OPAL aims to reduce loneliness and isolation of older people living in Leeds 16, as well as improving the quality of their lives by enabling them to live independently, safely and healthily. We support over 700 older people and our services include:

Practical support:

Shopping trips using a wheelchair accessible minibus and volunteers to give assistance; Volunteer transport scheme to enable older people to access social activities and appointments; 

Emotional support:

Dementia project for people affected by memory problems giving them peer support, information and coping strategies; Friendly visiting scheme; Home visits by staff members to give support and broad based assessments; Phone Link where isolated older people are phoned regularly to check on their wellbeing; Carers and Cared for Group to give peer support; Bereavement Support; Welfare Checks

Digital Support:

Computer, iPad, Tablet and mobile phone lessons giving one to one tuition, group lessons and a digital drop-in session.

​Intergenerational projects:

Social events for older people and students.

Health and Wellbeing:

Our three Luncheon Clubs ensure around 100 older people get a hot nutritious meal each week. We also have a range of exercise classes including Tai chi, yoga, chair exercise, gentle exercise classes, table tennis and dance. All are fabulous forms of exercise and are attended by 100 OPAL members each week.

Social activities:

All our activities offer a great opportunity to meet people and socialise. We also organise day trips using wheelchair accessible transport and have staff and volunteers available to give assistance to people who need it.  We also have a weekly games group and Friday Social and the Men’s Group go on a monthly day trip.

​Information Service:

We have a bimonthly newsletter providing details about social activities and useful information for older people; Our drop-in centre is open 5 mornings a week where older people can come for support, get help filling out forms, making phone calls or to get details of trusted local tradespeople and other information they need; We also provide phone help and benefits support.