Centre for Loneliness Studies
The Centre for Loneliness Studies carries out internationally recognised, high quality academic research on loneliness which is theoretically driven and both informed by, and able to inform, policy and practice.
The Centre offers an innovative, multidisciplinary approach to loneliness research, seeking to understand the wider societal explanations for, and potential solutions to, loneliness across the life-course.
For further information about the centre for Loneliness Studies please contact:
- Dr Andrea Wigfield, a.wigfield@sheffield.ac.uk, 0114 2226484
- Ms Vanessa Rodgers, vanessa.rodgers@sheffield.ac.uk, 0114 2226490
The Centre for Loneliness Studies blog
Take a look at the latest blog posts from experts associated with the Centre for Loneliness Studies.
Our aims
- To contribute to existing, and develop new, theoretical approaches to loneliness;
- To contribute to a developing international evidence base on loneliness interventions using various research methods including realist approach to evaluations, Randomised Controlled Trials (where possible), and economic evaluations;
- To draw on a range of existing, and develop new, innovate methodological approaches to carry out new analysis and produce novel empirical research findings at local, national, and international levels;
- To work closely, in partnership, with key external stakeholders, to ensure that our research can be translated into policy and practice;
- To involve Experts by Experience (individuals who have been or are affected by loneliness).
Our key research questions
- Which groups in society are most at risk of loneliness and why?
- What are the psychological and wider societal determinants of loneliness?
- What are the social, economic, psychological and health implications of loneliness?
- What can be done about loneliness? What is working locally, nationally and internationally?
- What are the social, economic, psychological and health benefits of tackling loneliness?
Our themes
The Centre seeks to explore the wider societal explanations for and potential solutions to loneliness by focusing on the following themes:
- The built environment - design, spaces and places, including open public spaces, housing, residential care;
- Community enablers – participation, engagement, interaction, social capital, security and safety;
- Technology – companion and social robots, assisted living technology, digital society, artificial intelligence, epigenetics;
- Health, wellbeing and social care – prevention, safeguarding, care implications of loneliness;
- Employment, business and work practices - links to productivity, quality of working life, absenteeism, collegiate spirit, the role of employers;
- Childhood, families and education - the way in which early years shape risk factors of loneliness, role of families, childhood and educational institutions.
- Alone But Together - Connecting Through Storytelling
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We’ve all been affected by isolation since Covid-19 and this project aims to encourage reconnection through the sharing of experiences. We hope to capture the diverse stories of staff, students and research partners at the Centre for Loneliness Studies and are asking people to contribute a piece of art, such as a zine, poem, drawing, painting, piece of writing, short video, or audio clip telling us about their experiences of isolation. The contributions will be curated and shared in a blog post at the Centre for Loneliness Studies.
See our first contribution - a short film about people's experiences of loneliness during the' lockdown'.
The UK Covid-19 Stories website catalogues the contributions made to the Alone but Together project, including zines, photographs, poems, videos and drawings. The website also hosts the instructions for making a zine used in the Centre for Loneliness Studies zine making webinar: https://ukcovid19stories.com/zine-making-webinar/
- Fit as a Fiddle
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Details
This project involved the evaluation of Age UK’s Fit as a Fiddle programme which ran from January 2014 to June 2015. The programme involved three connected projects: Fit for the Future, Cascade Training and Dementia Friendly communities. We evaluated these through the quantitative analysis of data collected in a longitudinal survey of participants, case studies, focus groups, and in-depth interviews. The Fit for the Future project had a range of benefits for older people who participated in it, including an enhancement of their social connections.
Funding
Age UK
Associated Links and Publications:
Age UK's Dementia Friendly Programme
Age UK's Fit for the Future: project 'Social Prescribing' Extension Project
Project Co-ordinators: Andrea Wigfield, with Erica Kispeter and Sarah Alden
- Social Isolation Index
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Details
It has long been recognised that becoming socially isolated can have detrimental effects on a person’s physical and mental health. To help identify those most at risk,an index representing social isolation amongst older people in Leeds was created by Leeds City Council. This project involved sense testing the Social Isolation Index.
