Here is a brief selection of our recent work, and what we expect to be doing next month.

In January, among other activities, we have…

• hosted a Men’s Health Unlocked (MHU) Networking meeting featuring Dr Robin Hadley, a leading researcher into men who grow old without children, and its impact on loneliness.
• hosted a really well attended Wise Up to Ageism session (part of Working with older people peer learning sessions)
• taken part (and shared important information) in meetings about ‘emergency preparedness’.
• signed up four new organisations as Age and Dementia Friendly
• received confirmation that Leeds Community Healthcare Trust will fund the Enhance Programme for a second year.
• been raising serious concerns at senior levels, with our partners in Forum Central and Third Sector Leeds, for Third Sector resilience and sustainability, which will have a significant impact on our health and care sector partners. See statement from Third Sector Leeds.
• recruited Samantha Haggart as Digital Inclusion Coordinator. She will be working with BOSS delivery partners to develop and deliver a Media Literacy learning programme for over 60’s from Black and Minority Ethnic communities.
• recruited partners to deliver the health inequalities project funded by NHSCharities.
• gathered lots of useful information in monitoring returns from Travel Connections and Enhance delivery partners
• published Enhance learning briefing 8: sharing success and considering a core offer
• hosted the first Age Friendly Steering Group of 2023 with guests from Connecting Leeds to discuss A660, and Ruth Johnson from Leeds Playhouse to see how the group can get involved with the 1001 Stories as part of Leeds 2023
• worked with Forum Central to launch and administer the Household Support Fund

In February 2023, we expect to…

• run a six week Senior Spin course at John Smeaton Leisure Centre, enabling older adults to maintain their exercise levels in a warm, safe environment whilst building up their confidence in riding a bicycle. (Part of Travel Connections)
• begin delivery of BOSS (Be Online and Stay Safe)
• run training for staff and volunteers on Social isolation and loneliness, and reducing the barriers to engagement – sharing the learning from Time to Shine
• share more Time to Shine learning through blogs about Person-centred learning and the importance of providing opportunities to make friendships during activities.
• review all Enhance delivery partners in readiness for year 2 and revise the programme outcomes
• hold a conference for key stakeholders of Enhance, focusing on the learning so far.
• work with our evaluator to gather evidence about how well Enhance worked, to produce a report which will help us to plan year two. 
• work with the Age Friendly Steering Group to install their case on Age Activism as part of the Overlooked Exhibition and attend the private launch (Thursday 9 February).
• host our 3rd ‘in person’ Age Friendly Ambassador Networking event (Leeds City Museum, 28 February, 11.00-2.30) including organisational stalls, followed by a public Dementia Friends session (1.00-2.00 – book your place.) Email elizabeth@opforum.org.uk for more info.

Rob Cook
Communications Officer