Supporting older people to live happy, healthy, informed lives in their own homes.
OPAL (Older People's Action in the Locality) is a registered charity and was established in January 2002 as part of the Leeds Neighbourhood Network schemes. We support older people within the Cookridge, Tinshill, Adel and Bramhope areas to live safe, healthy, independent lives without isolation. This is achieved through a range of services and activities including advice, information, advocacy, social and healthy activities and home support. Update Mon 30th March 2020 - As well as supporting our members, OPAL are supporting our wider community, as the Leeds City Council designated COVID-19 Hub for Leeds 16. OPAL have suspended all social activities & the Welcome In Community Centre & Cafe is closed to visitors. We are still operating to support our members at this difficult time please phone 0113 261 9103.
Why the community needs usHaving purchased the Bedford Arms public house in 2015 and converting it to the Welcome In Community Centre in January 2017 we are fund-raising to complete the renovation. This space has made a huge difference to OPAL & the local community as it means we have secure premises for the future, we can operate more efficiently & we now provide a place for local people & organisations to meet, use & enjoy the space. This includes the Welcome In cafe open to the public Wed to Fri 9am to 2pm.
Our impact on the communityWe're excited about the potential of the Welcome In Community Centre, not just for older people but for the wider community too. We have raised £500,000 to date through donations, fundraising, grants & loans & have recently completed the Sunshine Room. We have £21000 of the £80,000 needed to refurbish our final room, the Bar Room. See https://opal-project.org.uk/index.php/blogs-and-news/263-fund-raising for more details. We aim to start the works in Jun 2020 subject to availability of supplies.
We need people who are good listeners, patient & like people to visit someone in their own home & spending an hour a week with them. We need drivers to provide transport to social events/appointments on an ad hoc basis or as a regular commitment.