Funding
Leeds City Council
Associated Links and Publications:
Project Co-ordinators: Andrea Wigfield with Sarah Alden
- Evaluation of Get Moving
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Details
Get Moving was an eight month initiative funded by the Greater London Authority which aimed to reduce the social isolation of older people in Greater London through supporting activities delivered by community organisations. This evaluation explored the extent to which the interventions were successful through a two stage survey of participants and range of stakeholder interviews.
Funding
GLA
Associated Links and Publications:
Get Moving: Pilot Scheme Review
Project Co-ordinators: Andrea Wigfield with Sarah Alden
- Social Isolation and Loneliness
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Details
This project involved a review of literature to explore the links between social isolation and loneliness and formed the basis of the development of a new conceptual frame work for understanding social relationships and loneliness.
Funding
Age UK
Associated Links and Publications:
Loneliness and Isolation: Understanding the Difference and Why it Matters
Project Co-ordinators: Andrea Wigfield with Sarah Alden
- Evaluation of The British Red Cross Community Connectors Programme
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Details
The British Red Cross Community Connectors Programme aims to reduce the social isolation and loneliness of a range of groups, including: young new mums (aged 18-24); individuals with mobility limitations; individuals with health issues; individuals who are recently divorced or separated; individuals living without children at home and retirees; and the recently bereaved. The evaluation is capturing learning about what works and why through a mixed method approach, including a two phase survey, social return on investment analysis, one to one interviews, focus groups and case studies using participatory mapping methods.
Duration
July 2017 - February 2019
Funding
The British Red Cross
Associated Publications and Links
Project Co-ordinators: Annette Haywood, with Ellie Haywood, Alexis Foster, Jill Thompson, Steven Arriss, Ellie Holding and Robert Akapiro
- Understanding Barriers to Connection for People Experiencing Loneliness at Key Life Transitions
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Funding
British Red Cross and Co-op partnership
Associated Publications and Links
Project Co-ordinators
Andrea Wigfield with Dave Clayton, Katey Twyford, Florence Gaughan and John Ratcliffe
- Understanding Barriers Faced by BAME Community Members in Accessing Loneliness Services.
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Details
This study aimed to understand the barriers (and facilitators) faced by BAME (Black Asian and Minority Ethnic) community members in accessing loneliness services, identify ways in which service providers may improve referrals, and also influence policy change more broadly. The project built on the findings from Trapped in a Bubble, research commissioned by the British Red Cross and Co-op Partnership which focused on the triggers of loneliness amongst individuals. The research design drew on qualitative research techniques selected to answer the detailed research questions identified by the funder and research team. The findings will help guide policy makers and providers to ensure that BAME communities are better enabled to benefit from service provision that can support those who are experiencing, or of at risk of experiencing, loneliness.
Funding
The British Red Cross and Co-operative Society
Associated Publications and Links
Project Co-ordinators: Andrea Wigfield, Dave Clayton, Katey Twyford.
- Evaluation of Time to Shine
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Details
‘Time to Shine’ is a six year, cross-partnership project, commissioned by Leeds Older People’s Forum and funded through the Big Lottery. Fulfilling lives: Ageing Better Programme. The project involves commissioning a range of third sector organisations to work toward reducing the social isolation and loneliness of people over 50 who reside in Leeds, with a ‘co-production’ approach built into the programme. The evaluation study involves a mixed method approach of analysis of monitoring and survey data and focus groups and individual interviews with project beneficiaries, volunteers, and staff. The evaluation results are being used on an ongoing basis to inform the delivery of the Time To Shine programme.
Funding
Leeds Older People's Forum
Associated Publications and Links:
Evaluation of Time to Shine: Year 2 Interim Findings
The Time to Shine Evaluation Interim support Summary: The Beneficiary Experience
The team have also produced a range of case studies for the project, please click here.
Project Co-ordinators: Andrea Wigfield with Sarah Alden and Charlene Martin
- Reducing Loneliness Through the Built Environment
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Details
We partnered with Lendlease to develop a Loneliness lab to explore how cities can be made less lonely. The Loneliness Lab brought together business, government and civil society to explore how we can reshape and reimagine our cities to design out loneliness and isolation. The Loneliness Lab was an 18-month project to accelerate action towards making London a less lonely city to live in for many people. We wanted to know what it takes to create places and spaces that give the people who live, work and play in our cities the connection they need to lead a happy and healthy life. Starting in October 2018, with a week-long innovation ‘sprint’ we identified, developed and tested solutions that tackle loneliness and isolation in our cities. Over 100 people from 40 organisations have been part of the Loneliness Lab so far, including community groups, NGOs, Local Authorities, businesses, designers, artists, and importantly people experiencing loneliness.
