Our 3-year plan 2024-2027
Four ways SOPA works to achieve its aims
SOPA delivers an annual Assembly, parliamentary receptions, events, outreach and consultations
SOPA campaigns against stereotyping of older people take up issues of concern to members and support the campaigns of partner organisations
SOPA partners with universities, academics and research bodies
SOPA is a member of the Older People’s Strategic Action Forum (OPSAF), Cross Party groups, the Age-friendly Communities UK Network and Unforgotten Forces Consortium
Overview of 3-Year Objectives
Create a powerful network of engagement by:
- Campaign on relevant issues identified by our Members and guided by Member working groups (working groups to be chaired by a Trustee) create accompanying campaigns. We will also encourage advocacy within our membership at a local level.
- Celebrate the positive contribution Older People make to communities and society in Scotland Raise SOPA’s profile with a balanced focus on retention and engagement with the membership facilitated by the introduction of a hub for members
- Build the organisation and strengthen our processes to ensure eɬective coherent governance to protect the future of the charity (including funding).
Objectives
How will we do it?
- involving, engaging and listening to the membership.
- prioritising relevant issues (through our Annual Assembly and Survey) which SOPA will campaign on.
- holding an Annual Assembly to debate our priorities and current issues as well as celebrate the contribution of older people in Scotland
- sharing our Annual Assembly report plus survey results with our membership and political parties across Scotland.
- forming working groups which will help shape SOPA’s actions.
- engaging with all political parties to secure commitment to the priorities identified
- playing an active role in Older People’s Strategic Action Forum (OPSAF) and the Cross-Party Group for Older People, Age and Ageing.
- attending and participating in other key government groups
- arranging outreach sessions with members and older people to involve them in the work of SOPA and the key priorities.
- holding an annual parliamentary reception concentrating on our current priorities and celebrating the contribution of older people in Scotland.
- publicising our campaigns to the wider community.
- creating and monitoring an impact assessment aligned to our purpose and measuring outcomes against our actions.
How will we do it?
- Involving, engaging and listening to the membership.
- Prioritising relevant issues (through our Annual Assembly and Survey) which SOPA will campaign on.
- Holding an Annual Assembly to debate our priorities and current issues as well as celebrate the contribution of older people in Scotland.
- Sharing our Annual Assembly report plus survey results with our membership and political parties across Scotland.
- Forming working groups which will help shape SOPA’s actions.
- Engaging with all political parties to secure commitment to the priorities identified.
- Playing an active role in Older People’s Strategic Action Forum (OPSAF) and the Cross-Party Group for Older People, Age and Ageing.
- Attending and participating in other key government groups.
- Arranging outreach sessions with members and older people to involve them in the work of SOPA and the key priorities.
- Holding an annual parliamentary reception concentrating on our current priorities and celebrating the contribution of older people in Scotland.
- Publicising our campaigns to the wider community.
- Creating and monitoring an impact assessment aligned to our purpose and measuring outcomes against our actions.
How will we do it?
- developing our work on Age-friendly Communities in Scotland with the target of supporting Scotland
to become an Age-friendly Nation by promoting the WHO Decade of Healthy Ageing and International Day of Older Persons (1st October) - building on our campaign of celebrating the contribution of Older People to Scotland through case studies, blogs and news provided by members.
- helping to bring about a positive change in the language, images and signage used to describe Older People by collating resources
How will we do it?
- Partnering with Age Scotland we will work to explain the benefits of appointing an Older People’s Champion in each local Authority
- Continuing to highlight the role of the Older People’s Champions at our events
providing support to SOPA members who wish to contact their local authority about the appointment of an Older People’s Champion. - Continuing to work with Age Scotland to maintain an Older People’s Champion network.
How will we do it?
- setting up a working group on membership to increase membership and encourage diversity and inclusion
- holding 4 x member meetings each year- this will include event and Assembly planning and other issues.
- holding 4 x outreach meetings each year to promote SOPA’s work and gather feedback.
- acting as a hub for our members’ news and events – this will be done through our website, newsletter, and social media.
- committing not to digitally exclude our members
How will we do it?
- developing our research partnership with Strathclyde University on Ageing and Communication.
- helping to share key findings from the University of Strathclyde, School of Psychology as a partner to their Catalyst project (positive changes during and beyond COVID).
- engaging as a research partner with others on a case-by-case basis.
How will we do it?
- maintaining a clear focus on good governance, realistic and achievable goals, partnerships and investing in our team.
- supporting the active and inclusive participation of our members.
seeking funding to increase our scope and develop our project-based work to diversify our reach and increase our presence. - continuing to develop our membership.
- continuing to build our close ties with partner organisations.
- ensuring we do makes a difference through monitoring and evaluation.
Monitoring and Evaluation
The Board monitors our performance and reports regularly on progress to our funders. We will also seek to evaluate the medium and longer-term impact of our work in delivering objectives.