About York Older People’s Assembly (YOPA)

What is the Assembly?
What does it do?
How is it different from other older people’s groups?

The Assembly is part of a thriving movement of older people’s organisations throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland working in partnership with local councils and health authorities to change attitudes and services in order to achieve an improved society for older people across the UK.

The Assembly acts as an umbrella organisation and brings together the voices of individuals and organisations working on a wide range of issues with older people in York.

How?

It has been acknowledged by government, the public sector and society as a whole that a radical change of perspective is needed if public services are to meet the challenges of our ageing society. To achieve this in York, the York Older People’s Assembly was set up as an older people’s advisory group (OPAG). The York Assembly works closely with the City of York Council (CYC) and the Hospital Trust.

Assembly members are invited to be part of various groups in the City. Close links to the Council and Hospital Trust are important. To help us in this work we have a Champion, someone who can raise matters that we have identified with the Council. Another Champion raises older people’s issues at Hospital Trust Board meetings.

From this you will see that the Assembly carries weight when issues affecting older people are discussed and policies agreed. Changes are not made overnight and can take so long that we ourselves might not live to see some of them. But it feels good that we might be bringing positive changes for older people in the future.

However, for the Assembly to be able to do its work properly, we need YOU! We need to know what your views are; we need you to tell us what changes need to take place. Too often we have left it for other organisations to represent us and then only to say what they “think” older people need.

We can speak for ourselves !

How can you be part of this?

By filling in the membership form and joining our Assembly.

By coming to public meetings and giving your views on a variety of topics.

Do you belong to an older people’s group in your area?

Then maybe you have issues that have been raised locally and can be a spokesperson for your area, ward or parish? Together we have a stronger voice.

Membership is only £5 per year – donations welcome!

Just fill in the form and give it to a member, or post it.

Please note: We do not take up individual people’s problems, only issues that affect our community as a whole. However, if you have a personal problem we might be able to advise where to go for help.

Registered Charity No: 1101018