Connectivity and Digital Design for Promoting Health and Well-being Across Generations, Places and Spaces
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Stirling
Department Name: Applied Social Science
Abstract
This 3-year research programme aims to examine how we can design, test, deliver and evaluate digital resources to facilitate structured activity programmes for 'health connectivity' in older age. Through examining the feasibility and impact of a digital approach to two existing initiatives, intergenerational physical activity (IGPA) and sports-based intergenerational reminiscence (SBIR), the research will demonstrate the potential for development of related products and services to enhance support for health in later life. Developing and strengthening older people's 'connectivities' - their links with community, resources and meaningful activities - is a key part of supporting healthy ageing and reducing health inequalities in later life. Social connectivity and increasingly, digital connectivity, are pillars of what we here term 'health connectivity', or an individual's links to supports for health and well-being. Both IGPA and SBIR are designed to deliver activities in ways which foster social connectivity for participants within and between generations, increasing mutual understanding and empathy. The impact of social connectivity on older people's health behaviours and health outcomes is well established, as is risk of reduced social connectivity in later life due to factors such as area deprivation and conditions like visual, hearing and cognitive impairment. Far less is known about the most effective ways to maintain and improve connectedness and so optimise those benefits. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought into focus the need to be able to deliver programmes which support older people's social connectivity such as IGPA and SBIR effectively in a socially distanced world, but digital connectivity-connectedness through digital technology - was already of growing importance to older people in enabling them to access community, information and other resources in addition to eHealth applications and online healthcare services. COVID-19 has also brought into stark relief the need to urgently address so called 'digital divides', inequalities in access to digital connectivity through age, economic disadvantage and functional limitations, and this programme will stimulate developments which help to reduce such inequalities. The research programme, to be delivered by an interdisciplinary team of researchers based at the Universities of Plymouth and Stirling, consists of six 6-month inter-linked and co-dependant work packages (WPs) and will employ an innovative intergenerational co-production approach throughout. In WP1, information sharing mechanisms will be developed, a consultative Reference Group constituted, reviews and interviews with intergenerational programming providers to inform subsequent WPs conducted, and outcome measures developed for a pre- and post- testing of IGPA and SBIR participants. In WP2 community dwelling older people and younger participants in Cornwall (64) and Scotland (32) and 48 residents from 12 care homes (16 Stirling/32 Cornwall) will be recruited via partner organisations and form 20 researcher-supported intergenerational co-production groups (ICGs) for WP3. Following baseline outcome assessments, each ICG will meet bi-weekly for 6 months to share experiences of sport and physical activity and explore and test assistive technologies for either IGPA or SBIR. Recording of meetings and researcher observations will be thematically analysed to document those processes and identify themes around user needs and product ideas. In WP4 findings will be shared and the WP team will work with SME business partners to innovate new technologies to support IGPA and SBIR, with SMEs design concepts tested by the ICGs to inform development of prototypes tested by the ICGs in WP5, ending with post-test outcome assessments. Project-spanning implementation of the impact, knowledge exchange and communications strategy, coordination across interlinked empirical WPs, and dissemination activities are all included within WP6
Organisations
- University of Stirling (Lead Research Organisation)
- ukactive (Project Partner)
- Active Stirling Ltd (Project Partner)
- iSightCornwall (Project Partner)
- Nudge Community Builders (Project Partner)
- South Asian Society (Devon and Cornwall) (Project Partner)
- Generations Working Together (Project Partner)
- St. Breward Community (Project Partner)
- Hearing Loss Cornwall (Project Partner)
- Sporting Heritage (Project Partner)
- Sports Heritage Scotland (Project Partner)
- Breathers (Project Partner)
Publications
Haynes R
(2023)
GENERATING OLDER ACTIVE LIVES DIGITALLY (GOALD) THROUGH SPORT-BASED REMINISCENCE
in Innovation in Aging
Tomaz S
(2024)
Generations Active Together: An Example of Using Physical Activity Promotion and Digital Technology to Bring Together Adolescents and Older People in Stirling, Scotland
in Journal of Intergenerational Relationships
Hennessy C
(2023)
INTERGENERATIONAL CO-PRODUCTION IN DIGITAL DESIGN FOR HEALTH, WELL-BEING, AND SOCIAL CONNECTION
in Innovation in Aging
Whittaker A
(2023)
O.1.2-10 Intergenerational co-production to increase physical activity and social connectivity for health in the GOALD project (Generating Older Active Lives Digitally)
in European Journal of Public Health
