Older People's Strategic Action Forum minutes: September 2025

Attendees and apologies

• Minister for Equalities, Directorate General Communities
• Scottish Government official, Directorate General Communities
• Scottish Government official, Directorate General Communities 
• Chief Executive, Generations Working Together 
• Wellbeing Manger, Glasgow Disability Alliance 
• Community Response Officer, We Are Hourglass 
• Development Officer, Scottish Pensioner’s Forum 
• Community Development Advisor, Outside the Box 
• Soroptimist 
• Associate Director for Policy, Communications and External Affairs, Age Scotland
• Chair, Unison
• Policy and Public Affairs Manager, Independent Age 
• Secretary, Soroptimist

Items and actions

Introduction 

The chair welcomed everyone to the group. 

Minutes

Members approved the minutes from the last meeting. 

Update on the commissioner for older people bill

The Minister provided the group with an update on the Commissioner for Older People Bill. 

The group were informed that the Scottish Government will hold their neutral position on the bill, subject to CSCL clearance. 

Future direction of Older People’s Strategic Action Forum (OPSAF) 

Members discussed improving OPSAF’s ability to contribute to major cross government issues affecting older people and suggested using the refresh of A Fairer Scotland for Older People to guide future thematic workshops held outside regular meetings. 

The Forum agreed to hold deep dive sessions on specific topics and to identify resulting actions and priority areas, with work to be progressed for discussion at the next OPSAF meeting.

Intergenerational return on social investment 

The forum received a presentation on improving quality, impact, longevity and sustainability in intergenerational work, and the Minister expressed interest in visiting an intergenerational project.

Any other business and closing 

Members noted concerns regarding an increase in racial discrimination affecting the safety of older people in communities. 

The Forum was informed that Scottish Older Peoples Assembly is recruiting new trustees. 

Action points 

• Members to meet to prepare an OPSAF action plan 
• Scottish Government to coordinate a deep dive session 
• Scottish Government to arrange a Ministerial visit to an intergenerational project