This research was produced in collaboration with, and funded by the Collaborative Older Adults Research Network (COARN). The COARN was created by a group of multidisciplinary researchers from Sheffield Hallam University who wanted to develop a ‘Levelling Up’ research agenda for older adults, designed and developed by older adults and their key stakeholders throughout the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham, Sheffield). The aim was to find out what is important to older adults and also expand the network of stakeholders working with, advocating for, and supporting older adults, or those with lived experience within the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA). 

For this specific research project, the COARN worked in conjunction with Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council who run The Barnsley Adult Social Care transformation programme called the Better Lives Programme (2021-2024).