The VIP partnership is the one of the most important ways that Bristol City Council (BCC) formally consults with older people.
The partnership is made up of leading equalities organisations across Bristol. BOPF are one of the key partners. As a member you can benefit from all the combined expertise, support and influence.
Launch of the BOPF Voice and Influence Partnership (VIP) Community Fund
Applications closed on 9 November 2020
white
Bristol Older People’s Forum (BOPF) is pleased to announce it is inviting bids from community groups that support older people in the city. We will be allocating small grants to a number of groups of up to £400 from the total of £3,000 available. The grants are part of our Voice and Influence Partnership work, which is aimed at empowering older people, as well as challenging ageism and ageist stereotypes. We are particularly keen to promote projects that are intergenerational, enable older people to be part of decision-making, address loneliness and isolation, and are innovative.
The small grants available can either kick start a new idea or sustain an existing service, and will cover the period December 2020 – April 2021. We will offer project development support to successful projects, as well as advice and feedback to projects that were not selected for funding. We will also encourage project participants to become members of BOPF.
If you represent a community group that supports older people in Bristol, and can meet any of these criteria, you are very welcome to bid for the funding available.
White
To apply please read the Information and Guidance document below and then complete the application form. There is an online application form and an electronic Word version which you can post or email back to us.
- BOPF VIP Community Fund – Information and Guidance
- BOPF VIP Community Fund – Application Form as a Word document
You have the option of joining VIP when you join BOPF – it’s free!
VIP welcomes people who are:
- Over 55
- A member of a faith group
- Identify as disabled
- Are from a minority ethnic group
- Identify as LGBTQ+
‘Finally, something is being done! We are working together for some cohesive action through the VIP partnership.’
East Park Resident Elder
As a VIP member you can:
- Receive a regular VIP newsletter
- Receive invitations to free events like the BOPF Open Forum meetings and question and question/challenge the council on a range of important issues
- Get support for your group through BOPF or one of the other partners (The Care Forum, The Centre for Deaf and Hard of Hearing, OTR Freedom, WECIL and SARI)
- Be part of an independent partnership to influence Bristol City Council and other public bodies.
- Be kept informed on how your contribution has made a difference.
- Link in to BOPF’s other work building a voice on Transport and Housing issues
‘By working together, we can make sure our diverse communities are part of local decision making.’
VIP member
Celebrating our first year’s VIP achievements
The first year 2018/19 of the Voice & Influence Partnership has been a successful one for BOPF.
We have developed an effective community work approach, which means that we visit local older people, we talk to them and most importantly we listen to their issues and concerns. We also support our VIP members and their community groups with grant applications, neighbourhood campaigning, project development advice and direct involvement in formal consultation – like our recent detailed and ongoing discussion around Clean Air and the Council Budget.
We have already reached our contracted VIP membership with two years of the initial partnership to run. This means we can focus on delivering high quality development work and increasing the number of older people participating and holding Bristol City Council to account.
No more shouting from the side lines! From toilets to transport, from climate change to wellbeing and health, we want VIP to make a difference!