Funding
Business Boost award from Faculty - working with International property developers Lendlease.
Associated Links and Publications
Project Co-ordinators: Andrea Wigfield, Katey Twyford, Karim Hadjri, David Robinson and Malcolm Tait.
- A Review of the Impact of Loneliness and Social Isolation on Health and Well-being
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Details
A Review of the impact of loneliness and social isolation on health and well-being and whether people who experience loneliness/social isolation have higher use of public services.This project was commissioned by the Welsh Government in conjunction with a Welsh research company (OB3). UoS led on this work. It involved scoping the literature on loneliness and social isolation, focusing on increased or decreased uptake of services. It also interviewed 10 main organisations involved with minority groups in Wales. A meta analysis was carried out on some of the data from the scoping review and a small association was found between loneliness and increased uptake of services. The work suggested that loneliness and social isolation does play a part in increased use of services, but that loneliness and social isolation alone do not create the conditions for increased service use. Rather it is the way society and services are structured to take into account the multiple and competing needs of a diverse population. The work will be used to inform different strategies by the Welsh Government such as health, public and social services.
Funding
Welsh Government
Associated Links and Publications
Project Co-ordinators: Dr Jan Owens with Fuschia Sirois and Andrea Wigfield
- A Review of Key Mechanisms in Intergenerational Practices and their Effectiveness at Reducing Loneliness and Social Isolation.
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Details
This project was commissioned by the Welsh Government in conjunction with a Welsh research company (OB3). OB3 took the lead for this project and UoS reviewed the literature on inter-generational practices and their effectiveness at reducing loneliness and social isolation. The literature revealed that there were many interventions but many were short term and few were effectively evaluated. This reduced the strength of the findings.Funding
Welsh Government
Associated Publications and Links:
Intergenerational Review Report
Project Co-ordinators: Janine Owens, Andrea Wigfield
- Social Isolation and Loneliness in Care Homes
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Details
This project, in collaboration with The University of Auckland, reviewed the evidence base on the prevalence of loneliness and social isolation among older people living in residential and nursing care homes.
Funding
The University of Auckland
Duration
January 2017 - December 2019
Associated Publications and Links:
Project Co-ordinators: Claire Gardiner, Merryn Gott, Tim Heaton and Pete Laud.
- Social Connection, Isolation and Loneliness
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Project
Social connection, isolation and loneliness among Maori, Pacific, NZ European and Asian Older People.
Funding
New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) National Science Challenge Ageing Well. In partnership with Age Concern New Zealand.Details
This project aimed to explore the impact of the New Zealand Accredited Visiting Service (AVS), a volunteer befriending service operated by Age Concern. The study used mixed methods to explore the impact of the service on loneliness, social isolation, health and economic outcomes.
Duration
2015 - 2019
Associated Links
https://tearairesearchgroup.org/projects/Project Co-ordinators: Merryn Gott, Louise Rees, Judith Davey, Tess Moeke-Maxwell, Janine Wiles, Richard Edlin, Robyn Dixon, Ofa Dewes, Hong-Jae Park, Lisa Williams, Juliana Mansvelt, Tessa Morgan, Hamish Jamieson, Clare Gardiner
- People with dementia living in extra care housing: an exploration of the practicalities and possibilities.
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Details
Current understanding of housing need in later life is shaped by demographics, social policy, legislative responsibilities, and a growing, but limited body of research and guidance on supporting individuals with dementia to maintain independence with appropriate levels of care. Informed by a survey of extra care housing provision and adopting a grounded theory approach, this study aimed to consider the appropriateness of extra care housing for people with dementia based on the experiences of those living and working in two extra care schemes. This study contributes to knowledge development in three areas; understanding of extra care housing for people with dementia;interdisciplinary approaches to models of extra care provision; and methodology on researching living with dementia in a supported housing environment.
Funding
Independently funded
Associated Links
Individuals With Dementia Living In Extra Care Housing
Moving In and Out Of Extra Care Housing
Project Co-ordinators: Katey Twynford
- Evaluation of the More than Words Programme
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Details
A mixed methods evaluation of a group programme for people affected by bereavement delivered through Cruse.
