OPeN is a collective voice of older people in Croydon. The Network aims to enable Croydon’s older people to come together to discuss issues that matter to them and to influence service planning and delivery. OPeN influences services by the lived experiences of older people themselves and acts as a platform to raise issues with policy makers and other agencies, campaign for positive change and improve local engagement.

Since 2001 its membership has grown to 450 older people who attend quarterly meetings in Croydon Town Centre where guest speakers give presentations covering topics such as freedom passes, health and hospital, care and dementia services, housing and energy to name but a few; as well as regular mailouts.

15 elected representatives attend the monthly OPeN Planning Group and sit on themed partnerships such as Transport, Health, Police, Social Services and Voluntary Sector committees. Bi-annual elections are open to all members.  Representatives from OPeN also sit on the London Assembly’s London Older people’s Strategy Group and the Greater London Forum for Older People.

OPeN also produces a regular newsletter, to dowload clickhere

As a result of vigorous campaigning across the UK by organisations similar to OPeN, the Government has granted older people protection from discrimination as consumers with the Single Equality Act banning ageism in the provision of goods, facilities and services); followed hard on its heels by a rise in the Winter Fuel Payment to £50 for those over 65 and £100 for those over 80. This is why older people take part in OPeN.