Some of the other delivery partners are also coming to the workshop, including the leads on the workforce planning sub-group, so it will be a great way of ensuring that colleagues from other sectors hear first-hand some of the discussions and ideas that are emerging from us.
If you would like to reserve your place and be part of these important service shaping discussions, please ring: (0113) 242 1321 or email: info@volition.org.uk
Thanks, and we hope you can make it!
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Dementia Friendly Leeds Update
'Connections Event' - venue needed
As part of Dementia Friendly Leeds, I am planning an event for local businesses and organisations to attend who want to learn more about becoming dementia friendly.
There will be a dementia expert speaker and the opportunity to actively discuss challenges and ideas for supporting people with dementia, as well as meeting other local organisations.
We are looking for a venue to hold this event at the end of February. We are hoping for 80 - 100 people, and the event will last about two hours in the afternoon. We have a limited budget for this event.
If you have a suitable venue available, or would be interested in attending, please contact Sarah: sarah@opforum.org.uk
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Time to Shine Update
An Age-Friendly Pride!
Time to Shine and its delivery partner Sage (a partnership of Yorkshire MESMAC and Age UK Leeds) tried something new this year for Pride: offering a “mellow space” right in the heart of the party, at Lambert’s Yard on Lower Briggate.
You can read all about it here...
Time to Shine booklet of Delivery Partner projects
We're delighted to announce the launch of our new Time to Shine booklet which details all current delivery partner projects and the wonderful work they've done across Leeds to improve the lives of older people.
You can download a PDF copy of the booklet here...
If you'd like print copies please call us on (0113) 244 1697.
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Digital Angels
 The new Time To Shine Digital Angels project is now up and running, and is looking for clients, volunteers, organisations and venues in south Leeds who would like to get involved.
Digital Angels is about getting people over the age of 50 who are socially isolated and living in South Leeds online.
Read more here...
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International Day of Older People Update: City Snaps
 Join Rozi and Nicki from Skippko to explore digital photography in Leeds celebrating International Day of Older People.
The event will be outdoors, with an indoor alternative if the weather is bad. Meet at 2pm outside Leeds Art Gallery on the Headrow.
Bring your own camera or use one of Skippko's.
Contact Cath at Skippko to book a place and for more details.
cath.skippko@gmail.com (0113) 234 5355
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Tackling Social isolation and Alcohol Use in LS7
 Resilient not Reliant is a new pilot service aimed at people aged 60 and over in the LS7 area of Leeds who are drinking potentially harmful amounts of alcohol. Bridging a gap in current services the project will engage participants in community activities as a healthier alternative to alcohol.
Based within the Royal Voluntary Service, the project is open to referrals from statutory and third sector organisations alike.
Project Officer Sian Johnson explains that
“This is a new low level project aimed at plugging a gap in services. We are looking to target those who are at risk of becoming alcohol dependant rather than those already identified as being dependent or are already linked in with statutory services. So it is essentially for people over 60 who are aging well but drinking harmfully”
Read more here..
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Writing Back
 Writing Back is a volunteer pen pal scheme where older Yorkshire residents exchange letters with our students, many of whom are away from home for the first time and welcome the chance to write to someone new .
This pioneering and award-winning scheme encourages the formation of long-lasting friendships, whilst tackling loneliness in both demographics. Now in its third year, the project has seen 140 people write to one another so far.
Read all about it here...
Download the Writing Back leaflet
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Wanted: homeowners
Do you live alone in your own home but want to stay independent?
Do you have a spare room?
A new scheme, Leeds Homeshare, offers a way for older people to stay safely in their own homes and offer younger people a helping hand.
Read more here about how it works and how you can get involved...
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It’s Good to Talk
 Low mood, anxiety or any kind of emotional stress are part of everyday life and can be a real challenge. Sometimes people are able to deal with this by themselves or with the help of family and friends. However, some professional help may be needed and Leeds IAPT can provide this.
Leeds IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) provides psychological treatments, sometimes called ‘talking therapies’ to help people who are stressed, experiencing low mood or are very nervous.
People can self-refer by calling 0113 843 4388 or go online www.leedsiapt.com to complete an assessment or for more information.
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Have you thought about your digital legacy?
 As part of their regular talks around death, dying and loss, Leeds Bereavement Forum’s August speaker will be James Norris, founder of the Digital Legacy Association and Dead Social.org who is coming to Leeds to talk about our Digital Legacy on Wednesday 31 August.
Read more here...
To book your free place visit Leeds Bereavement Forum’s website.
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Dignity in Dying in Leeds needs you!
 Do you live in Leeds or West Yorkshire?
Are you passionate about Britain being a place where terminally ill people don’t need to suffer needlessly? Do you want to a see a safe assisted dying law in the UK?
Are you interested in influencing local organisations and raising public awareness of assisted dying locally?