Project Co-ordinators: Annette Haywood, Andrew Lee, Alexis Foster, Robert Akapiro
- Supporting Third Sector Organisations To Use Outcome Measures To Evidence the Impact Of Their Work, January 2017 - December 2020
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Details
A mixed methods project to support third sector organisations to use outcome measures. Often these interventions are related to addressing loneliness.
Funding
NIHR
Duration:
January 2017 - December 2020
Project Co-ordinator: Alexis Foster
- Evaluation of 'Staying Well.'
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Details:
Qualitative evaluation of three hubs within ‘Staying Well’ in Calderdale.
Funding
Calderdale Council
Duration:
March - June 2019
Project Co-ordinators: Janine Owens and Andrea Wigfield.
- Evaluation of Chapeltown Choice
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Details
Chapeltown Choice is a one year project piloting a new neighbourhood care planning pathway within the Chapeltown area of Leeds. It has been commissioned by Leeds City Council Adult Social Care and is supported by the Department of Communities and Local Government's 'Delivering Differently' funding stream.. The team are evaluating the impact of redesigning services on service users and their carers, with a specific focus on health, wellbeing and community engagement.
Funding
Leeds City Council
Project Co-ordinators: Andrea Wigfield and Sarah Alden
- Service review for Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council Assistive Technology Services
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This study was an evaluation of the current provision of Assistive Technology Services in Doncaster.
Duration
November 2013 - January 2014
Funding
Doncaster Borough Council
Project Co-ordinators: Andrea Wigfield, Emma-Reeta Koivunen, Kate Hamblin and Royce Turner
- Needs of Carers in North Lincolnshire: A Scoping exercise
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This project was a scoping exercise to assess the needs of carers in North Lincolnshire on behalf of NHS North
Funding
NHS North Lincolnshire
Associated Publications and Links
Project Co-ordinators: Royce Turner, Katy Wright and Andrea Wigfield
- Workforce Development for Assisted Living Technology
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Details
This project was a scoping exercise to assess the needs of carers in North Lincolnshire on behalf of NHS North Lincolnshire and to inform the development of local carers’ centres and to direct policy.
- Evaluation of Supporting Carers in General Practice
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Details
This project was an evaluation of the Department of Health-funded programme ‘Supporting Carers in General Practice’, which comprised three projects led by the Royal College of GPs, Carers UK, and the Princess Royal Trust for Carers (PRTC)/Crossroads Care.
FundingDepartment for Work and Pensions
Associated Publications and Links
Supporting Carers in General Practice
Project Co-ordinators: Andrea Wigfield and Katy Wright
- NIHR Improving Employment Opportunities for Carers
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This study collected, assessed and synthesised evidence of what works in supporting carer employment, with the aim of producing guidance suitable for use in social care England-wide.
Funding
NIHR School for Social Care Research
Project Co-ordinators
Andrea Wigfield and Gary Fry
- Carers Can Continue To Care
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Details
Working with Sheffield Carers Centre, we are exploring options for community volunteers to support carers or cared for people avoid hospital admissions. This project has just started and we will be carrying out a gaps analysis and review of evaluated, relevant interventions, which will then be discussed through a series of workshops with carers, those cared for and volunteers. We will then assist the carers centre to test the most promising model identified.
Funding
Primary Care Sheffield
Project Co-ordinators: Andrea Wigfield and Sarah Alden
- Evaluating the Impact of Sheffield Young Carers Activity
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Details
A comprehensive impact evaluation of Sheffield Young Carers' work to complement a whole service review which is currently being undertaken by independent researcher.
Funding
Sheffield Young Carers
Project Co-ordinators: Andrea Wigfield and Sarah Alden
- The Integrated Care Programme Pilot
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Details
The fundamental aims of the Integrated Care Programme (ICP) are to promote the appropriate use of community resources and statutory services, facilitate improvement in the physical and mental health of its service users, promote service user's independence, and to carry these out in a person centred and financially sustainable manner.
Funding
Age UK and The University of Sheffield
Associated Publications and Links
Project Co-ordinators: John Ratcliffe
People
The Centre, directed by Dr Andrea Wigfield, brings together over 50 academics and researchers across all five University of Sheffield Facilities, covering 14 Departments and Schools.
