Ruth – Co-Chair of the Older People's Network
I’ve always believed that we’re stronger when we come together—when we share our stories, our time, and our skills across generations. That’s what "It’s Not About Me, It’s About Us!" is all about.
I’ve been encouraging people in my community to work together to improve the lives of older people. It starts with something as simple as a smile and a chat. From there, we can connect with each other, listen, and build stronger communities where everyone feels valued. Sometimes, that means being the only person speaking up — but even one voice can make a big difference.
Through my volunteering, I’ve helped to shape and grow the Older People's Network (OPN). It’s now a trusted space where older people, volunteers, professionals, and council staff come together. Everyone brings their own experiences, and everyone is welcomed. The volunteers that attend have helped us see things differently and made it possible support people in new, more personal ways, and it’s made our forum more open, creative, and people focused.
The network includes older people, local groups, service commissioners, and providers — all working side by side. That means we’ve built something with real knowledge and care behind it. Life can be challenging, but having this kind of community support makes a huge difference. The network has embraced a quality co-production approach from the start, aiming to operate as high up the ladder of co-production as possible reflecting a core value of the OPN.
People trust us because we’re consistent and honest. That trust is so important. It gives people the confidence to speak up, share their views, and feel like they’re part of something that matters.
Being Co-Chair of the OPN is a real privilege. It’s honestly amazing and life-affirming. It shows how sharing leadership can work well and bring people together to create real, positive change.
Volunteering has shown me how powerful we can be when we care for each other. "It’s Not About Me, It’s About Us!" is more than a phrase — it’s a way of living and working. When we take time to connect and listen, we create something special. And that starts right here, where we live, with the people around us.