Collaborative Research with Older Lesbians and Gay Men. Nichola Lavin – Researcher, Help and Care, Dorset Telephone: Address: Help and Care 896 Christchurch Road Pokesdown Bournemouth BH7 6DL Website:

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.

Why Research is needed.  Only recent emergence of research in this area.  Growing visibility of population.  Up to Older lesbians and gay men across Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole, many of whom remain hidden.

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

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

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

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.

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… 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)

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.  ????

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

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