The Centre is also supported by an external advisory group of public, voluntary and private sector organisations with an interest in both understanding and tackling loneliness in society.
A group of Experts by Experience (individuals who have been or are affected by loneliness) are to be recruited to guide the Centre’s activities.
University of Sheffield staff:
| Name | Position / Department | Research |
|---|---|---|
| Rowland Atkinson | USP Professor Inclusive society |
Social inclusion. |
| Sarah Barnes | SCHARR Senior Lecturer |
Quality of life/older people. |
| Peter Bath | Professor and HoD Information School |
Health informatics and working on predictors of loneliness in ELSA data. |
| Jo Birch | Department of landscape Research Associate |
How urban residents from diverse backgrounds narrate their own histories and values of contact and connectedness with nature and health and wellbeing. |
| Chris Blackmore | ScHARR Senior University Teacher Mental Health Research Unit |
Impact of the internet on wellbeing. |
| Dave Bosworth | Sociological Studies | Link to South Yorkshire Teaching Partnership. |
| Diane Burns | Management School Senior Lecturer |
Care quality, well-being care staff and care home research. |
| David Cameron |
Information School |
Understanding how emotions can shape our behaviour and impact on social relationships. |
| Lee Crookes | Urban Studies and Planning University Teacher |
Housing, health, well-being. |
| Peter Cudd | CATCH | Assistive Technology, including robotics. |
| Nicola Dempsey | Department of landscape Senior Lecturer |
How urban and rural landscape planning and management affect everyday life, quality of life and wellbeing. |
| Andreana M Drencheva | Management school | Entrepreneurship, including social entrepreneurship. |
| Joshua Forstenzer | Philosophy | Participatory democracy, youth politics and civic education. |
| Alexis Foster | SCHARR NIHR doctoral Research Fellow |
Health, well-being, RCTs, and how to evaluate interventions. |
| Clare Gardiner | School of Nursing and Midwifery VC Fellow |
Social isolation in the elderly and interventions to reduce loneliness. |
| Karim Hadjri | School of Architecture HOD Professor |
Architecture, design and well-being. |
| Sarah Hargreaves | ScHARR Research Associate |
Everyday life of ill health and ageing. |
| Janet Harris | SCHARR Reader |
Community involvement/participation, realist evaluation, and ealth care. |
| Annette Haywood | SchARR | Public health and inequalities, British Red Cross social connectors project. |
| Dan Holman | Sociological Studies Research Associate |
Health inequalities. |
| Anna Jorgensen | Department of Landscape Senior Lecturer |
Ways in which different people experience, interact with, understand and represent landscape. |
| Anju Keetharuth | SchARR Research Fellow |
Economic evaluation and health policy analysis. |
| Hui Yang | Information school | Predictors of loneliness in ELSA data. |
| Paul Martin | Sociological Studies Professor |
Epigenetics. |
| Abigail Millings | Psychology Lecturer |
Attachment theory and use of social robots. |
| Clara Mukuria | ScHARR Research fellow |
Health economics, measurement and value of health and wellbeing, developing a new quality of life instrument that could be used in economic evaluation across health and social care, (extending the QALY) including a measurement on loneliness. |
| Jan Owens | School of Dentistry |
People with disabilities, including learning disabilities and involving community in research. |
| Malcolm G Patterson | Management school | Examining the impact of organisational practices and policies impact the psycho-social experiences of employees. |
| Tess Peasgood | ScHARR | Health economics, measurement and value of health and wellbeing, developing a new quality of life instrument that could be used in economic evaluation across health and social care, (Extending the QALY) including a measurement on loneliness. |
| Tony Prescott | Department of Computer Science Director of Sheffield Robotics Professor in Cognitive Robotics |
Understanding the psychology of loneliness, the potential benefits/risks of robotic and AI companions, and the ethical issues, artificial companions and in the role of physical contact. |
| David Robinson | Geography Professor and HoD |
Housing, migration. |
| Georgina Rowse | Psychology | Both from a mindfulness and wellbeing angle but also from my mental health and long term health conditions work. People with mental and/or physical health difficulties often experience great loneliness. |
| Tony Ryan | School of Nursing and Midwifery Reader |
Older people, care and the family. |
| Sarah Salway | Professor Dept sociological studies |
Public health, health inequalities, ethnic minorities and social isolation. |
| Robin Sen | Sociological Studies | Children and Families safegaurding. |
| Fuschia Sirois | Psychology Reader |
Psychological factors and qualities risk or resilience for physical health and well-being. |
| Robert Stern | Philosphy Professor |
