Spotlights on… LGBTQ+ Experiences
Our experiences of growing older are shaped by many factors, including our health, finances and the communities in which we live. And, just as importantly, these experiences are also shaped by who we are and the people we love.
But imagine if just being yourself resulted in barriers, discrimination and inequalities that affected your health and well-being, access to services and even your sense of belonging.
This is still unfortunately the case for many LGBTQ+ older people in Wales, despite the significant progress that’s been made towards greater equality and inclusion in recent decades.
To ensure that services and support are inclusive and person-centred, it’s crucial that policy- and decision-makers understand the realities of the barriers faced by older people in all of their diversity, including the experiences of LGBTQ+ older people.
That’s the focus of my Spotlights on… LGBTQ+ Experiences project, which will feature contributions from individuals and organisations examining the particular challenges LGBTQ+ people can face as they grow older, as well as good practice that’s making a positive difference.
By shining a light on these issues, identifying cross-cutting themes and exploring potential solutions, I want to help inspire action across our public services that will lead to meaningful improvements in LGBTQ+ older people’s experiences.
I will be publishing contributions on a rolling basis during the weeks ahead, before sharing my own commentary and reflections, so do keep an eye out for the latest updates.
We begin the series with a contribution from Professor Paul Willis from Cardiff University, who explores why LGBTQ+ older people may have concerns about receiving care at home, and why it’s important that social care providers and community services do more to build trust and confidence.
Read Paul's LGBTQ+ Spotlights Contribution
