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

In November, among other activities, we have…

• started to plan an Enhance conference
• published the final Time to Shine local evaluation report, and a blog on how to learn from these reports.
• launched BOSS (Be Online Stay Safe) at Westminster Hall. The partnership, with 100% Digital Leeds, Leeds Irish Health and Homes, Health For All, Hamara and Feel Good Factor aims to improve media literacy.
• said goodbye to Friendly Communities Officer Rachel Standish, but we’re very pleased that we’ll have ongoing contact in her new role at AgeUK Leeds
• held a Travel Connections Let’s Talk Transport event at White Rose Centre in partnership with First Bus, who used a new electric bus to take older people there.
• brought LOPF staff & trustees together to work on our strategic plan
• took part in an online workshop organised by the Tackling Loneliness Hub on analysing, presenting and disseminating loneliness evaluation data.
• developed a business case for sustainability of the Enhance programme
• hosted a 1001 Stories zoom session with story gatherer Minoti Parikh
• hosted an Age Friendly Ambassador Networking event at Leeds City Museum, signing up 5 new Age Friendly Ambassadors, 4 Age and Dementia Friendly Businesses and 8 Dementia Friends
• met with Leeds City Council Taxi Licensing to plan Age and Dementia Friendly awareness training for taxi drivers
• begun a drive to recruit new LOPF members
• welcomed new Administrator Jenni Scott to the team

In December 2022, we expect to…

• recruit a Digital Inclusion Co-ordinator (deadline for applications 6 December)
• interview older Enhance participants to gather evidence as part of the evaluation of the programme’s first year
• start to promote the Enhance conference
• run an advent calendar campaign on Twitter, with our fantastic learning resources as daily gifts, including brand new ‘…how to find what you need.’
• share the Leeds Up and Go DEEP group’s Dementia Enquirers report
• hold a festive Age Friendly Steering Group meeting to celebrate the work of 2022, inviting consulters, guest speakers and trustees.
• continue to work with partners across the city to provide information and support to older people affected by the Cost of Living crisis.
• take a break!

Rob Cook
Communications Officer