The Ethical Demand: Løgstrup's Ethics and Its Implications', to work on the ethics of the Danish philosopher Løgstrup takes into account a demand by people that is built into our experience of life with other people: People influence other peoples lives, link to trust. |
| Brendan Stone | School of English Professor |
Mental health. |
| Malcolm Tait | Urban Studies and Planning HoD and Professor |
Urban Villages, housing/built environment. |
| Mark Tomlinson | Sociological Studies Senior Lecturer, Sociology and Social Policy |
Measuring social isolation (in relation to poverty) and dimensions of wellbeing. |
| Anna Topakas | Management school | Loneliness in the workplace. |
| Peter Totterdell | Psychology | Processes through which people influence the moods and emotions of others. Previous work includes daydreaming and loneliness. |
| Alan Walker | Sociological Studies Professor |
Older people, ageing. |
| Tom Webb | Psychology Social Pschologist |
How people achieve their goals and make changes to their behaviour. |
| Scott Weich |
Professor of Mental Health |
Distribution, causes and consequences of mental disorders. Measurement and epidemiology of mental well-being. |
| Luc de Witte | ScHARR | Assistive technology, care robotics. |
| Sue White | Sociological Studies Social Work Professor |
Social Work, families and distancing practices in child protection. |
University of Sheffield PhD students:
| Name | Department | Research |
|---|---|---|
| Manel Lemmouchi | Education | Loneliness in the context of Higher Education. |
| Louise Whitehead | Sociological Studies | Loneliness and role of co-production in later life, safeguarding and loneliness. |
| Queyu Ren | Management School | Loneliness as an outcome of personality and workplace relationships. |
| Dave Clayton | CATCH and Sociological Studies | Technology and loneliness in later life. |
| Winnie Lam | Management School | Work life balance and informal carers. |
| Belinda K Ledger | Public Health, ScHARR | Exploring the potential to promote healthy ageing and reduce multimorbidity by enhancing social connections post-retirement. |
| Yichao He | Department of Landscape Architecture | Supporting ageing-in-place: the role of outdoor space in Chinese urban neighbourhoods. |
| Florence Gaughan | Sociological Studies | Lonely but Never Alone - An Exploration of Loneliness and Parenthood Among Young Mothers |
| Liam Wrigley | Sociological Studies | A narrative analysis of NEET young people’s capitals, social ties and networks in Greater Manchester |
External research associates:
- John Ratcliffe
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John Ratcliffe studied for his bachelor’s degree in Sociology, and master’s degree in Social Research, at the University of Sheffield, and is now conducting doctoral research in the University of York’s Health Sciences department. He also worked in social care for a number of years before returning to academia, and as a Sheffielder, continues to be part of The Centre’s research team despite having left the city itself!
Broadly, he aims to bridge theoretical knowledge to the everyday realities of people, with a particular focus on emotional well-being. His PhD project is an investigation into older men’s propensity to acknowledge and seek help for loneliness, which builds on his master’s dissertation, which was entitled ‘A lonely old man stuck in front of the television: understanding masculinities and loneliness in older men, and its relevance to policy and services’.
He is/has been involved in three research projects at The University of Sheffield:
- The Integrated Care Programme Pilot: An Interim Report (with Age UK Sheffield, 2016)
- Safeguarding Children from Fabricated and Induced illness in England: A Review of the Experiences of Local Safeguarding Children (with Kingston Hospital, current)
- Evaluation of the British Red Cross Community Connectors Programme (with the British Red Cross and Co-operative, current)
- Dave Clayton
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David Clayton's background is in Social Work, Social Care Commissioning and Project Management. He is a current PhD student in CATCH (Centre for Assistive Technology and Connected Healthcare) at the University of Sheffield, with the Technology for Health Ageing and Well-being (THAW) research scholarships.
- Katey Twyford
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Katey is a research associate for the Centre for Loneliness Studies, University of Sheffield. Katey has just completed a doctorate on the possibilities and practicalities of people with dementia living in extra care housing. The qualitative research involved interview and focus groups with residents, staff and managers of extra care housing schemes which identified and explored the contribution of a well-developed community to preventing loneliness and unwanted isolation. Prior to this Katey worked for over 30 years in social care and health settings including the independent, local authority and health sectors.
