Leeds Older People's Forum

What Leeds Older People's Forum does

Leeds Older People's Forum (LOPF) is a registered charity (no. 1191030) and company limited by guarantee (no. CE023712) founded in 1994 in Leeds, England. It operates as a membership network of more than 90 third-sector organisations working with and for older people, providing an umbrella voice, training, representation and project delivery infrastructure across Leeds and (since 2023) the wider West Yorkshire region. The organisation's core operational layer is 34 Neighbourhood Networks — community-based, locally led organisations commissioned by Leeds City Council to deliver social, information, advocacy and wellbeing services to older residents.

LOPF's revenue model is grant-dependent. Income is drawn from UK government departments (Department for Transport, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, DWP), NHS bodies (NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, NHS Charities Together, Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust), local authority commissioners (Leeds City Council Adults & Health, Public Health), and charitable foundations (National Lottery Community Fund, Motability Foundation, Centre for Ageing Better, Heritage Lottery, Independent Age, Leeds Community Foundation). The flagship financial event was the £6m Big Lottery award in 2014 for the seven-year Time to Shine loneliness programme. Membership dues from third-sector organisations provide a secondary, smaller revenue stream.

The product portfolio is diverse and programmatic rather than technology-based. Active programmes as of 2026 include Neighbourhood Networks, Shine Magazine (bi-monthly, reaching ~5,000 older people), BOSS (Be Online and Stay Safe) digital inclusion, Travel Connections / Travel with Confidence, Enhance (person-centred community healthcare support for people 50+), Good Practice Mentor, 1001 Stories (creative healthy ageing), Driving Change Together, Creative Healthy Ageing, Men's Health Unlocked, Warm & Cosy, Time Well Spent, Older People and Food Insecurity, Winter Finance Support, Age Proud Leeds, the Older People's Hub equality forum, the International Day of Older People annual celebration, and Research Support Services for Academics. LOPF also co-leads Forum Central, a coalition with Volition, PSI Network and Tenfold aggregating ~300 health and care third-sector organisations. Distribution is network-based rather than sales-based: programmes reach beneficiaries through member organisations, Neighbourhood Networks, delivery partners (Age UK Leeds, Leeds Playhouse, Leeds Museums and Galleries, 100% Digital Leeds, Hamara, Health for All, Feel Good Factor, Leeds Irish Health and Homes, Touchstone, William Merritt Centre) and the volunteer-led Age Friendly Ambassador programme. Technology usage is limited to Mailchimp, JotForm and FlipHtml5, with no proprietary platform.

Name

Leeds Older People's Forum

Legal name

Leeds Older People's Forum

Website

https://opforum.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Leeds Older People's Forum is a Leeds-based registered charity (founded 1994) operating as a membership network of 90+ third-sector organisations and 34 Neighbourhood Networks delivering advocacy, grant-funded programmes and a collective voice for older people's health, wellbeing and social inclusion across Leeds and West Yorkshire.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Older People's Advocacy and Community Wellbeing Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Elder Services & Aging Support (BPAGAEAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Resources, Social Services & Transportation Coordination (HLADALAK), Senior Social Clubs & Community-Based Day Programs (Non-Clinical) (HSABANAK), Social, Community & Senior Center Outings Transport (HSABAOAG)

Keywords

• Older people advocacy
• Age friendly communities
• Social isolation support
• Third sector network
• Community wellbeing programmes

Headquarters

HQ city

Leeds

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding: LOPF receives grant funding from multiple government departments, NHS bodies, and charitable foundations including Dementia Enquirers, Leeds City Council, National Lottery Community Fund, NHS Charities Together, Department for Transport, and Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
2. Membership Dues: Third sector organisations, voluntary organisations and community groups pay membership fees to join Leeds Older People's Forum. Membership includes access to Forum Central network and various benefits.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Leeds Older People's Forum is a registered charity and membership network of over 80 third sector organisations working with and for older people in Leeds and West Yorkshire. It delivers community-based programmes for older people addressing social isolation, digital inclusion, transport access, health and wellbeing, age-friendly policy advocacy, and creative engagement, funded primarily through grants and membership dues. Its portfolio spans 34 commissioned Neighbourhood Networks, the Shine Magazine, BOSS digital inclusion, the Enhance community health partnership, Travel Connections, and the Age Proud Leeds campaign.

