‘ SAYING HELLO’ older peoples’ experience of coping with loneliness and social isolation ‘Why tell us?’ Presented by Joan Brogden and Elaine Jones Wigan Borough

Involve Joan and Elaine What is Saying Hello? The project aims to look at the way older people manage loneliness and isolation. To find and promote ideas that help prevent or reduce loneliness and isolation. To support healthy and active ageing. To hopefully influence local and maybe regional and even national policy

Involve Joan and Elaine Who is involved in the project? It is a joint venture with Salford University and Age Concern Wigan Borough funded by the National Lottery. Age Concern organised the recruitment of volunteers aged over 50. Salford University led the volunteers training. After 10 weeks of training the over 50`s group had a research plan. Then followed developing the tools and training in interview techniques.

Involve Joan and Elaine What happened next? Now the group had to find 150 willing volunteers to be interviewed and their opinions on coping with loneliness and isolation obtained. These 150 persons had to be from the borough of Wigan and be over 50. These persons were interviewed (later called ‘chats’) and the conversation taped. The tapes were sent to Salford University who had the capability and technology to transcribe and collate the information contained on the tapes.

Involve Joan and Elaine Volunteer Researchers Why? ? Tap into existing skills, knowledge and experience Enable access to places and people Active involvement and participation

Involve Joan and Elaine Is this the end? No. The project is at the end of the 2 nd phase and the 3 rd phase is about to begin. The analysis needs to be completed. This phase is the time when we pass on the information we have gathered to the local organisation that have contact with older people. How we will pass this information on has not yet been finalised, but the group has many ideas.

Involve Joan and Elaine Has the project made an impact? On older people in Wigan? Early days but……Yes. For example The group participated in a successful Partnership for Older People Projects (POPPS) that Wigan put a bid in for. Presentations have included Research in Practice for Adults (Rifa) Research seminar of the local authority and primary care trust. Workshop at Salford University Key stakeholders in providing services and resources for older people in Wigan are on the Steering/Management Group Work is ongoing to ensure that any findings from the ‘Saying Hello’ project are incorporated into initiatives for example redesigning mental health services for older people. Issues of loneliness and social isolation for older people are now on the agenda of agencies in Wigan.

Involve Joan and Elaine Has the project made an impact? on the Volunteers? Our Reflections Mental stimulation Satisfaction in being part of the project Sense of achievement Friendship Gained confidence Learning new skills and knowledge Making a difference New opportunities in the future

Involve Joan and Elaine Sensitivity of the subject Traditional teaching Student centred Learning Traditional Research Non- traditional research Feeling Lonely Not feeling lonely EACH OTHER

Involve Joan and Elaine So, ‘why tell us?’ As older people we do not like to be told what is good for us. We want to be listened to and taken seriously. Most older people are resourceful in finding solutions to issues, and courageous in coping with things that can’t be changed. ‘Saying Hello’ has provided a voice (amongst others) for older people in Wigan. Older people have been involved in many different ways in this project- including as co-researchers Has having older people involved made a difference to the project? Do older people tell us anything different than they would tell traditional researchers?

Involve Joan and Elaine Any Questions

Involve Joan and Elaine Saying Hello Project Team Volunteer researchers Audrey Bate Joan Brogden Christine Burns Mary Chaffin Barbara Hayton Jean Higham Theresa Hull Elaine Jones Diana Stray June Trumble Age Concern, Wigan Borough Stuart Murray Pat Waywell University of Salford Fiona Greenwood Professor Martin Johnson Julia Ryan Professor Steven Shardlow Barbara Walmsely Tracey Williamson Contact details: Pat Waywell- Age Concern Wigan Borough Fiona Greenwood- Salford University