GM Older People’s Network Up-date May – July 2016 Presented by Allison Foreman, GMOPN Facilitator, Macc

Macc’s role in the AfA Programme Macc – the VCS for the City of Manchester Previous engagement with older people supported the development of the GMOPN Contracted by the AfA Programme to facilitate the GMOPN

Role of GMOPN Ensure the voice of older people across the programme Help to inform, shape and influence the AfA Programme Influence strategies in Greater Manchester

The GMOPN May Meeting of the GMOPN with Chris Phillipson, MICRA – Social Isolation & Ageing Discussion

GMOPN Development Recruitment of reps to the AfA Programme Board Established core group of older people ‘community activists’ networkers, experience in ageing projects Recruitment of reps to the AfA Programme Board Widening the group to include older people from AfA Local Delivery Lead Areas Older people led to determine why, what and how they work to develop their network and campaigns

Developments so far…… Getting to know one another and establishing relationships Want to be inspired and informed about current debates, consultations, identify areas for influencing i.e. transport Want the opportunity to come together to share and learn from each others’ experience and the activity in each of the areas across GM

Benefits for reps joining GMOPN What GMOPN members have said so far……………. Lots of contact with older people Broaden horizons Passionate about older people’s rights Share and learn from what’s happening in each others areas, ‘tell stories about what’s going on’. Make sure there’s a voice and role for older people Keeping young at heart and out of the house to do something positive

Next Steps for GMOPN Consider the framework for older people’s involvement, activity and influence Influence up-coming consultations and identify issues they’d like to consider Identify and develop influencing skills Promote the GMOPN in LDL areas to increase involvement

Widening LDL reps involvement in GMOPN Recognise the ask Quarterly/bi-monthly meetings with potential for greater involvement depending on interest, capacity and skills etc Aiming for 1 or 2 members from each LDL area, options re reps with need to ensure strong link between LDL and GMOPN Share reports of GMOPN and LDL activities and raise issues for the networks consideration

Next steps for the programme Consider how we work together to involve people on the GMOPN? What can we learn from each other, what do people need, what’s worked well?