Title | The GOALD project is using virtual reality scans to bring heritage sites alive |
Description | This video film demonstrates how the scanning of heritage and natural landscape sites is being used in virtual reality applications to promote health, well-being and social connection by the GOALD project. |
Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Impact | The GOALD project has received significant media attention as a result of this video film. |
URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuiXCC2esdw&t=86s |
Description | Findings from the trialling of a health promotion tool (the ROVR treadmill system with virtual reality) with the project's intergenerational co-production groups identified user needs not accommodated by the original design of the equipment. The manufacturer employed these findings to re-design the equipment better enabling older persons with a range of functional abilities to make use of the equipment that can enhance users' physical activity and well-being. |
First Year Of Impact | 2022 |
Sector | Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology |
Impact Types | Societal,Economic |
Description | Evidence to Parliamentary consultation |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
URL | https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/37152/html/ |
Description | 'Intergenerational Co-production to Increase Physical and Social Activity For Health in the GOALD Project (Generating Older Active Lives Digitally)' |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Presentation given by Professor Anna Whittaker at the annual meeting of the American Psychosomatic Society in San Juan, Puerto Rico that took place 8th-11th March, 2023. The international audience of academics and professional practitioners were made aware of how the GOALD project is using intergenerational co-production to help in the development of digital tools to engage older people in physical and social activity. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://psychosomatic.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/APS_ProgramBOOK_2023_FINAL3.4.pdf |
Description | 'Intergenerational Connectivity for Promoting Health and Well-being Across Ages, Places and Spaces' |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | This was a presentation delivered by Professor Catherine Hennessy at the annual conference of the British Society of Gerontology that took place online 6th-8th July 2022. The international audience of academics, professional practitioners, post-graduate students and representatives of third sector organisations were made aware of the aims, structure, methods and planned outcomes of the GOALD project as part of the UKRI's Healthy Ageing Challenge. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.britishgerontology.org/events-and-courses/past-conferences/2022-uwe-bristol |
Description | 'You are the experts': lessons learned from engaging with an intergenerational advisory group in the GOALD project' |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | This was an oral presentation delivered at the annual conference of the Canadian Association on Gerontology which took place in Regina, Canada on 20th-22nd October 2022. The international audience of attendees were academics and professional practitioners working in the field of gerontology. The presentation garnered interest in the GOALD project's intergenerational co-production approach to the development of digital health promotion tools. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://cag2022.ca/ |
Description | BBC 'Spotlight' report on the GOALD project |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | This BBC Spotlight piece was intended to raise public awareness of innovations in health promotion for older people, including those in advanced older age. The report showcased the use in care homes of one of the digital applications being trialled by intergenerational co-production groups in the GOALD project. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-60960232?fbclid=IwAR1QbDvGqQRqFEtRME4YRVrylNbaQwBQcHG... |
Description | Conference presentation |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
Results and Impact | Invited panel presentation at the Healthy Ageing Challenge Conference (15th-16th November) hosted by Innovate UK. Presentation delivered by GOALD project team member Dr. Hannah Bradwell (Research Fellow) in the conference session 'New experiences -opening up possibilities in ageing via the creative industries'. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://cop.ageing-better.org.uk/healthy-ageing-2021-conference-mon-15-tue-16-nov-9am-130pm#:~:text=... |
Description | GOALD project newsletter |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | To date, there have been 16 GOALD project newsletters, with the most recent (February 2023) sent out to 96 subscribers. The intended purpose of the newsletter is to highlight activities and progress, developments and opportunities associated with the GOALD project. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022,2023 |
URL | https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/research/centre-for-health-technology/goald |
