ABSTRACT
Seniors' forums started when activists in the pensioners' movement, 'responding to a continuous pattern of cuts and closures in health and social services' in the 1980s began forming themselves into protest groups in order to organise protests and mount local campaigns. This chapter looks at the range and effectiveness of initiatives designed to strengthen lines of communication between senior citizens and government. Forums provide a vital opportunity for older people to organise into local lobby groups, and the spread of forums indicates grassroots activity is on the increase. The major charities are committed to acting as facilitators and do so by providing support to senior citizens' forums. Both Help the Aged and Age Concern have recently focused on engaging older people politically, training older people in campaign skills, involving older people in consultation processes and, in the case of Help the Aged, providing funds for older people to develop their own forums.
