Leeds Older People's Forum

08/10/2026

Celebrate the National Year of Reading with monthly quiet reading sessions at Leeds Library 📚

Bring your own book or borrow one from the library, settle in, and enjoy an hour of peaceful, focused reading alongside fellow book lovers. Afterwards, you’re welcome to stay for a relaxed chat about what you’ve been reading—have a cuppa or head off if you prefer.

From 10 am on Friday, 9 October, with other sessions planned for November and December.

📍 Leeds Central Lending Library, LS1 3AB

Tickets are now available for Quiet Reading Morning at Leeds Central Lending Library, Leeds between Friday 9th October 2026 and Friday 4th December 2026. Click the link for further information and to secure your tickets now!

06/10/2026

New research from the Centre for Ageing Better highlights how older people are often overlooked in data and research, creating a "cycle of invisibility" that can impact everything from healthcare and technology to public services: https://bit.ly/3VintBY

Leeds Older People’s Forum is committed to helping change that. Through our research programme, we work with local and regional universities, researchers and partners to ensure older people's voices, experiences and priorities help shape the evidence base that influences future services and policy.

These photos are from a recent research workshop we hosted with the NIHR Patient Safety Research Collaboration, bringing older people and researchers together to discuss issues that matter and helping to make research more inclusive and relevant. Because better research starts with listening to the people it affects.

If you or someone you know wants to get involved in future research opportunities, we encourage you to sign up for our monthly Research Bulletin: https://bit.ly/3VlUH3h

Alternatively, we welcome studies from academics and researchers who want to include older adults in the design or require support with engagement and dissemination. More information can be found on our website: https://www.opforum.org.uk/projects-and-campaigns/research-support-services-for-academics/ or you can email us at [email protected]

02/10/2026

Cross Gates & District Good Neighbours' Scheme CIO have commissioned a film that highlights exactly why Neighbourhood Networks are such a valuable asset within the city. They provide support and friendship for older adults in the community and offer opportunities to get involved locally.

This was a fab watch, well done Crossgates!

We are delighted to show you to the special première of our new Sch...

02/10/2026

Join us for the Leeds Older People’s Forum AGM 2026 on Wednesday 14 October at St George’s Centre, Leeds.

10.00 am arrival (10.30 am start)
Finishes at 12.30 pm
Light lunch included

We are pleased to welcome guest speakers Tim Riley, Director of the Provider Partnership, and Kim Adams, Programme Director of the Local Care Partnerships Development Team. They will explore the ambitions of neighbourhood health and proactive care partnerships, highlighting how collaborative, community-based approaches are making a real difference for older people in Leeds.

Attendance is free, but booking is essential. Reserve your place via TicketSource using the link or QR code on our event flyer: https://www.ticketsource.com/volition-leeds-older-people-forum/t-zoyxexm

We look forward to seeing you there!

29/09/2026

We’re meeting on Monday, 19 October, at Age UK Leeds for our next Older People's Hub.

Doors open from 10 am for a 10:30 am start, finishing by 1 pm.

Help develop Leeds City Council's Support Housing Strategy and have your say on an Independent Commission on Adult Social Care, which will recommend how to reform the adult social care system

Refreshments and a light lunch will be provided for all attendees.

Need help with transport? LOPF has a small budget to support travel — just give us a call on 0113 2441697 or email [email protected]

29/09/2026

This September, we challenged members of our local partner organisations to try something new and to do it! In conjunction with ODEON Luxe Leeds Thorpe Park at The Springs Leeds we arranged for a private screening of Tuner. Over 30 older and disabled people made the trip and had a fab time!

Motability Foundation Cross Gates & District Good Neighbours' Scheme CIO Connecting Crossgates Burmantofts Community Friends Swarcliffe Good Neighbours Scheme Seacroft Friends and Neighbours - Over 60's Charity Arriva UK Bus Arriva Yorkshire

22/09/2026

Transport can be both a gateway and a barrier to opportunity. 99% of buses meet minimum accessibility standards, but there is still more to do to get more people on board.

"It is calculated that 57% of the working-age population in England live in areas with low public transport access to jobs (defined as within 45 minutes' travel time). Access to healthcare is also more difficult, with 66% (7.8 million) of elderly people not able to reach a hospital within 30 minutes by public transport."

Travel with Confidence is helping to break down those barriers by building the confidence and motivation that older people, particularly those living with frailty or disability, need to return to independent travel: https://www.opforum.org.uk/projects-and-campaigns/travel-connections/travel-with-confidence/

You can read the full report 'The role of transport in improving access to opportunities' on the UK Parliament website: https://post.parliament.uk/the-role-of-transport-in-improving-access-to-opportunities/

There are significant regional and demographic differences in accessing opportunities, including jobs and education. How can transport improve connectivity?

21/09/2026

We teamed up with Active Leeds this year for Falls Prevention Week to support their 'Keep Saying Yes' campaign. We're delighted that older people's voices helped shape this campaign, and we encourage you to share it far and wide as it launches this week.

The campaign reinforces the message that falls are not a normal part of ageing, and that most falls can be prevented. Staying strong and active as we get older can help us stay confident, independent and keep doing the things that matter to us.

This week we’ll share stories and information that inspire people to ‘Keep Saying Yes’ to staying active and keep doing more of what they enjoy!