Researchers at the University of Plymouth are supporting the Ageing Well Torbay programme by providing vital evaluation research to help us understand what works and what doesn’t when it comes to reducing loneliness and isolation across Torbay. The research team includes staff from SERIO, an applied research unit and Ian Sheriff and Professor Ray Jones. Prof. Ray Jones specialises in research related to e-health, while Ian Sheriff is a leading figure in dementia policy, advising the Government on how to create dementia friendly communities. 

As with all parts of the Ageing Well programme older people’s involvement is a key feature of the evaluation. The University of Plymouth are working with a team of Citizen Evaluators, older people who live/work in Torbay to evaluate services and activities and help shape the way Ageing Well Torbay is delivered in the future. Examples of the type of activities Citizen Evaluators are currently involved in include developing research tools, interviewing people engaged in Ageing Well Torbay projects about their experiences and writing these up into case studies. If you are interested in becoming a Citizen Evaluator please contact the research team on serio@plymouth.ac.uk or call 01752 588942.