The Role of Co-production in Combating Loneliness and Social Isolation in Later Life: A Case Study of the Time to Shine Programme.

This thesis was commissioned by collaborative partners, the University of Sheffield and Time to Shine, part of the National Lottery Community Fund Fulfilling Lives: Ageing Better programme. The aim of this thesis was to bring three bodies of knowledge: loneliness and social isolation; co-production and theories of power and empowerment in a unique way to explore how co-production could be used to combat loneliness and social isolation. The research questions were central to the thesis: 1. What are the lived experiences of loneliness and social isolation of older people? 2. How do people’s lived experiences contribute to strategies and services to address loneliness and social isolation? 3. What are the important elements necessary for co-production? 4. Can a model of co-production be developed to inform future work with older people who are socially isolated and lonely?
The empirical research took place in Leeds, using the Time to Shine programme as a case study. The researcher took an interpretivist ontological and social constructionist epistemological stance and a Participatory Action Research approach. The empirical research used a range of qualitative research methods including literature review, semi structured interviews, sensory and mapping interviews, and a focus group.
This thesis argues that co-production is both paradigm and praxis and that power plays a central role in the relationships between stakeholders. It also details the lived experience of loneliness and social isolation in later life and incorporates this into an understanding of co-production with older people who are lonely and isolated. The thesis cements its contribution to knowledge with its recommendations for practice in several areas, including approaches to research in this area work, loneliness and social isolation services and the essential elements required for successful co-production. The thesis culminates with a recommended model for co-production with older people who are lonely and isolated with elements of learning which is transferable to other contexts.