Influencing Conference 2022 - Getting Through A Difficult Winter

This year’s conference will focus on what the new Prime Minister’s priorities will mean for older people, and for Age UK, and the opportunities, both locally and nationally, to influence change.

We will be examining the multiple challenges older people face and sharing ideas, evidence and practical ways to improve their lives. We’ll hear from local Age UKs and policy experts on topics such as the cost of living crisis, digital exclusion, tackling health inequalities through targeted approaches to black and minority ethnic older people, and working with ICSs, sharing tips from across the network. We will also consider the very difficult winter ahead for local Age UKs, as energy prices soar, and what we can do to help through our influencing activity.

The agenda for the day is below and will be updated with speakers soon.

Following the success of last year’s virtual conference, this year the conference will also take place online. To receive the links to access the online sessions please click 'Register' and provide your name and email address.

We know that it’s a very busy time, so please feel free to pick and choose the sessions you want to attend during the day. The conference is open to all local Age UK CEOs, relevant members of staff and Trustees.

AGENDA

Welcome and housekeeping 10:00 – 10:05

The conference will begin with a welcome from the Chairs of the Influencing Committee, Abi Wood of Age UK London and Nicola Upton of Age UK Sutton.

Opening Plenary 10:05 - 11:00

What challenges face the new government and how can we best influence them in support of older people and of local Age UKs?

With a new Government and big challenges facing it on all fronts, this plenary will discuss what we can do to campaign most effectively in support of older people, especially those on low incomes, and in support of our network of local Age UKs on which so many older people depend.

Speakers:

Lalitha Try, Resolution Foundation

Sam Mercadante, National Council for Voluntary Organisations

Caroline Abrahams CBE, Age UK

BREAK 11:00 – 11:15

Workshops 11:15 – 12:00

Workshop A

Influencing locally on Digital Exclusion

This workshop will look at how older people are people being excluded from daily life and public services through digital-first or digital-only approaches. We’ll hear examples of influencing activity and services to tackle digital exclusion at a local level will be presented.

Speakers:

Sally West, Age UK, Policy

Robert Smith, Age UK Shropshire

Michael Wordingham, Royal National Institute of Blind People

Khadija Raza, Royal National Institute of Blind People

Workshop B: Tackling health inequalities through targeted engagement with black and minority older people

This workshop will consider the health inequalities which exist amongst older people from black and minority ethnic groups and why targeted engagement is important, with insights from the Health Foundation. We’ll hear from Age UK Bradford and Age UK Camden on how they’ve engaged older black and minority ethnic groups in their communities to address health inequity.

Speakers:

Professor Dawn Edge, Health Foundation, Governor

Joanne Stapleton, Age UK Camden

Mark Rounding, Age UK Bradford

Erksine Grant, Bradford African Caribbean Elders (BACE) group

LUNCH 12:00 – 13:00

Second Plenary

How can we best support older people through the energy crisis? 13:00 – 13:45

With the rising prices of energy, food and fuel having huge implications on older people’s lives and the ability of the voluntary sector to support them, we will hear from Age UK Scarborough & District on how they are supporting older people. National Energy Action and Age UK’s Senior Policy Manager will talk about the short-term support needed from Government and what long-term measures could prevent this problem in the future.

Speakers:

Eorann Lean, Age UK National

Neil Bradbury Age UK Scarborough & District

Matt Copeland, National Energy Action

BREAK 13:45 – 14:00

Final Plenary

How can we work with Integrated Care Systems to alleviate winter pressures? 14:00 – 14:50

With winter bringing extra challenges for older people and adding to already huge pressures on health and care services, this session looks at how local Age UKs can engage successfully with the developing Integrated Care Systems. We’ll consider how local Age UKs can position themselves to influence how services are designed and commissioned to keep older people safe and well, this winter and beyond. We’ll also hear from The King’s Fund and from the Age UK Health Influencing team about the challenges facing older people this winter, and how these can best be met.

Speakers:

Jonathon Holmes, Kings Fund

Lis Boulton, Age UK, Health Influencing

Louise Jackson, Age UK, Health Influencing

Julian Lloyd, Age UK Hillingdon, Harrow and Brent

Closing remarks 14:50 – 15:00

Reflections on the day led by Abi Wood and Nicola Upton