Description | Panel member in pre-conference workshop 'Evidencing Impact' |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | GOALD team member Dr. Simone Tomaz took part as an invited speaker in a pre-conference workshop ('Evidencing Impact') at the 2022 UKRI Healthy Ageing Challenge (HAC) conference on 15th November 2022 in London. The audience comprised of professional practitioners, academics, representatives from third sector organisations, business/industry and others were made aware of how the GOALD project's activities are contributing to the HAC's goals for promoting healthy ageing. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.healthyageinguk.org/2022/agenda/?VID=381&EVID=5898 |
Description | Presentation on the GOALD project at the Football Memories Scotland 2022 conference |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | This presentation by Professor Richard Haynes on the GOALD project at the Football Memories Scotland conference ('Moving Forward Together') took place at Hampden Stadium on 6th May 2022. Football Memories Scotland is one of the GOALD project's partner organisations, and this presentation provided relevant audiences with an understanding of how sports reminiscence is being used in GOALD to promote healthy ageing, and the opportunities for sports reminiscence groups to participate in GOALD's intergenerational work. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://memories.scot/news/the-football-memories-scotland-conference-2022 |
Description | Presentation on the GOALD project in conference session 'Innovation for Active Ageing' |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | This presentation by Dr. Simone Tomaz on the GOALD project was part of the session 'Innovation for Active Ageing' at the annual conference of our project partner organisation UK Active. The conference 'Active Uprising' took place on 30th June 2022 in Birmingham. The audience of professional practitioners and others in the sports and leisure industries were provided with an understanding of GOALD's activities to promote healthy ageing through physical activity and social connection. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.ukactive.com/active-uprising-speakers/ |
Description | Press release |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | A joint press release from the Eden Project (one of the GOALD virtual reality sites) and Cornwall Care (a GOALD care home project partner) appeared on 26th January 2022, highlighting their participation in GOALD's work (https://sbpr-ltd.com/2022/01/18/keeping-older-brains-active) |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://sbpr-ltd.com/2022/01/18/keeping-older-brains-active |
Description | Project newsletter |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
Results and Impact | The GOALD project has disseminated 5 newsletters to subscribed project partners (currently 89 subscribers) and other stakeholders since the start of the project. The newsletter is intended to highlight project activities, collaborations and outputs to a wide audience of relevance to the project. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022 |
URL | https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/research/centre-for-health-technology/goald |
Description | Social media posts on GOALD project accounts |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | The GOALD project has been active since its beginning on various social media outlets including LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/74289390/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GOALDPlymStir and Twitter: https://twitter.com/GOALDStirPlym Instagram https://www.instagram.com/goald_research/ The current numbers of followers of GOALD on each of these are: LinkedIn: 45; Facebook: 34 (10), Twitter: 485, Instagram: 200 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022 |
Description | Social media posts on the GOALD project |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | The GOALD project has been active since its beginning on various social media outlets including LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/74289390/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GOALDPlymStir and Twitter: https://twitter.com/GOALDStirPlym Instagram https://www.instagram.com/goald_research/ The current numbers of followers of GOALD on each of these are: LinkedIn: 63; Facebook: 46, Twitter: 668, Instagram: 241 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022,2023 |
URL | https://twitter.com/GOALDStirPlym |
Description | Webinar presentation. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
Results and Impact | Presentation in the webinar 'Framing Ageing and Making Your Comms Age-Inclusive' hosted by the Healthy Ageing Challenge's Community of Practice (16th December). Professor Catherine Hennessy delivered an invited presentation titled 'Towards Intergenerational Positivity in Designing Health Promotion Tools for Later Life' (video recording available at https://cop.ageing-better.org.uk/video-framing-ageing-and-making-your-comms-age-inclusive-thur-16-dec-2021-930am-11am). |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://cop.ageing-better.org.uk/events |
Description | Workshop presentation at the annual conference of Generations Working Together, 9th March 2022 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | This was a presentation on the activities an planned outcomes of the GOALD (Generating Older Active Lives Digitally) to the annual conference of our project partner organisation (Generations Working Together) titled 'Project GOALD (Generating Older Active Lives Digitally): An Intergenerational Approach to Health promotion in Later Life'. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://generationsworkingtogether.org/events/conference |