We set up the Re-engage research group to ensure we’re engaging meaningfully with people over the age of 75 who have personal experience of loneliness and social isolation and with those who are delivering loneliness intervention services within local communities. Our members are former or current users of our services and volunteers from across the UK. Our aim is to create opportunities for members of this group to contribute at all stages of our research work.
Why do we involve members in our research?
We feel it’s important to make sure the views of older people with experience of social isolation and loneliness are represented in our research.
Our research is shaped by an active partnership between researchers and our members. Some of our research is carried out with or by our members, rather than about or for them, embedding a co-production approach and ensuring older people are at the core of everything we do.
We also recognise that people who have experienced loneliness and social isolation offer valuable knowledge and expertise based on their lived experience. By including their views in our research work, the research we undertake, and its outcomes are more relevant and useful to the people we most want to support.
Who can get involved?
Anyone with experience of loneliness and social isolation and who has engaged with or delivered one of our services is welcome to join our research group. We particularly welcome people from diverse backgrounds.
You don’t need any experience or knowledge of research to join. We’ll provide guidance to ensure you make the most of your time as a member of the group.
The group regularly meets online, with sessions typically lasting around 90 minutes. Members can choose which research activities to get involved in and have the choice to leave at any time.
What we offer to our Re-engage research group members
As a member of the Re-engage research group, you’ll get:
- An opportunity to enhance existing skills and gain new ones.
- An opportunity to gain new experiences.
- The chance to help us improve understanding of loneliness and social isolation experienced by people aged 75 and over.
- Support from the impact and research team and other members of group.
Meet some of our members
Athena
My name is Athena.
I am 84 years old. I opened the first Greek school in London at Warren Street in 1962.
I am a widow with two sons and six grandchildren.
I have been hosting a very nice lady from Ukraine for the last 10 months.
I have a nice house at Golders Green full of flowers.
I love meeting people but I had a bad accident two years ago and I had to give my car away.
Carl
Originally from Manchester, I have lived in London for over 50 years. I currently live in Clerkenwell in Central London with my wife of 31 years. I have a stepson and three grandchildren, now in their 20s. I am now retired but previously I was a journalist, book writer, magazine editor and TV researcher. For the last 18 years of my working life, after studying for an MSc at University College London, I worked as an architectural lighting designer as well as being the editor of a professional lighting journal. I served as governor of a secondary school in the Mossbourne Academy Federation in Hackney for eight years... and I have been a driver-volunteer for Re-engage for 13 years.
Emma
We moved from London when I took up a role as a head teacher in a school specialising in provision for children with dyslexia and the myriad comorbid conditions that can co-exist.
The majority of my working life was spent working with children with special educational needs, and their families.
I am passionate about the environment and sustainability. We have a smallholding where we try to be as self-sufficient as possible, as well as developing our space for wildlife, and sharing it with self-catering guests, and occasional campers.
I have two grown up children, both living in London, which is close enough for regular visits! I also volunteer for Samaritans, and profoundly believe in the importance of human connections.
I joined Re-engage around six years ago as a host, and was immediately struck with the importance of the groups. After the COVID pandemic, our group didn't seem to restart, so I picked up the coordinator’s role and have a lovely group of drivers, and a small number of hosts who ensure that our wonderful guests get their monthly trip out, and are welcomed by a familiar group.
I wanted to join the research group to do what I can to continue the development of the vital services and support that we provide.
Jono
Jono works as a researcher based at the University of Oxford. He is involved in a number of projects which aim to evaluate initiatives designed to improve people’s health and wellbeing. When asked about his motivation for joining the research hub, Jono shared: "Research must include the voices of the people it aims to support. I’m really excited about the opportunities the research hub provides to develop impactful research that leads to meaningful change for older adults facing loneliness or isolation.”
Ron
I am an accountant by profession, also I have two university degrees, in English and Law. At university I was commended for my Shakespeare and I still enjoy quotes and poems from the classics. My career was spent working for local and regional government, and I lived all over the country. From Lowestoft to the Lake District, Herefordshire to Carmarthen, I have found it interesting to learn about places and people as I travelled the country.
I took early retirement and moved back to the West Midlands where I began my career. This was to look after my disabled mother. In 2003, I was chosen for an award by the United Nations for community charitable work. This included volunteering my skills to considerably improve the accounting and finances of a variety of community schemes including sheltered housing, a hospice, and some charitable clubs.
Having cared for my mother for many years and kept her at home according to her wishes, she passed away at the age of 96. I was left on my own, having lost all of my friends, as I was doing my carer’s job for many years and depression set in. I needed something to feel better and happy. Luckily, I chose the best free medicine – laughter. I started telling jokes to anybody I met and began to write some myself. Re-engage has helped me a lot since then. The phone calls and ultimately tea parties made all the difference.
Susan
I am interested in getting involved with things like this. I love crafts, I make cards and I'm crocheting a jacket at the moment for myself.
Join the research group
Would you like to get involved with our Re-engage research group and help us reduce loneliness or social isolation for people aged 75 and over in the UK?
To find out more or to express an interest in joining the research group, please complete the short application form and a member of our team will be in touch.