FAQ

How old do I have to be before I can join?

You must be aged 60 or over before you can join OPAL.

I live in Leeds 16, does that mean I can join?

If you live in Leeds 16 north of the ring road then yes. If you live elsewhere in Leeds, there is another neighbourhood network scheme that supports older people in your area. See Useful Links.

To give you a rough idea, OPAL covers:

LS16 6 which includes the Raynel estate, Farrar Lane and the New Adel Lane area.

LS16 7 which is the area surrounding the OPAL office and including part of Adel and Cookridge.

LS16 8 which is the area of Adel the other side of Otley Road.

LS16 9 which is Bramhope.

Link to Coverage Map

How do I join?

You need to complete an OPAL membership form which you can do online by clicking HERE, or downloading it as a Word Document or PDF File.

Alternatively, call or drop in to the OPAL office we will send you a membership form to complete.

Then need to return the membership form with £10 membership fee. You will be given a membership card and you will have full access to OPAL’s activities and services.

Why do you charge an annual membership fee?

Like many other organisations in the voluntary sector, OPAL’s funding is insecure. We apply for many grants throughout the year but are finding it increasingly difficult. There are fewer Trusts who will funding for staff costs and, we are frequently asked to show how we are trying to be self sustaining.

The members voted in the 07 AGM that an annual membership fee would offer OPAL increased security and show potential funders that we are doing everything possible to help ourselves.

Where do you get your funding?

We get our core funding from Leeds Social Services and Leeds Primary Care Trust. Other funding comes from charitable trusts, the Area Committees, small government funds, donations from OPAL friends and local businesses and we charge for most of our activities.

What are the benefits of being an OPAL member?

As an OPAL member, you will have full access to our Activities and Services.

You will receive our bimonthly newsletter which is packed full of useful information, a quiz, our latest social events and much more.

If you are lonely or isolated, we can support you in many ways to help you reengage with your local community or, if you are housebound, we will try and find someone to regularly visit you. We work with you and in your own way.

We can help to make sure that you are claiming all the benefits for which you are eligible, that your home has been checked for security and fire safety and that you know of all the grants, support groups and social groups that are available to you.