About us
In 2007 Chichester and District Older People’s Partnership (ChOPP) was established. It is a partnership of voluntary, statutory and community organisations/forums committed to working together to improve the health and wellbeing of older people within the Chichester District area.
ChOPP is an initiative of the Healthier Chichester Partnership, part of Chichester in Partnership.The Healthier Chichester Partnership decided to establish ChOPP as it had identified a need to focus on the health and wellbeing of older people. The District covers over 300 square miles and is predominantly rural. The rural nature of the District coupled with the large percentage of older people living there has meant that ensuring good access to services and reducing isolation are important priorities.
‘Chichester has the highest concentration of pensioners in England and Wales, with more than 32%.’
BBC News Story, August 22nd 2008
Ensuring that older people’s voices are heard and that older people are given the opportunity to be involved in the development of services and policies has been a priority since the inception of the partnership.
The first choPP meeting was held in March 2007 and the partnership has gone from strength to stength with over 180 organisations now represented through our circulation to over 250 members.
Aims of the partnership
- Develop a partnership of older people and relevant organisations and to encourage collaborative working.
- Work within the principles of the Partnership for Older People Project (POPP) model, reflecting the identity of a Neighbourhood Care Alliance.
- Identify need and develop, implement, monitor and evaluate an action plan to reflect need.
- Have a communication role, to ensure that information and expertise is shared across all members.
- Act as a forum where older peoples’ views will be heard in relation to organisational strategies and policies that impact on older people.
- Provide networking opportunities for the strengthening and development of older person forums and existing project groups.
- Focus on action and achievements that aim to benefit the health and wellbeing of older people.
- Provide the opportunity to reduce duplication between agencies and improve partnership working for health and wellbeing.
- Ensure that all localities within the Chichester District, both urban and rural, benefit from the partnership actions.
Meetings are also an opportunity to share information on projects and good ideas being developed in your own organisation and to meet others working in the area.
The team
ChOPP has a staff team dedicated to support ChOPP member groups and to work in the community to achieve our aims.
If you run a group or service for older people, or are interested in starting one in your neighbourhood, then ChOPP can help you with:
- Opportunities to meet and network with other groups
- Direct support with fundraising applications
- Business advice and support
- Opportunities to recruit volunteers
- Advice and support with publicity and marketing
Find out more about the ChOPP staff team.
Governance
A Steering Group meets quarterly and oversees the development of the ChOPP and the work of its staff teams. Current members include:
- Voluntary and Community Action Chichester District
- Action in Rural Sussex
- Chichester District Council
- West Sussex County Council
- West Sussex Primary Care Trust
- Age Concern West Sussex
- Chichester and District Senior Forum
- Headlight
- ChOPP representatives
To find out more about how the ChOPP is organised, read our Terms of Reference.
Membership
If you run or know of a group that could benefit from ChOPP membership, please contact Doreen Barry.