2023 Assembly
The Assembly took place on Monday 9th October 2023 at the Technology and Innovation Centre, University of Strathclyde, 99 George Street, Glasgow G1 1RD.
The programme for this year's SOPA Assembly
- Welcome (recorded) by Emma Roddick MSP, Minister for Minister for Equalities, Migration and Refugees
- Keynote speech by Jason Leitch, National Clinical Director, Healthcare Quality and Improvement.
- Cross-party Q & A Panel of MSPs - Jeremy Balfour MSP, Colin Smyth MSP, Michelle Thomson MSP
- Members’ statements
- Workshops
- Debate
- Stalls
We are looking forward to a great day and seeing you there.
2022 Assembly
The 2022 Scottish Older People's Assembly took place on Wednesday 5 October at the Perth Concert Hall. Thank you to all our Speakers and all our Members who made the journey to Perth.
Our Assembly Speakers for 2022 included, Professor Russel Griggs OBE, Chair of South of Scotland Enterprise, Frank Gribben, Co-ordinator for the Unforgotten Forces, David Paterson, Trustee of SOPA and Councillor Elaine Thornton-Nicol, Older People’s Champion, Scottish Borders and Catriona Melville, Policy Engagement & Campaigns Officer, Age Scotland and Sheena Fortana, SOPA, Age-friendly Communities Development Worker.
Read the Report from the 2019 Assembly.
Films of the opening speeches and MSP Panel are available on the Scottish Parliament TV channel.
Read the reports from our previous Assemblies below:
2018 Assembly
The 2018 Assembly took place on Monday 23 April 2018 at the Scottish Parliament.
SOPA Annual Report 2017/18 which includes a review of the Assembly.
Keynote Speeches and Question Time
Jeane Freeman OBE MSP, Minister for Social Security, Clare Adamson MSP, Tom Berney Chair, Scottish Older People's Assembly
2016 Assembly
The 2016 Assembly took place on the 25th November in the Debating Chamber of the Scottish Parliament.
View the Programme for the 2016 Assembly.
See 2016 December Newsletter for more detail.
2015 Assembly
Workshop Feedback Video - Click here
MSP Responses to feedback - Click here
Questions to MSPs from the floor - Click here
MSP Panel - Rhoda Grant, Christian Allard and Dennis Robertson
BBC Scotland Radio Interview
Tom Berney and Val Bissland were interviewed briefly on the Kaye Adams Programme on BBC Radio Scotland before the Assembly. They highlighted the role of older people in creating a fairer society. Click here to listen.
2014 Assembly
SOPA 2014 Report Read about the year's activities and the Action points from the 2014 Assembly.
Watch the 2 minute clip on STV News: Committee members Donald Macleod, Betty Milton and Tim Puntis state what they believe to be important and SOPA chair Tom Berney talks about the recurring themes that have arisen in dialogue with older people around the country and his hopes for the Assembly.
Listen to the BBC Radio Scotland Interview with Tom Berney on Crossfire (with background film footage of the Assembly and Summer Campaign)
Read the Scotsman Article on the Assembly. Shona Robison has vowed to fight for fairness for senior citizens. "In seeking to harness empower older people, we must do all we can to ensure their rights are fully protected, respected and realised."
Read the Sunday Post article on the Mentoring project involving older adults. Tom Berney said: “It is vital that children throughout Scotland get this chance to benefit from older people’s skills and experience. It needs to be available to all pupils.
Read the action plan that emerged from the six workshops
Watch the feedback presented in the Debating Chamber of the Scottish Parliament from the Assembly workshops (Edited - 6 minutes approx.)
2013 Assembly
