Sharing our findings with key stakeholders: A knowledge exchange event for the TOUS study

The TOUS study (Tailoring cultural offers with and for diverse older users of social prescribing) has been running for almost 20 months. As it draws to a close, we have started sharing our ideas about the data (from observations and interviews) with key stakeholders. This has been through discussion sessions, where we talked about stories collected as part of data from older people and service providers. These discussion sessions have taken place in the north and south of England, and we have another such event planned in Wales. These events allow us to engage in interpretation of data with potential beneficiaries or providers of cultural activities or groups.

We also held, in Oxford, at the start of March 2025, a meeting with stakeholders – 20 people from the cultural sector; individuals we hope our findings will be relevant to and useful for informing how they work. We presented key concepts we have developed from the data (including ideas raised in the discussion sessions mentioned above). We also gave them plenty of opportunity to reflect on and share with us their thoughts. 

Reflections from the meeting

It was reassuring to hear from those present that the ideas we were developing from the data were relevant, useful and resonated with them. They described how the concepts we presented gave them language to talk about issues they faced when trying to engage with older people from diverse communities. They noted that some of the concepts we raised could be applicable to other groups that may feel marginalised from cultural provision (e.g. people with cognitive impairments or with learning disabilities). 

Incorporating points raised into our findings

We discussed with those present at this event terms we had developed to talk about some of the key concepts from the research. We invited them to post their thoughts about these concepts on a ‘wall of feedback’ we had in the room, as illustrated in this photograph.

Feedback suggested that a few of the concepts we had developed may require attention. For example, we used the term ‘broker’ to describe someone who introduces an older person to a cultural activity or group (e.g. in a theatre, in a library). This person is often known to the older person and trusted by them. Therefore, they act as a bridge between the cultural offer and the older person. Some of those attending the knowledge exchange event stated that the term broker was too linked to ‘selling’ and did not imply a two-way exchange between the older person and broker. Instead, they suggested terms such as community builder or connector. We will be considering as a team how to take this feedback on board as we write up the results. We will be publishing a report from this study later in the year; it will incorporate feedback from this knowledge exchange event. 

Producing an online tool

As part of the meeting, we proposed producing an online tool that can be used by organisations considering developing cultural provision for diverse communities or trying to do so and facing challenges; we envisage it could be helpful for planning purposes and for identifying why challenges may be occurring. The proposed online tool would be based on the concepts we have developed from the research. Those attending the knowledge exchange event were very receptive to what we proposed. They were keen to help us create an online tool that was accessible and useful to providers in the cultural sector. We look forward to working with them on this over the coming months.

The study mentioned in this blog is funded by a grant from UK Research and Innovation (MR/Y010000/1). The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of the funder or the author’s host institution.