Older people's reference group (OPRG)

What were your involvements before NDA?

Before joining NDA I had been an Open University tutor, DD100 - Introduction to the Social Sciences - for many years.

Why did you join the OPRG?

I joined NDA OPRG because, in my 60s, I was studying for an OU doctorate in education. The title of my dissertation was ‘Learning in Later Life: oldering or empowerment. A third age researcher’s interpretation of some voices of third age learners.’

I was interested in NDA because it seems, unlike much gerontology, to take old people seriously, and have no ageist agenda.

What has been the most rewarding part of being a member of the OPRG?

It was some time after applying to join before I was accepted, and having been a member for less than a year it is hard to say what is most rewarding. I think it is probably two invitations to meet those involved in research.

What would you like to see the NDA achieve?

I would hope that NDA will help to change the image of old people, particularly in the media, so that the word ‘old’ might one day not be seen as insulting, and old people would not feel it necessary to call themselves ‘older’. (Everyone is older than they once were).

I hope it might play a part in combating oldering, the process whereby old people accept that they are ‘too old’ to do all sorts of things that they are perfectly capable of.

Forum to forum, June 2008.

What were your involvements before NDA?

I was an electrician by trade and from 1984 – 2000; I ran my own domestic appliance business. I retired on medical grounds.

I’ve been a lifelong left-wing socialist and member of CND and Greenpeace for 20 years. I am on the committee of the Sheffield Humanist Society. I am also co-founder of the new Co-operative Self-Help Group for Sheffield and Rotherham, a not-for-profit organisation to give older people assistance at home.

Why did you join the OPRG?

I was invited to join by Help The Aged, who invited me to a meeting in London. I was happy to be involved in something that will improve the lives of older people.

What has been the most rewarding part of being a member of the OPRG?

Knowing that we have some influence on what’s happening. I was pleased to become a member as I had never been involved in research before and think it could bring some positive changes.

What would you like to see the NDA achieve?

For me, that there be no more discrimination against older people is a key issue.

What were your involvements before NDA?

Before I joined NDA, I was a research fellow in the Department of Health Science, University of Leicester where I carried out research on a variety of topics concerning older people and BME groups. I am a member of the BME Older People’s Forum at Age UK.

Why did you join the OPRG?

I was invited to join the OPRG by Age UK to represent the views of BME Older People’s Forum.

What has been the most rewarding part of being a member of the OPRG?

The most rewarding part of being a relatively new member of the OPRG is to meet other members of the OPRG and to hear about their experiences of working with NDA research projects and the kind of contributions they have made to the projects.

What would you like to see the NDA achieve?

In my opinion, one of the most important achievements of the NDA programme would be to ensure that projects are supported beyond the implementation stage to provide opportunity to assess their impact on the lives older people.

What were your involvements before NDA?

Before I retired I was a silver service waitress and my last job was at Brunel University where I was active in the union.

In 1986, I completed my Certificate in Industrial Relations and Trade Union Studies. Two years later I started on my Degree Course with the Open University finishing in 1995 with a BSC, which I collected in Paris a year later.

I have recently completed a Post Graduate Certificate in Gerontology at Southampton University. I was part of BGOP/OPAG from 1999 – 2009, when I resigned to continue my studies at University. I am Chair of the Ransackers Association a project which was started by Vi Hughes in 2004, giving older people a chance of further education.

Why did you join the OPRG?

I joined because I was interested in research. I originally wanted to go round the world and interview old people about the little things in life that mean a lot (as the words of the song go!), but could not do this, so the OPRG seemed a very interesting opportunity.

What has been the most rewarding part of being a member of the OPRG?

Being part of the research projects and trying to understand what is involved in a research project.

What would you like to see the NDA achieve?

I would like the OPRG to get its own research project off the ground, involving older people in their own areas of interest, but of course we would need a university behind us.

What were your involvements before NDA?

Prior to retirement, I worked in social work for older people and then at policy level for the London Borough of Lewisham and at national level on equality and diversity issues on all aspects of age equality.

Since retirement I have become General Secretary of the Older Women’s Network, Europe. With colleagues across Europe and beyond, I have worked with the Committee which monitors the United Nations Convention for the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) to support the development of a general recommendation on older women which is due to be agreed in July 2010.

This means that in the future, States Parties’ four-year reports to the Committee will be specifically required to report on the actions taken over the period to address older women’s equality and human rights. This will ensure that age is mainstreamed into public policy in each country which is a party to the Convention.

Why did you join the OPRG?

I joined the ORPG because it offered the opportunity to influence the research agenda on ageing, it took a holistic approach and it enabled me to develop new contacts and friends.

What has been the most rewarding part of being a member of the OPRG?

Most rewarding has been to represent the ORPG on the Commissioning Panel.

What would you like to see the NDA achieve?

That the NDA approach is accepted as the standard for

• ageing research (ie across the disciplines)

• the effective involvement of older people

What were your involvements before NDA?

A retired senior civil servant, my involvements were then and continue to be working as an unpaid volunteer with several older people’s groups and community organisations at local and pan-London level, as a social and consumer rights volunteer worker to disabled and older people, and as a trustee/management board member of the local Volunteer Centre.

At the personal level, for 20 years until 2003 I was carer for my mother-in-law and my own blind and disabled mother. So I have a lot of experience of and continuing contact with older people and their problems.

Why did you join the OPRG?

I volunteered because, through life experience, I had discovered that only by being an older person does one truly understand the problems and issues of ageing in later life. I wanted to be involved with a programme that included older people actively working from the outset with other older people and not their self-styled representatives.

What has been the most rewarding part of being a member of the OPRG?

Knowing that I am listened to and actively involved in projects designed to benefit older people.

What would you like to see the NDA achieve?

