Silvia Schehrer & Stephanie Sexton

The public debate focuses on older people’s needs

Older people are seen as a burden and a drain on limited public resources

Increasing life expectancy is perceived as a demographic time bomb

The contribution older people make to the social and economic life of London is not acknowledged and recognised

Re-balance public perception of older people as contributors rather than only recipients

Acknowledge the financial and economic contribution of older people

Challenge the discrepancy between rhetoric and practice of public bodies

Acknowledge the diversity of older people and the diversity of their contribution

Work with a broad coalition of other organisations

Celebrate older people’s contribution

Annual Week to highlight older people’s contribution to London

This would develop over time and consist of five main strands:

Engagement of older people Development of an evidence base Media Campaign Cross agency engagement Involvement and support from public

bodies

Mayor of London and GLA• adopt older people’s manifesto developed by Age

UK London and Greater London Forum for Older People

• Support Annual Contribution Week• Commission research into older people’s

contribution• Support intergenerational work

Transport for London• Freedom Pass• Seek older people’s involvement in review of

transport options for people with mobility problems Metropolitan Police• Engage with Age UK London and Greater London

Forum for Older People to replicate the contribution of older people to policing on a local level on a London wide basis

NHS London • Celebrate the contribution of older people

as volunteers to the NHS in London• Ensure older people are represented in new

NHS structures as they develop Local Authorities and London Councils• All London Local Authorities to take an

active part in the Annual Contribution Week• Continue to support older people

engagement at local and London-wide level Media• Promote and celebrate older people’s

contribution