Collaborative Research with Collaborative Research with Older Lesbians and Gay Men.Older Lesbians and Gay Men.

Nichola Lavin – Researcher, Help and Care, Dorset

Telephone: 0845 4500418

E-mail: nichola.lavin@helpandcare.org.uk

Address: Help and Care896 Christchurch RoadPokesdownBournemouthBH7 6DL

Website: www.helpandcare.org.uk

BackgroundBackground

A participatory action research project looking at the experiences and needs of older lesbians and gay men in Dorset and surrounding counties.

A joint project between Bournemouth University and Help and Care, a Dorset based charity who work with Older people and Carers of all ages.

Why Research is needed.Why Research is needed.

Only recent emergence of research in this area.

Growing visibility of population.

Up to 10000 Older lesbians and gay men across Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole, many of whom remain hidden.

Multiple Levels of DiscriminationMultiple Levels of Discrimination

Heterosexism

Homophobia

Ageism/Sexism/Racism

This leads to ‘invisibility’ both outside and within the gay community

Issues identified from recent Issues identified from recent research:research:

Isolation/Loneliness Lack of opportunities to meet other older

lesbians and gay men Fear of discovery Fear of being ‘out’ to services Lack of awareness Assumptions of heterosexuality Lack of sympathetic support Lack of friendly environments Concerns over financial security

Gay and Grey in DorsetGay and Grey in Dorset

Research Group - 15 volunteers All older lesbians and gay men Aged between 55 and 87 Recruited from across Dorset (Urban

and Rural). Monthly meetings

Project aimsProject aims

To actively involve older lesbians and gay men across Dorset.To identify the experiences and concerns of older lesbians and gay men in Dorset. To identify the factors which may contribute to their exclusion from the gay community and the wider community.To identify how these issues could be addressed. To implement actions to take forward these solutions.

Prioritising Themes

Learning from past research Group experiences Individual voices Knowledge of local area Feedback from local gay groups and

organisations Feedback from professionals Exploration

The first year…The first year…

• Developed questionnaire:

Identity Social Care and health and Housing,

Community (Gay and Wider)Social NetworkGetting Older

• Awareness raising: Mainstream and Gay community

• Directory of local support

• Social group (rural)

Future developments

Raising awareness and providing education and support to those working with older people.

Work in partnership with mainstream organisations to develop ways of meeting needs.

Work in partnership with gay oriented organisations and support them in meeting needs.

Development of suitable resources for older lesbians and gay men, e.g. information on gay specific issues.

Development of volunteer support and social activities – practical help.

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Issues/TensionsIssues/Tensions

• Integration v segregation

• Working with a hidden population

• Managing expectations

• Level of researcher input and group role

• Balancing group needs with funder and host expectations

• Sustaining group

• Time

Benefits

Snowball effect and acceptance of project. Appropriate language/methods.

Empowering group, mutual learning.

Relationship of trust between researcher and researched.

Based on real need – locally identified, powerful mechanism for exacting change, developments are appropriate and effective.

Breaking down barriers – mistrust of services