DGSF partner with Keeping Warm Project
DGSF gets seat on Older Peoples Consultative Forum
Representation
Information
Empowerment
DGSF partner with Keeping Warm Project
DGSF gets seat on Older Peoples Consultative Forum
Dumfries & Galloway’s
Older Peoples Consultative Group
What is the OPCG?
The Consultative Group is a committee made up of delegates from a variety of older people’s organisations in our Region. The delegates are mostly persons in their 60s and 70s and volunteers, rather than salaried staff. The purpose of the Group is to allow these delegates (representing the older population) to give their opinion on proposed existing public services, and to give those opinions to officials representing NHS, Local Council etc.
How does the OPCG work?
It will meet a minimum of four times each year as a large group. The business will focus on issues affecting older peoples' welfare and wellbeing and it will work to inform and influence the decision making of the NHS and Council. However it will be for the OPCG itself to prioritise its work and to deal with the issues the group feels are most relevant.
Getting involved
The Forum currently has two delegates: Ron Spencer and Frank Smith, and we are looking for a three more. Our delegates represent the Forum as a whole, not their particular district. We meet before each OPCG meeting to put our heads together. The next meetings are scheduled for:
31st August 2010 – Cree Bridge Hotel, Newton Stewart
2nd November 2010 – Woodbank, 30 Edinburgh Road, Dumfries
Objectives
The objectives of the OPCG shall be:
• to ascertain, co-ordinate and reflect the views of all older people in the community which it represents, to liaise with other groups within the area, and to fairly express the diversity of opinions and outlooks of older people.
• to express the views of older people to the Local Authority and NHS Board for the area, to public authorities and other organisations.
• to take such action to promote the interests of older people as appears to it to be desirable and practicable.
• to promote the welfare and well-being of older people in the community and to foster a community spirit.
• to be a means whereby the older people of the area shall be able to voice their opinions on any matter affecting their lives, their welfare, their environment, its development and amenity.
People are living longer and healthier lives and as a result the proportion of older people in the population is growing. In the light of this positive change it is important that the Council and the NHS become better informed as to how the services they provide affect those who use them, including older people.
The creation of the OPCG in Dumfries and Galloway offers a fresh opportunity for older peoples' groups to become involved in the planning and development of local services.
For further information or to volunteer please contact the Forum office on 01387 279500.