Date: Thursday 4 November 2021
Time: 10.00am – 11.30am GMT

At this knowledge exchange workshop, hosted by ILC in collaboration with the Centre for Research in Health and Social Care, School for Policy Studies at the University of Bristol, we discussed new findings from the DICE study*, and the following questions:

• What do inclusive communities look like in housing with care and support schemes for older people?
• How do residents and staff contribute to inclusive environments?
• What makes residents from diverse backgrounds feel included/excluded?

Key themes addressed included:

• Experiences of residents from diverse backgrounds (sexuality, gender identity, ethnic minority groups and minority faith groups, disability)
• How housing schemes help tackle social isolation and loneliness
• How staff and residents support and promote inclusive practices
• How the physical design of housing schemes promotes or inhibits social interaction and inclusion
• Enablers and barriers to promoting social inclusion in housing schemes.

We welcomed attendees from housing schemes and providers (residents, staff, managers), researchers interested in ageing issues and housing provision, and practitioners working in the community to support older people.

This event was chaired by Kate Pierpoint, Head of Projects at ILC

Speakers included:

• Dr Paul Willis, School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol (DICE, lead investigator)
• Dr Brian Beach, Research Fellow, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, UCL
• Dr Jill Powell, Senior Research Associate (DICE), School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol
• Dr Alex Vickery, Research Associate (DICE), School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol

*About the study:

The DICE (Diversity in Care Environments) study is a 2.5 year study funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and hosted by the School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol. The broad aim is to explore the social inclusion of older people from socially diverse backgrounds living in housing with care and support schemes in England and Wales. This is in order to benefit social wellbeing, bolster against social exclusion, social isolation and marginalisation, and promote social cohesion in housing schemes. Housing with care and support includes extra care, independent living and sheltered housing schemes for older people. Findings presented will be based on a national survey of 700+ residents across schemes in England and Wales and qualitative interviews conducted with residents, staff and stakeholders. The study is in collaboration with ILC-UK and Housing LIN.
Read more about the study here.