I would like to see all NDA project results translated into practical outcomes and all future older-people programmes with older people actively working with other older people on the main advisory board.

What were your involvements before NDA?

Before retirement in August 2002, I worked in secondary school education, ending as Deputy Head. I was a local councillor in Bexley from 1978–94, chair of the Sikh temple in Belvedere, Bexley, and chair of Bexley Council for Racial Equality. In 1977, I was co-founder of the Anglo-Asian African-Caribbean Friendship and Cultural Association, and am still secretary.

Since 2002, I have been the chair of Bexley Multi-Faith Forum, and in 2010 became Chair of Greenwich Multi-Faith Forum. From 2006–09, I was secretary of the Greenwich Pensioners Forum and Trustee of the Greenwich Older People’s Advocacy Project. Since 2009 I have been the co-chair of the Greenwich Older People’s Olympiad and Voice, and assistant secretary of London Older People’s Strategy Group.

Why did you join the OPRG?

I saw the advert for the OPRG in the Help The Aged Bulletin and thought it was a dream come true to be involved. I had heard of Professor Walker before but never had the luck to work with him. I felt that if I joined the group I would feel more focused and involved in future developments to improve the lives of older people.

What has been the most rewarding part of being a member of the OPRG?

I feel privileged to have the opportunity to get advice and guidance from Alan Walker and all the heads of programmes.

What would you like to see the NDA achieve?

I would like the NDA to have influence on politicians, to draw to their attention the needs of elderly people, especially Asian elderly. There is the perception that all elderly Asians are looked after by their families but this increasingly isn’t the case nowadays, as younger families are more occupied with their work, and this needs to be addressed.

What were your involvements before NDA?

I am involved in activities within the Asian community in the Harrow area of London and in Hertfordshire where I live. I participated in View Point's Pilot Scheme to help people with mental health problems.

I joined the Dosti Old People’s Club in 1997, a few months after redundancy due to ill health (depression). I helped other members in getting central government funding and introduced Carers’ Week Activities in the Club. I also joined the Millennium Award scheme and worked with Help The Aged.

I help get the Hindu community’s voice heard in government. I supported Help The Aged visiting places of worship of various faiths. I go round old people’s nursing homes in a group, singing and doing various other activities and also took part in visiting an infant school for a pilot scheme to build Tolerant Future Generations.

I was part of an NHS Patient and Public Involvement in Health from May 2003 until March 2008, and took part in an Expert Patient Programme. I helped set up LINKS for smoother daily running of the NHS and may help them with the on-going feedback for audit purposes.

Why did you join the OPRG?

I liked the idea of helping policy makers, and I saw a need to represent our community.

What has been the most rewarding part of being a member of the OPRG?

Meeting up with people from the other communities and understanding their needs, attending workshops and seminars, and talking with researchers.

What would you like to see the NDA achieve?

High quality feedback from the older generation. We should become role models to help others.

What were your involvements before NDA?

Elected member and Secretary of the Brighton and Hove Older People’s Council

Why did you join the OPRG?

I am interested in looking at the broader picture regarding older people and the challenges they face, and particularly interested in government policy and in research into improving older people’s lives.

What has been the most rewarding part of being a member of the OPRG?

Meeting the members of the OPRG group. I have joined only recently, so there has been limited opportunity to become involved with any of the projects.

What would you like to see the NDA achieve?

To see respect for the needs of older people given proper recognition everywhere: in government, in local communities and in families.

What were your involvements before NDA?

The majority of my working life has been in sales, marketing and administration in the printing and publishing sector. I had my own business in importing and distributing greeting cards, books and gifts and latterly worked for a large USA company.

I have been a school governor for many years, most recently as Chair at a large local secondary school. Since retiring from full-time work I have become a trustee/director of a number of organisations including a bookshop, church and housing development.

The involvement that now takes up the majority of my time is as Chairman of Eastbourne Seniors Forum, one of seven in East Sussex and part of the national network. Forums provide a voice for seniors in all aspects of life including health, pensions, learning. They work with regional and national authorities and bodies to achieve a better quality of life. I represent the Forum on a number of boards and committees including the local NHS, PCT Age and Healthcare Steering Group.

Why did you join the OPRG?

As Chairman of the Seniors forum, I received an enquiry from the NDA programme secretary for interested people to which I replied.

What has been the most rewarding part of being a member of the OPRG?

It’s a bit too early to say as I have only been to one meeting in London but found that very interesting.

What would you like to see the NDA achieve?

Quantifiable and tangible results that improve the quality of life for all older people regardless of ethnicity, disability, culture, social status or regional area.

What were your involvements before NDA?

Before hearing about the NDA I was, and still am the Hon Secretary of the Blackburn with Darwen Older Peoples Forum. I am also Chairman of the Ewood Community Association and member of the Labour Party.

I was a social worker for about 40 years, starting with a voluntary organisation; the Ulster Society for the Deaf, going on the statutory as Senior Social Worker; Principal Social Worker (Residential and Day Care) and concluding as Training Manager with Lancashire County Council.

After receiving redundancy from social services, I was an External Verifier with Edexcel for several years on Health and Social Care courses.

Why did you join the OPRG?

I am quite curious and wish to try and use the results of research in day to day services. I thought that some involvement with the OPRG would allow me insight into current research and what I learnt I could try to get applied locally for the benefit of older people.

What has been the most rewarding part of being a member of the OPRG?

I am only at the beginning of my relationship with OPRG and I would hope to get involved with any activities reasonably locally as and when such opportunities arise.

What would you like to see the NDA achieve?

I should like any results to be widely disseminated and where appropriate introduced where the lives and status of older people can be improved. I see research as a means to an end and if not implemented, where evidence show that there are benefits, I would be concerned.