Her work has frequently covered issues of working across agencies to provide the best possible support for vulnerable people in need of services. Hearing the voice of current and potential services users has been critical to Katey’s work and research, and has influenced the development and use of different models of co-delivery and co-production. Katey runs a reading and discussion group for people living with dementia and their carers to help prevent loneliness and isolation.
- Florence Gaughan
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Florence Gaughan, Research Associate at the Centre for Loneliness Studies, University of Sheffield, is a Sociology graduate from the University of Sheffield who has carried out a variety of research using qualitative research methods. She recently worked on a project exploring mothers’ experiences of breastfeeding. This involved one to one interviews with mothers and families. The project was selected to represent the University of Sheffield at the prestigious Posters in Parliament competition. Florence also has experience working within the health sector and volunteering for older peoples support groups and a blind club. She is also involved with a non-profit music and arts organisation in Sheffield. These work and volunteering experiences within community settings have allowed her to develop a passion for supporting people from marginalised and under-represented groups. Florence is anticipating carrying out some research into loneliness among young mothers in the near future.
- Royce Turner
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Royce Turner is a policy analyst who has led over 40 research projects for UK central government departments, local authorities, various NHS bodies, government agencies such as the Equality and Human Rights Commission, voluntary and community sector organisations, and European Union directorates.
His research agenda has always policy issues that have an impact on people’s lives. He is currently looking at the impact of high-rise living on loneliness and on mental health. Previously, he has examined economic regeneration, evaluating the outcomes of regeneration policies in areas undergoing major economic restructuring, and how companies modernise to meet new challenges. More recently, he examined the impact of skilled labour, and its relationship with cultural and social capital, on the economic competitiveness of localities.
Royce Turner has extensive knowledge of organisational and governmental structures, gained from working in industry at the then British Steel Corporation, in university research centres, and from being a director of an independent research company. This experience is underpinned by his academic studies – he has a BA (Hons) from the University of Sheffield in Politics, and MA (Econ) from the University of Manchester in Public Policy and Administration, and a PhD from the University of Liverpool.
External partners:
- South Yorkshire Police
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South Yorkshire Police is among the most improving police forces in England and Wales. We are committed to making South Yorkshire a safer place to live in, work in or visit. We pride ourselves in delivering a service with integrity, sensitivity and respect, always putting people first.
Our ambition is to be the best police force in the country as well as being a balanced organisation providing the full range of services to the people of South Yorkshire whilst delivering their priorities.
We recognise that there is always more that we can do to improve. To do this we know we need to invest in the development of our staff and forge strong partnerships with other agencies to make South Yorkshire’s communities safer.
- Sheffield Young Carers
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Sheffield Young Carers is an independent charity that has existed in Sheffield since 1997. We are dedicated to supporting young carers across the city.
For more information on Sheffield Young Carers then visit their website by clicking the button below:
- Sheffield Carers Centre
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Sheffield Carers Centre is operated by a consortium of local charities committed to supporting carers in the city. The service is for adult carers who are looking after someone who is also an adult (aged 18+).
For more information on Sheffield Carers Centre then visit their website by clicking the button below:
- Equal Arts (HenPower)
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The HenPower project brings together older people and hen-keeping to combat loneliness and depression and improve wellbeing. Now in more than 40 care homes, HenPower creatively engages older people in arts activities and hen-keeping to promote health and wellbeing and reduce loneliness.
- Age UK
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Age UK is the country's largest charity dedicated to helping everyone make the most of later life. The over-60s is the fastest-growing group in society and there are more of us than ever before. Ageing is not an illness, but it can be challenging. At Age UK we provide services and support at a national and local level to inspire, enable and support older people. We stand up and speak for all those who have reached later life, and also protect the long-term interests of future generations.
For more information on Age UK then visit their website by clicking the button below:
- Leeds Older People's Forum
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Leeds Older People’s Forum aims to promote the well-being of all older people in the city of Leeds, and to give a more powerful voice to older people in shaping their city for the benefit of all its citizens.
For more information on Leeds Older Peoples' Forum then visit their website by clicking the button below: