Are you aware of the Horsham District Older Peoples Forum Public Meetings?

Why should you be? The Horsham District Older Peoples Forum (HDOPF) is a non-political local voluntary group that acts as the ‘ears’ and ‘voice’ for older people aged 60 + living in the district and anyone who cares for someone who is. The group holds free to attend, quarterly public meetings, held at venues around our district such as village halls or community centres, as well as being attended online through Zoom. One of our meetings is also our popular ‘MP Question Time’ event with one of our two local MPs attending to answer questions. The next being Friday, 5th December 25, with Andrew Griffith MP at Pulborough Village Hall.

What else does the Forum do that might be of interest to you?

At our public meetings, time is given for any issues affecting local older people to be raised. At one meeting, the dangers associated with the mishandling of mobility scooters were raised, including the risk of injury inside shops and the potential harm caused to other shoppers and pedestrians. Research showed that both users and pedestrians have been killed and seriously injured by mobility scooters. It was also found that there is little or no training available or given on how to operate a scooter safely. We took on the challenge, under the leadership of David Searle, our current Chairman, by setting up our Mobility Scooter User Safety Training. Our volunteer instructors, who were trained at the Queen Elizabeth Foundation, now provide free training sessions for local older people around the district.

Our public meetings are well-supported and attended by our local Neighbourhood, Parish, District, and County Councillors. They are keen to be aware of any local issues that they may not already be aware of (very few), and at the same time, they are fountains of knowledge when questions are raised. Local health professionals also support our meetings and give valuable input. Would your organisation send a representative to contribute their knowledge and keep us informed on the challenges faced by Care Homes and/or Home Care providers?  

Our eminent guest speakers address current issues. Our last meeting in Henfield, Cllr Mark Baynham, HDC Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, spoke to us about the proposed merger of local Councils, including HDC, into a Sussex-wide Unitary Authority with an elected Mayor.

Laura Robertson from NHS Sussex usually attends to answer questions and provides an update on the current situation regarding our local NHS services, including issues such as GP appointments, pharmacies, vaccinations, and more. This has become a vital part of our meetings, especially during the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.

We also have guest speakers on local activities and support. At Henfield, we had a talk about the activities of the Henfield Computer Help Club and its ever growing popularity.

Following the public meetings, a Forum Newsletter is widely circulated. These can also be seen on our website Posts. You can subscribe to receive our newsletters on our website.

Is your Care home or Home Care service listed on the Forum website?    If not, please let us know if you would like to be included.

Would you be interested in raising the profile of your Care home and/or Home Care service with local older people or those who care for them?

The Forum is self-funding, i.e., through the sale of tickets from the local HDC Community lottery. Our March 2025 meeting in Henfield was sponsored by Ascot Care, who kindly also assisted with teas & coffees and were able to give a short presentation about their services. Their £100 sponsorship covered the cost of refreshments and hall hire.

If your company would like to know more about the Forum, send a representative or quickly take the opportunity to book to sponsor one of our three remaining 2025 public meetings (July, September & December), then please get in touch with the Forum Chairman, David Searle, either through the Forum website or hdopforum@gmail.com