Opportunity Age – Opportunity and security throughout life
Opportunity Age is the Government's strategy for an ageing society. The strategy aims to end the perception of older people as dependent; ensure that longer life is healthy and fulfilling; and that older people are full participants in society. It was first published in ‘Opportunity Age: Meeting the challenges of ageing in the 21st century’ in March 2005.
The strategy is now coordinated and led by the DWP Minister of State for Pensions and the Ageing Society, in her role as Champion for Older People. The strategy focuses on three key areas:
- work and income - to achieve higher employment rates overall and greater flexibility for over 50s in continuing careers, managing any health conditions and combining work with family (and other) commitments
- active ageing - to enable older people to play a full and active role in society
- services - that allow us all to keep independence and control over our lives as we grow older, even if we are constrained by the health problems which can occur in old age.
It also sets out what steps Government, at national and local level, must do in order to organise ourselves to deliver the strategy.
In July 2008, the Government announced it would be refreshing its strategy for an ageing society. The first stage was the publication of a discussion paper in November 2008 setting out the key themes. Ministers also hosted a series of regional public discussion events, which were attended by around 600 people. These events informed "Building a Society for all Ages", published in July 2009, which sets out the Government’s vision for a society for all ages.
In August 2009 the Government also reported back on delivery against the commitments laid in "Opportunity Age: Meeting the challenges of ageing in the 21st century".
