Title: Intergenerational practices and intergenerational learning in health and social care: exploring the evidence from the perspective of older people
Funder: Department of Health and Social Care

Abstract: Bringing people of different generations together to take part in activities and projects such as gardening, reading or music has been shown to be helpful for both older people and children and young people. Projects have been shown to reduce feelings of loneliness, increase feelings of connection and understanding and to provide a sense of meaning and purpose to those who take part. _x000D_ _x000D_ We want to find out more about intergenerational activities and how they could be used in our health and social care system._x000D_ _x000D_ We will conduct the project in three stages:_x000D_ _x000D_ MAPPING: In this part of the project we will look for and bring together all the available research and evaluations to help us to understand:_x000D_ - the range of intergenerational activities available,_x000D_ - the ways in which the effects on older people of taking part in intergenerational activities have been measured,_x000D_ - the types of research study that have been used to look at intergenerational activities and,_x000D_ - the gaps in our knowledge._x000D_ _x000D_ CONSULTATION: In this part of the project we will work with a group of people involved in delivering and receiving intergenerational activities and those who commission this type of programme to decide a) what the most important research questions are from the perspectives of older people and b) where we need more information. As a group, we will decide which question(s) to answer in the third stage of the project, and how we should answer them._x000D_ _x000D_ REVIEW: In this part of the project we will seek to answer one of the research questions using best practice methods and the evidence and evaluations found during the mapping stage. _x000D_ _x000D_ The voices of people involved in delivering and receiving intergenerational activities will be at the heart of every stage of the project. We are fortunate that the Only Connect steering group based in Cornwall are keen to be involved in the project and have provided initial thoughts on our ideas. The group has local, national and international members from the care sector, local government, academia, schools and leading organisations involved in providing intergenerational activities. Members of the group will discuss the project with older people, people living with dementia and young people with experience of taking part in intergenerational activities._x000D_ _x000D_ As well as publications within the Campbell Library, we will share the findings using a variety of easily accessible formats, including blog posts, briefing papers and podcasts, targeted to specific audiences. We will work with the Only Connect steering group and our advisory group to ensure that we get the findings to the people who stand to benefit, as well as those who design, plan and deliver services.

Lay abstract: Intergenerational activities involve people from different generations in shared activities such as art, gardening, reading or music and have been shown to improve functioning and quality of life and to promote awareness and understanding between generations. Improving understanding of the impact of intergenerational activities on the health and wellbeing of older people was recently identified as a research priority by Public Heath England in the development of their Productive Ageing Programme._x000D_ _x000D_ We seek to address the following research question:_x000D_ _x000D_ What is the role of intergenerational practice & learning in health and social care from the perspective of older people?_x000D_ _x000D_ We aim to use existing evidence to improve understanding of the role of intergenerational activities in health and social care from the perspective of older people._x000D_ _x000D_ To do this we will:_x000D_ _x000D_ - Identify, appraise and bring together the evidence on the use of intergenerational activities,_x000D_ - Develop and prioritise a series of useful and relevant research questions and,_x000D_ - Address one of the key research questions with evidence synthesis methods appropriate to the body of available evidence._x000D_ _x000D_ We will conduct the project in three stages -_x000D_ 1. MAPPING – Develop a stakeholder-informed evidence and gap map of research and evaluations of the use of intergenerational activities in health and social care. The map will provide visual representation of the state of the evidence and include a horizon scanning element that highlights promising interventions yet to be subject to formal evaluation. _x000D_ 2. CONSULTATION - Working with a group of people involved in developing, commissioning, delivering and receiving intergenerational activities, explore the map and develop and prioritise a series of research questions._x000D_ 3. REVIEW – Conduct an evidence synthesis to address one of the research questions developed and prioritised during the CONSULTATION stage._x000D_ _x000D_ Individuals involved in delivering and receiving intergenerational activities will have an integral role at all stages of the project. We will work closely with the Only Connect steering group based in Cornwall. The group has local, national and international members from the care sector, local government, academia, schools and leading organisations involved in providing intergenerational activities. Members of the group will facilitate discussion of the project with older people, people living with dementia and young people with experience of taking part in intergenerational activities._x000D_ _x000D_ In addition to publications in the Campbell Library, we will produce briefing papers, podcasts, plain language summaries and blog posts. Working in collaboration with Fiona Campbell and colleagues (NIHR133172) we will produce an overview publication that brings together the findings from both programme grants and sets out a combined agenda for future research and practice priorities. All materials will be shared via pathways developed with our practice and public stakeholders._x000D_ _x000D_ This project will -_x000D_ - enable policymakers and practitioners in the field to take account of the least biased and most scientifically rigorous evidence in the commissioning and use of intergenerational practice in health and social care,_x000D_ - highlight opportunities for intergenerational activities and programmes during and in the subsequent recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and,_x000D_ - direct the commissioning of appropriate research where evidence gaps

Research activity codes: 6.6 PSYCHOLOGICAL AND BEHAVIOURAL;8.3 POLICY, ETHICS AND RESEARCH GOVERNANCE
Health categories: GENERIC HEALTH RELEVANCE