Campaigns

The Shropshire Older Peoples Assembly (SOPA) was established in 2011 to confront and change the perception by older people in the county of Shropshire that their interests are being marginalised.

SOPA provides a forum for older people to play a key role in the Voluntary & Community Sector Assembly and to provide representation on bodies both within and outside Shropshire Council.

Find out more about SOPA

Across the country, forums are harnessing the skills, experience and abilities of older people to plan and deliver citizen-centred public services.

In 2000 Age Concern Shropshire Telford & Wrekin set up the first Shropshire Senior Citizens Forum in Shrewsbury. That has developed and grown, with forums across Shropshire now fully independent of us, linked together as an association.

For more information you can call them on 01743 891 833 or email them at shropshireseniors2015@talktalk.net

Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin set up and supports a forum for older people in Telford & Wrekin.

Now, with over 2200 members, the forum holds regular meetings and publishes its own newsletter. New members are welcome.

• Are you over 55?
• Are you interested in decisions that affect your daily life?
• Do you want the opportunity to have your say on policy issues and service development in Telford & Wrekin?
• Do you want to meet new people and share ideas?

For more information call 07932 828 333.

Visit the Telford & Wrekin Senior Citizens Forum website

Download the T&W Senior Citizens Forum Newsletter - October/November 2018 (PDF, 6.4MB)

The Blue Badge Scheme allows those people with a permanent and substantial disability who have very considerable difficulty in walking, to park in specially allocated parking spaces close to shops.

However, Shropshire Council interprets the eligibility criteria very strictly. Telford & Wrekin Council interprets the eligibility criteria with more leniency. Some older people in Shropshire who have difficulty walking have had their application to Shropshire Council for a Blue Badge turned down.

Our advocacy team is discussing the issue with the Council and Members of Parliament in the county and we would like to hear from anyone who has experienced difficulty, whether with Shropshire Council or Telford & Wrekin Council.

Contact Rob, Sharon or Geraldine, advocacy officers at the Shrewsbury office, on 01743 357 748.

Find out more about the Blue Badge Scheme in Shropshire

Find out more about national issues affecting older people and opportunities for you to have your say.

Age UK national campaigns