Product overview

Leeds Older People's Forum is a charity network of 90+ third sector organisations working to ensure older people have the opportunities, choices and support they need to live the lives they want. The organisation offers a diverse portfolio of programmes and services including community support networks (Neighbourhood Networks serving all of Leeds), health and wellbeing initiatives (Enhance Programme, Men's Health Unlocked), digital inclusion (BOSS - Be Online and Stay Safe), transport and mobility (Travel Connections, Driving Change Together), creative engagement (Shine Magazine, 1001 Stories, Creative Healthy Ageing), policy advocacy (Manifesto for Change, Older People's Hub), and learning resources (Good Practice Mentor, Research Support Services). The portfolio also includes targeted programmes addressing food insecurity, winter finance support, and annual celebrations like International Day of Older People. Members receive access to the Forum Central network and representation at city-wide boards with statutory sector partners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Shine Magazine: A bi-monthly publication sharing real-life stories of older people in Leeds, delivered to almost 5,000 older people including those in 16 care homes
• BOSS (Be Online and Stay Safe)
• Travel Connections
• Enhance
• Men's Health Unlocked
• IDOP - International Day of Older People
• Good Practice Mentor
• Time to Shine
• Warm & Cosy
• Age Proud Leeds
• People's History of Leeds
• Time Well Spent
• Driving Change Together
• Forum Central

Products and services

• Neighbourhood Networks A network of 34 community-based, locally led organisations across Leeds that support older people to live independently and participate in their communities, offering information, advice, advocacy, activities, and social opportunities.
• Shine Magazine A bi-monthly publication sharing real-life stories, features, memories and health tips of older people in Leeds, delivered personally to nearly 5,000 older people including those in 16 care homes who are at risk of social isolation and loneliness.
• BOSS (Be Online and Stay Safe) A digital inclusion programme helping older people aged 60+ develop media literacy skills and protect themselves from online disinformation, including workbooks, lesson plans, and video tutorials.
• Travel Connections A programme working with Leeds' transport sector to enable older people to travel independently, including the Travel with Confidence training, age and dementia friendly taxi initiatives, and Let's Talk Transport engagement.
• Enhance Programme A partnership programme providing person-centred, holistic support for people aged 50+ at home receiving community-based healthcare, working with Leeds Community Health services across five Neighbourhood Team areas.
• Good Practice Mentor A programme sharing learning and resources from the Ageing Better programme to help organisations provide collaborative local responses to social isolation and loneliness among older people.
• 1001 Stories A mass-participation storytelling project gathering 1001 stories from people aged 60+ connected to Leeds, creating artistic work in partnership with Leeds Playhouse and other cultural organisations.
• Driving Change Together A programme supporting older drivers to make informed decisions about driving retirement, including Mature Driver Appraisals and an awareness campaign on road safety.
• Creative Healthy Ageing A programme developing creative approaches to delivering healthy ageing messages through community-based engagement, working with The Performance Ensemble and funded by Leeds City Council Public Health.
• Time Well Spent A workbook-based resource designed to help individuals approaching or experiencing retirement reflect on identity, purpose, wellbeing, relationships and future aspirations.
• Winter Finance Support Information and resources to help older people access financial support during winter months, including guidance on Pension Credit and other benefits.
• Older People and Food Insecurity Programme Research and advocacy programme addressing food insecurity among older people in Leeds, including reports and recommendations for addressing the issue.
• Age Proud Leeds A campaign raising awareness of ageism and challenging negative attitudes around ageing, including the Wise Up To Ageism training sessions and Age Friendly Ambassador programme.
• Older People's Hub An equality hub ensuring older people's voices are heard by city decision-makers, hosting monthly themed meetings at Age UK Leeds with speakers and city leaders.
• Men's Health Unlocked A city-wide network connecting and supporting people working with men in Leeds to address men's health inequalities, coordinated through Forum Central.
• International Day of Older People (IDOP) Annual celebration in Leeds promoting positive views of old age, older people's participation in decisions affecting their lives, and challenging barriers to independence and equality.
• Warm & Cosy Programme distributing grant funding to organisations supporting vulnerable older people aged 65+ through the cost of living crisis with immediate crisis measures.
• Age Friendly Ambassador Programme Volunteer programme encouraging change and raising awareness by spreading the Age Friendly message to others to help make Leeds an Age Friendly city.
• LOPF Membership Network Membership of over 80 third sector organisations, voluntary groups and community organisations working with older people in health, care or wellbeing across Leeds, providing access to Forum Central, Board eligibility, training, and sector representation.
• People's History of Leeds Heritage project funded by the Heritage Lottery, partnering with Leeds Museums and Galleries to document the stories of older people in Leeds.
• Manifesto for Change Policy document amplifying the needs and concerns of older people in Leeds to influence politicians and policy-makers, covering social care, prevention, voice, and age as a protected characteristic.
• Research Support Services for Academics Consultancy service enabling older individuals to participate in research studies, offering expertise in pre-research design, participant engagement, and dissemination.

