Older People'S New Opportunities Consortium (Opnocs)
Charity 1095932
Overview
Summary
OPNOCS appears to function as a low-cost, neighbourhood-based social infrastructure organisation for older people in south Birmingham. Its central role is not specialist care provision but creating repeated, accessible opportunities for friendship, routine and participation, while also acting as a light-touch information gateway on issues affecting later life. Its small membership model and geographically defined focus may enable familiarity and continuity, though the available evidence does not show its reach, member profile or outcomes.
Operational geography
Coverage: Multi Neighbourhood
Operational areas:
Evidence and reasoning
Supporting evidence
Billesley
Confidence: high
Direct evidence: OPNOCS's official website states that it provides community-based activities for older people in Billesley. The latest available 2023/24 trustees' report confirms that weekly coffee mornings, seated yoga and events were being delivered during that year.
- OPNOCS official website, About Us
OPNOCS states that it provides community-based activities in Billesley as one of its named South Birmingham areas. - OPNOCS trustees' annual report, year ended 30 September 2024
The report records continuing weekly seated yoga, a regularly attended coffee morning, trips and events.
Brandwood and Kings Heath
Confidence: medium
Direct evidence: OPNOCS explicitly names both Brandwood and Kings Heath among the areas where it provides activities. Council material identifies Brandwood and Kings Heath as the supplied ward, but the organisation does not itself describe its activity in ward-wide terms.
- OPNOCS official website, About Us
OPNOCS states that it provides community-based activities in Brandwood and Kings Heath. - Birmingham City Council, Brandwood and Kings Heath ward information
Birmingham City Council identifies Brandwood and Kings Heath as a current Birmingham ward.
Druids Heath and Monyhull
Confidence: medium
Direct evidence: OPNOCS explicitly identifies Druids Heath as an area where it provides community-based activities. Council material identifies Druids Heath and Monyhull as the supplied ward, but the organisation does not itself describe activity across the ward.
- OPNOCS official website, About Us
OPNOCS states that it provides community-based activities in Druids Heath. - Birmingham City Council, Druids Heath and Monyhull ward information
Birmingham City Council identifies Druids Heath and Monyhull as a current Birmingham ward.
Moseley
Confidence: high
Direct evidence: OPNOCS explicitly names Moseley as an area in which it provides community-based activities for older people.
- OPNOCS official website, About Us
OPNOCS states that it provides community-based activities in Moseley. - OPNOCS trustees' annual report, year ended 30 September 2024
The report confirms ongoing delivery of regular group activities and events by OPNOCS.
Highter’s Heath
Confidence: medium
Direct evidence identifies Warstock and Yardley Wood as OPNOCS service areas. Council material relates both named areas to the Highter's Heath locality and current ward geography, but the organisation does not itself use the current ward name or describe activity across the ward.
- OPNOCS official website, About Us
OPNOCS states that it provides community-based activities in Warstock and Yardley Wood. - Birmingham City Council, Highter's Heath and Yardley Wood planning and ward-map material
Council material places Warstock and Yardley Wood within the Highter's Heath locality and shows Highter's Heath as a current ward.
Remaining uncertainties
- OPNOCS's website names Hall Green as a service area, but the supplied ward list separates Hall Green North and Hall Green South. The available evidence does not establish which of those current wards, or whether both, are covered; neither has therefore been included.
- The website does not give the venues or precise addresses for its coffee morning, seated yoga, craft activity, health and wellbeing events, or other member activities. It is therefore not possible to identify physical delivery sites within the named neighbourhoods.
- The Old Print Works address is described as a registered office and as care-of a co-working space. It should be treated as an administrative/contact address rather than evidence of a public service-delivery site.
- The 2023/24 annual report records work with Birmingham City Council Adult Social Care, Birmingham City Council commissioners, BVSC and the Hall Green Neighbourhood Network Scheme. These relationships support local connectedness, but the evidence does not show that they extend OPNOCS's direct delivery beyond its stated South Birmingham service area.
