Precarious Lives
Thank you to everyone who got in touch about taking part in focus groups and interviews as part of our research for the Precarious Lives project.
If you have any questions about our project, please get in touch at research@tonichousing.org.uk.
ABOUT THE RESEARCH
It is becoming increasingly evident that many older LGBTQ+ people face financial and material problems in later life, a situation that has been heightened by the recent cost of living crisis. Despite this, there is little research to date as to why these problems are so prevalent among older LGBTQ+ people.
We are conducting a major study, entitled Precarious Lives, that will explore the prevalence of financial and material precarity amongst older LGBTQ+ people in London. It will look at the experiences, causes and the links with other forms of inequality and discrimination. Precarious Lives is informed by an advisory group that includes members of the LGBTQ+ community as well as representatives from service providers, local authorities and support organisations. Most importantly, it engages older people from all sections of London’s LGBTQ+ community, asking those with first- hand experience to share their stories and help bring change.
The first phase of the project, which included conducting a survey of older LGBTQ+ people, was initiated by the charity Opening Doors, which sadly closed in February 2024.
Tonic has taken on this important research project and has applied for funding to gather final evidence and lived experience through focus groups and interviews, prior to issuing a report in early 2025.
We would like to thank everyone who has completed the survey. In addition, we can confirm that Tonic has now sent out the prizes for the prize draw that was set up by Opening Doors for survey participants.