This (IncludeAge) research has an opportunity to shine a light on this important groups (people with Learning Disabilities) experience of growing older, and the sort of support they need to grow older successfully. This project can raise awareness of the range of different experiences that people with Learning Disabilities – wherever they are being supported – to enable them to take full advantage of what their local communities have to offer. I am hoping that the project will raise aspirations about how older people with learning disabilities can not only be present and participate in their communities but be offered the opportunity to contribute.
To find out more about the project, watch our short introductory video:
The IncludeAge project focuses on how we can improve the inclusion of middle to older aged people (40+) with Learning Disabilities and/or people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender + (LGBT+) (with the plus representing others who don’t identify as heterosexual or cisgender), by learning about their experiences of being included in physical places and online spaces. The goal is to build on what people tell us and to use this information to develop possible solutions to make communities more inclusive.
To generate information, we use:
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Interviews about people’s past experiences of inclusion and exclusion.
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A place survey and photography to record present day experiences of physical places and online spaces. (The Place Study)
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A social networking activity with participants.
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Interviews with organisations that support people with Learning Disabilities and/or people who are LGBT+.
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Workshops and knowledge cafes to create possible solutions to exclusion.
Project Launch
The IncludeAge project launched at the University of Dundee in Scotland on October 25, 2022. The team met to discuss first steps and to develop our partnership working practices. Please see launch event slides HERE.
Setting up the Project
- Community Advisory Groups formed: one with people with Learning Disabilities and one with people who are LGBT+.
- Gained ethical approval.
- Community researcher recruitment.
- Community researcher training designed and delivered.
- Interviews with people with Learning Disabilities and/or people who are LGBT+ begin.
- Place study begins.
Moving Forward
- Interviews and the Place Study continue.
- Social networks of middle to older people with Learning Disabilities and LGBT+ people begin.
- Interviews with supporting organisations begin.
- Data analysis begins.
Making Sense and Sharing Knowledge
- Data analysis continues.
- Knowledge cafes, workshops, and events organized to synthesize and analyse the data.
- A range of creative materials produced and distributed to inform policy makers, practitioners and public audiences.
Project Completion and Next Steps
- A showcase event.
- Final reports.
- Community exhibitions.
- End of project.
Easy Read.
We have an IncludeAge website in Easy Read, where key details about IncludeAge are provided in an accessible information format. To view the IncludeAge website in Easy Read click HERE, or click the yellow button that appears on the left-hand side of this page and each section of the website as you scroll down.
Easy Read information is an accessible information format designed with and for people with Learning Disabilities.
Key facts about our project…
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Workpackages
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Academic & Non-Academic Investigators
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Community Researchers who are people with Learning Disabilities and/or LGBT+
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Community Advisory Group Members
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International Reference Group Members
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IncludeAge Friends Group
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Participants so far
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Project Resources over course of project
Our Activities.
The IncludeAge project has 5 parts called Work Packages (WPs). Each work package is co-led by team members and has aims and objectives, a timeframe, tasks, outcomes, outputs and impact. The project has developed a Theory of Change, view it HERE.
Testimonials.
As a co-researcher on the IncludeAge project, I’ve been impressed by the project’s commitment to understanding the experiences of older people, particularly those in the LGBT+ and Learning Disability communities. The participatory approach, including life story interviews and social network analysis, is both innovative and inclusive. I believe that the findings from this project have the potential to drive positive change and inform policies that promote inclusion for diverse older individuals. It’s been a privilege to be part of this transformative work.
Hello! I have long career as a social worker within statutory social care and am transferring my skills to academic research. The IncludeAge project is focussing on places and spaces which may be occupied by the LGBTQ community and those with Learning Disabilities whose life stories and experiences are often unheard. As an older Lesbian in a long term relationship, my wife and I have experienced covert and overt homophobia, prejudice and heterosexism throughout our personal and professional lives – acceptance from most, hostility from others. We want to feel safe wherever we go.
Why it is important to make changes for older people learning disabled people as many years ago missed out getting the right support ie like my mum and dad and loads more as things wasn’t heard of. If things was put in place loads wouldn’t missed out or died suddenly. Now you got better support now for older people like support workers train nurses in learning disabled clubs to go to better support now in the system. Why I got involved I would love to see older people getting better care and make changes too older generation and the younger generation.
IncludeAge Website in Easy Read