For some months in 2026 I worked with academics at the University of Manchester as they used creative methods to research older LGBTQ people’s experiences of home and care.

The researchers devised a series of creative workshops for their participants and I was on hand to document the workshops and later create sketch/text combinations to tell the story. The sketches were exhibited in at the University’s Samuel Alexander Building as part of Creative Manchester’s rolling exhibition programme.

Here’s an extract from the introduction:

‘Older lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer (LGBTQ) people experience health and social inequalities which continue into later life, and their needs are often poorly met by housing and social care services. 

‘Between April and June 2026, we worked with a group of eight older LGBTQ people to explore their experiences of home, care, and belonging, through creative methods. 

‘We held five workshops and also met some participants individually in their local neighbourhoods. This work explored methods that enable people to express their experiences over time and space, through movement, material things and feelings.’

More about the project here