The Cymru Older Peoples Alliance (COPA) is a national charity, supported by the Welsh Government, dedicated to making sure that the voices of older people’s forums and groups are heard across Wales. COPA acts as a bridge, bringing together the views, opinions, and concerns of local older people, and ensuring there is a two-way dialogue between local communities and national decision-makers.
Why Is This Important?
For the interests of older people to be properly represented and for national decisions to reflect their needs, it’s vital to have a dynamic process that allows local forums to have their say at the national level. COPA provides a conduit for issues affecting older people to be raised with Ministers, civil servants, the Commissioner for Older People, and a variety of other national bodies.
How We Amplify Local Voices
One of COPA’s key methods is the bi-monthly Forum Representatives Group meetings. This group brings together COPA Trustees, as well as Chairs, Vice Chairs, and members from local forums and groups from across Wales. Established in 2020, the group discusses a wide range of topics and hears from various guest speakers. The insights and outcomes from these meetings directly inform COPA’s campaigns, consultation responses, and national representation.
At the national level, COPA officers and trustees attend a range of groups to represent the concerns of older people on the basis of members views, research findings, outcome of COPA survey etc:
- Ministerial Advisory Forum on Ageing in Wales
- Cross Party Group on Older People and Ageing
- Age Cymru’s Consultative Forum
- Welsh Government Working Group on Age Discrimination
- Commissioner for Older People National Organisations Chair’s Group
- Commissioner’s Group for Age Friendly Communities
- Commissioner for Older People – Abuse Action Group
- Commissioner for Older People – Community of Practice
- Ad hoc subject specific consultations
Who are our Audience?
The key stakeholders – the attached diagram is presented for discussion and comparison between localities around Wales and at the National Level.
Opportunities for Partnership Working
There are a range of opportunities for Forum Representatives to work in partnership with others to ensure the local voice is heard and acted upon:
- Attending Forum Representatives meetings
- Working with COPA on issues where you have experience and /or an interest
- Responding/ engage with national and local consultations
- Riase issues with your Senedd Members or Local Councillors or Town/Community Council – at appropriate level for concern
- Work with Age Cymru partner organisations regionally or Age Connects
- Work with Council Age Friendly Lead or Champion
- Work with other local older people’s groups or Forums in region
- Utilise the Age Cymru Forum Resource Manual Age Cymru ¦ Forum Resource Manual
This paper has outlined some of the mechanisms utilised to ensure the views, opinions and concerns of older people are considered at the local and national level. It is designed to facilitate discussion and to prompt Forums how they could move forward on partnership and collaboration. Ideas and examples would be welcomed.