Quantifiable outcome

• Time to Shine programme engaged more than 150,000 people over seven years
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

28 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Forum CentralcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Partnership between LOPF, Volition, PSI Network, and Tenfold delivering collective voice for health and care third sector in Leeds. Forum Central connects third sector organisations and has membership network of around 300 health and care third sector organisations.
• VolitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMental health focused partner within Forum Central partnership delivering collective voice for health and care third sector
• Leeds City CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner for age-friendly city initiatives including Age Friendly Leeds. Funded through Adults & Health and Public Health departments. Works with Local Care Partnerships.
• Centre for Ageing BettercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner working to apply evidence of 'what works' to create a better later life for older residents and tackle social and health inequalities. Five-year partnership on age-friendly homes, transport, neighbourhoods and employment.
• NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealth partner working with Forum Central on strategic developments, policy and ways of working across health and social care
• Leeds Community Healthcare NHS TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on Enhance programme providing person-centred, holistic support for people at home receiving community-based healthcare with 4 third sector delivery partners
• Healthwatch LeedssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerThird sector partner within Forum Central network providing consumer voice for health and care services
• Voluntary Action LeedssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerThird sector partner within Forum Central network supporting voluntary sector in Leeds
• The William Merritt CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on Driving Change Together project examining sensitive decision of how and when to retire from driving. Providing mature driver appraisal through approved instructors.
• 100% Digital LeedscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on BOSS (Be Online and Stay Safe) programme delivering digital inclusion for older people through media literacy skills development
• HamarasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerDelivery partner for BOSS programme working with Muslim community to bridge digital divide
• Health for AllsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerDelivery partner for BOSS and Enhance programmes supporting diverse communities with digital literacy and health outcomes
• Feel Good FactorsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerDelivery partner for BOSS digital inclusion programme
• Leeds Irish Health and HomessupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerDelivery partner for BOSS programme supporting Irish community with digital literacy
• TouchstonesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerDelivery partner for BOSS programme supporting diverse communities
• Good Practice Mentor PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with South Yorkshire Housing Association, Age UK Camden, and Torbay Community Development Trust sharing legacy learning from Ageing Better programme on reducing social isolation and loneliness
• The Performance EnsemblecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreative partner on 1001 Stories mass-participation project for Leeds 2023 Year of Culture and Creative Healthy Ageing programme
• Leeds PlayhousecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on 1001 Stories project putting voices, histories and stories of older people centre-stage, including takeover event April-May 2023
• Leeds Museums and GalleriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on 1001 Stories project and People's History of Leeds heritage project
• LEEDS 2023coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural partner on 1001 Stories mass-participation project as part of Leeds Year of Culture 2023
• Age UK LeedscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDelivery partner for Travel with Confidence programme and hosts Older People’s Hub meetings
• South Yorkshire Housing AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGood Practice Mentor partner sharing learning on social isolation and loneliness from Ageing Better programme
• Age UK CamdencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGood Practice Mentor partner sharing learning on social isolation and loneliness from Ageing Better programme
• Torbay Community Development TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGood Practice Mentor partner sharing learning on social isolation and loneliness from Ageing Better programme
• DWPsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerDepartment for Work and Pensions administering Pension Credit passporting benefit and Winter Fuel Payment referenced in LOPF's Winter Finance Support programme
• Leeds Beckett UniversitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner collaborating on projects including cost benefit analysis evaluation of Enhance Year 3
• York St John’s UniversitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner collaborating on studies that drive real-world change for older people
• University of SheffieldsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner collaborating on studies that drive real-world change for older people

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/peopleshistoryleeds
• Instagraminstagram.com/peopleshistoryleeds

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Leeds Older People's Forum