Then Dignity in Dying in Leeds needs you!
Join up with other like-minded, passionate individuals in Leeds and West Yorkshire and play a part to help make the choice of an assisted death a reality and end the needless suffering of the terminally ill. I’ll be there too to talk about the campaign and answer any questions you may have.
Read more here...
If you want to help out or simply learn more about the campaign please join us for an informal get together on Thursday 8th September from 6pm at: Friends Meeting House, 188 Woodhouse Lane, Leeds, LS2 9DX
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‘Innovation through diversity’
Leeds City Council is hosting ‘Innovation through diversity’, a conference to mark Inclusion Week and better understand and explore opportunities of being a more culturally diverse city.
Speakers will share examples of innovation through diversity gained from organisations and communities in which they live and work.
You will hear real life experiences from our Living Library whose stories will touch on different aspects of diversity and inclusion in Leeds.
Read more here...
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Bramley Elderly Action Update
 There's a lot going on at Bramley Elderly Action (BEA) and Older Wiser Local Seniors (OWLS) from August to December
Bramley Elderly Action has published a new programme of activities for West Leeds Stroke Club (The Stroke Club is a friendly fortnightly get-together for anyone in West Leeds who is recovering from a stroke). Sessions take place at Bramley Lawn
Bramley Lawn will be holding their first scooter rally and BEA and OWLS are joining up to encourage more older people in the city to take part in Light Night.
You can read all about everything that is happening here...
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Men in Sheds
 Men in Sheds is a free fully equipped workshop in Leeds for men over 55.
This dedicated space is an effective way to reduce the social isolation some experience when they retire and brings like minded people together to learn new skills, make things, socialise, or just enjoy a cup of tea!
The Shed is open Monday to Thursday in Morley, Leeds. Get in touch today to see how you can get involved in The Shed. Please contact Leeds@groundwork.org.uk.
Download leaflet
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Permanent Holocaust Learning Centre for the North of England to be Established
Stories of Holocaust survivors from the North of England will be given a new home at Heritage Quay in the University of Huddersfield, thanks to a new project led by the Holocaust Survivors’ Friendship Association (HSFA).
Many survivors and their families now live or have lived in Yorkshire. These include people who during the Second World War were refugees, in hiding, in ghettos, or in concentration and death camps, as well as those who escaped on the Kindertransport.
Read more:
 Heritage Lottery Fund Press Release
Huddersfield University Website Article
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West Yorkshire Hate Crime Reporting App - Stop Hate UK
 Stop Hate UK is pleased to remind you of our Hate Crime Reporting App. Its aim is to aid witnesses and those targeted because of their identity, throughout West Yorkshire, to report incidents of Hate Crime and be able to access information and advice about Hate Crime services.
Read more here...
Download poster
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Care & Repair Leeds Annual Report 2015/16
 Care & Repair Leeds continues to provide a valuable and trusted service to the people of Leeds. Last year was another successful year for us, assisting 1,000’s of older people, disabled people and people on low incomes across Leeds to remain living independently in a safe, warm and secure home.
Follow the link to our website to see our latest Annual report and read more about how we have helped people over the last year. http://www.care-repair-leeds.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Annual-Report-2016.pdf
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F.E.W.G. – Friday Easy Walking Group
- Have a healthy life-style and meet new friends
- Visit new places and enjoy the countryside
- Walk in safety with a friendly walking group?
- Walks of up to 4 miles on Fridays (fortnightly)
- Public transport on all walks – Certificated walk leaders
Contact Joan on 07957 869823 or email: jswaby@uwclub.net for information about the walks and group
F.E.W.G. also have outings, social events and holidays.
Download September 2016 leaflet here...
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Pilot course, based on the original EXTEND training course
Leeds October 2016.
At a special ‘one off’ cost of £495.
We can see that there are many caring people out there with a world of knowledge and experience, who would make excellent exercise teachers, especially for those with long term conditions and age problems.
This course is designed for the recruitment of potential teachers, who may not otherwise be able to access a course, without prior learning in the exercise field.
Read more here...
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SAFER Project Update
 The SAFER project is a community protection and empowerment programme, supporting older adults in Leeds and Bradford.
The project aims to provide residents with the knowledge, skills and confidence to protect themselves against Doorstep Crime and Scams, and also to provide frontline advice and support to those already in crisis from such activity.
Their latest newsletter is available to download here
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OPAL Vacancy: Shared Well Project Worker
£19,199.68; 35 hours per week.
 Older People’s Action in the Locality (OPAL) supports older people to live independently in their own homes. We have funding from Time to Shine to employ a Shared Well Project Worker for 23 months.
You must have your own car and have a full licence.
Closing Date: Wednesday 14th September 2016
Interview Date: Wednesday 28th September 2016
Download more information here...
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