- The available evidence supports a multi-neighbourhood South Birmingham operational identity, rather than citywide delivery. Trips outside Birmingham are member activities and do not demonstrate an operational footprint in those destinations.
Additional evidence needed
- A current timetable or venue list for weekly coffee mornings, seated yoga, craft sessions and health and wellbeing events.
- A current membership or referral-area policy showing whether Hall Green North, Hall Green South, or both are actively covered.
- A current agreement, referral protocol or delivery plan with the Hall Green Neighbourhood Network Scheme clarifying OPNOCS's role and geographic remit.
- The most recent trustees' report or activity report covering the period after 30 September 2024.
Areas of work
- General Charitable Purposes
- Other Charitable Purposes
- The Prevention Or Relief Of Poverty
Who they help
- Elderly/old People
- People With Disabilities
How they help
- Other Charitable Activities
- Provides Advocacy/advice/information
- Provides Human Resources
Discoveries involving this organisation
The Atlas has not published any Discoveries involving this organisation yet.
Observations
A social connection organisation built around regular contact
The available evidence suggests that OPNOCS addresses loneliness principally through recurring group activities rather than one-off interventions. Coffee mornings, seated yoga and craft sessions may create a dependable rhythm of contact through which friendships can develop.
Why it matters
This helps distinguish OPNOCS from an events provider: its potential value may lie in sustaining everyday social ties, which can be especially important for older people experiencing isolation.
Show evidence
“We provide community based activities to tackle loneliness and isolation experienced by older people and to make new friends.”
Source:Organisation“Community Activities Include: Weekly Coffee Morning, Weekly Seated Yoga, Trips and Events.”
Source:Organisation
A hyperlocal bridge across several south Birmingham neighbourhoods
OPNOCS appears to operate across a defined cluster of neighbourhoods rather than across Birmingham generally. This may allow it to connect people who live near one another, making relationships formed through activities more likely to continue outside formal sessions.
Why it matters
Its geographic focus is relevant to partnership planning: OPNOCS may be a useful connector for local venues, community groups and services seeking to reach older residents in these areas.
Show evidence
“We provide community based activities in Billesley, Brandwood, Druids Heath, Hall Green, Kings Heath, Moseley, Warstock, and Yardley Wood.”
Source:Organisation“We Aim to reduce social isolation and support older people in achieving an enhanced quality of life.”
Source:Organisation
Information-sharing may be a secondary but strategic function
Beyond delivering activities, OPNOCS may act as an informal communications channel between older people and the wider local support landscape. Its newsletter and signposting suggest a role in making opportunities and advice more visible to members.
Why it matters
This may make OPNOCS more than a direct-service organisation: it could strengthen other local provision by helping older people discover it.
Show evidence
“Members receive a quarterly newsletter advertising trips and events plus topics of interest to older people.”
Source:Organisation“A quarterly newsletter is sent to all members informing them of activities provided by local organisations.”
Source:Organisation“If you require any information or advice on any issues that affect older people, the Opnocs office can give you further information.”
Source:Organisation
- How many members participate, and which older people are not being reached.
- Whether activities are co-designed with members or delivered through partners and volunteers.
- Whether OPNOCS has evidence of reduced loneliness, improved wellbeing or sustained friendships.
Remaining uncertainties
- Membership numbers, attendance patterns, waiting lists and neighbourhood-level reach.
- Information on volunteers, delivery partners, venues, funding and governance.
- Member feedback or outcome evidence, including experiences of people with disabilities.
Additional evidence needed
Charity Commission profile
Activities
OPNOCS provides: Community activities to encourage older people who are experiencing loneliness to join them and make new friends. Weekly Coffee morning, Weekly seated yoga, Craft club, Trips, Health and wellbeing events. A quarterly newsletter is sent to all members informing them of activities provided by local organisations, opnocs trips and events plus issues that affect older people
Charity objects
TO PROMOTE THE RELIEF OF ELDERLY PEOPLE IN ANY MANNER WHICH NOW, OR HEREAFTER, MAY BE DEEMED BY LAW TO BE CHARITABLE.