Collaborative Research with Older Lesbians and Gay Men.

1. Collaborative Research with 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 Care 896 Christchurch Road Pokesdown Bournemouth BH7 6DL Website: www.helpandcare.org.uk

2. Background • 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.

3. 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.

4. Multiple Levels of Discrimination • Heterosexism • Homophobia • Ageism/Sexism/Racism This leads to ‘invisibility’ both outside and within the gay community

5. Issues identified from recent 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

6. Gay 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

7. Project 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.

8. 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

9. The first year… • Developed questionnaire: Identity Social Care and health and Housing, Community (Gay and Wider) Social Network Getting Older • Awareness raising: Mainstream and Gay community • Directory of local support • Social group (rural)

10. 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. • ????

11. Issues/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

12. 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