Let’s talk research - event puts local people at heart of ageing research

BRC researchers put older people in Newcastle at the heart of research into ageing when they visited a retirement community to gather valuable feedback on involving the public in research.

Members of the AGE Research Group, which leads research in the NIHR Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre’s (BRC) Ageing, Sarcopenia and Multimorbidity theme, visited residents at the Pilgrim’s Court retirement community in Jesmond, Newcastle.

Here they led a successful public engagement event, canvassing views from the residents on how best to generate conversations about research while patients are waiting to be seen in a hospital. The group had some helpful comments and some great ideas on how the language used in printed communications could be made clearer, more accessible and appeal to people from all walks of life.

Dr Lucy Rimmer, a researcher from AGE Research Group, Helen Atkinson, Patient Public Involvement and Engagement Manager for the Ageing, Sarcopenia and Multimorbidity theme (ASM) , and Gayle Cain, ART Network Manager visited the residents.

Lucy said: “I really enjoyed visiting Pilgrim’s Court today – the residents were incredibly welcoming and offered up some valuable input on the AGE Research Liaison Service resources. We took along some resources that we’re developing, which included a poster, flyer and booklet. We also took cakes to really get the ideas flowing!

“We then talked through the Let’s Talk Research booklet, which aims to explain more about the research we do, how we do it and how older people can be involved. The residents were keen to take the booklet away and feedback their comments and suggestions. It was a great reminder of how important PPIE is in research.”

Helen added: “The discussions were really interesting. Hearing from the residents about why they would like to be involved in research and what would prevent them was insightful. I’m keen that the comments and suggestions they made are taken forward and I look forward to visiting again and feeding back how their involvement in our research made a difference. We would like to thank all the residents for their time and all their ideas and we look forward to further conversations in the future.”

The visit was the third in a series of events that are part of the ‘Let’s Talk Research’ project, led by Dr Christopher Hurst. This aims to involve older people living with multiple long-term conditions and frailty in conversations about research. The project is funded by a Tilly Hale award through Newcastle University. The Tilly Hale award provides seed funding to support projects that strengthen public and patient involvement in research.

To find out more about patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) in the AGE Research Group please visit their website or contact Helen Atkinson on 0191 208 1343.