The 'saying hello' project report

The ‘Saying Hello’ study was a three and half year study which was completed in July 2007. This was a joint venture conducted with Age Concern Wigan Borough together with a group of older volunteer co-researchers. The study aims were to:•investigate ways in which older people manage potential or actual loneliness and isolation •promote successful coping strategies that support health and well being by preventing and reducing loneliness and isolation •influence local, regional and national policies and practices with respect to the aspirations of older people. The Saying Hello Project employed a dynamic range of methods to investigate the prevention and management of loneliness in the most inclusive way possible. Methods included individual and group interviews and personally written narratives resulting in rich data from 149 respondents. Detailed analysis was undertaken and results disseminated in both innovative ways, such as a DVD and Talking Play, and more traditional ways such as reports and presentations. In terms of impact, the study informed partners such as statutory service providers and voluntary agencies about the strategies older people employed to manage loneliness and isolation. A separate publication has captured the impact of public involvement in research on two of the older people who undertook a co-researcher role. (See Williamson, T; Brogden, J; Jones, E; & Ryan, J (2010) Impact of public involvement in research on quality of life and society: a case study of research career trajectories. International Journal of Consumer Studies, 34, 551-557