Chairman's New Year's message & 2026 meeting dates

HDOPF Chairman, David Searle (centre) with Secretary, Derek Moore (right) and Committee member, Les Amstead (left)

CHAIRMAN'S NEW YEAR MESSAGE 2026

Thank you to all our supporters who attended the 2025 Forum Public Meetings in person or online, and to our sponsors for their support and generous contributions to the events.

Since taking over as Chairman of HDOPF, it has been a pleasure to receive your emails, speak with you at our events, and learn more about the issues affecting older people's lives.  I hope the actions we have taken have provided some comfort, and we look forward to seeing you all again in 2026.

We have a full program of public meetings for 2026, and below are the dates and venues.  I will confirm the final date of the Steyning meeting in June. Once approved, we will publish the list of guest speakers, which I am sure you will find engaging and informative. 

Please note in your diaries our 2026 Public meeting dates. All start at 10 am and are free to attend either in person or via Zoom.

Tuesday 13th January 2026 - AGM & Committee meeting - Age UK Lavinia House - no Guest speakers

Tuesday 21st April 2026 - Red Oaks Care Home, Henfield.

Tuesday 9th or 16th June 2026 - Steyning Centre, Steyning.

Tuesday 1st September 2026 - Broadbridge Park Care Home,

Broadbridge Heath, Horsham.

Friday 4th December 2026 - John Milne MP, Question Time,

Brighton Road Baptist Church Hall, Brighton Road, Horsham

Finally, on behalf of the HDOPF committee and myself, I wish you a happy New Year and a healthy 2026.

Kind regards

David Searle 

Chairman

Horsham District Older Peoples Forum

MP Question Time with Andrew Griffith, MP for Arundel & South Downs, Pulborough Village Hall, 5th December 2025.

The Horsham District Older Peoples Forum (HDOPF) is an independent, non-political, voluntary group that is free to attend and participate in. It acts as the 'ears' and gives a 'voice' to people aged 60 and over who reside in the Horsham District Council area or care for someone who is. The forum is open to anyone to raise issues affecting local older people. The Forum holds quarterly public meetings within the district. We take action where possible on issues raised, e.g., by engaging with local councils or with a project. We also act as an information hub and consultative group for anyone seeking the views of older people in the district on particular plans, topics, or schemes that may affect older people. 

The Forum is working towards an 'Age-Friendly' and 'Dementia Friendly' Horsham.