Meaningful dissemination produces the “long tail” that engenders community impact.

Abstract

Lack of understanding of the needs of older LGBT individuals is a global issue and their needs are often ignored by health and social care providers who adopt sexuality-blind approaches within their provision. As a result public services can find it difficult to push the LGBT equalities agenda forward due resistance to change and underlying discrimination. This paper considers how a body of research concerning the needs and experiences of older LGBT people was used to create innovatory tools to engage communities in learning about the needs and experiences of older LGBT citizens. The paper will consider how research outputs have been used to develop creative learning tools, including film and a method deck of cards, offering opportunities to learn and critically reflect upon practice built upon a research informed knowledge base. The workshops developed as part of our social impact dissemination strategy demonstrate the importance of having a champion within an organisation to take forward the LGBT agenda.