The purpose of this Method Deck is to help agencies and communities develop inclusive and sensitive practice with older lesbian and gay people.

While there are no official statistics for the number of older lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people in the UK, based on the estimate that LGB people comprise roughly 6 per cent of the UK population, we can assume that there are at least 600,000 older LGB people currently living in the UK (Age UK, 2011).

The Equality Act (2010) requires all public bodies and those performing public functions to eliminate unlawful discrimination, advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations between groups. The Method Deck contains information, practical tips, and exercises to help agencies and communities think creatively about their approach to equality, and how they provide services for older lesbians and gay men.

This collection of methods was developed by staff within the School of Health and Social Care at Bournemouth University, in collaboration with a Steering Group of older people with funding from the Big Lottery Fund. It builds on previous research projects undertaken by Bournemouth University into the experiences of older gay and lesbian citizens (Gay and Grey Project, 2006; The ‘Gay and Pleasant Land? A Study about Positioning, Ageing and Gay Life in Rural South West England and Wales’ 2008-2011).

Your agency can use these cards to facilitate staff development around the needs of older lesbians and gay men. The pack can be used as a whole, or individual cards can be used as ‘stand- alone’ activities. If you require packs, please contact me.  As I would like to undertake an on-going evaluation of the usefulness of the pack, I would be grateful if I could send you an evaluation form to assess your agencies use of the tool.

If you would like any further information about the Methods to Diversity tool, or the research projects which have underpinned it, please contact Dr. Lee-Ann Fenge. Email: lfenge@bournemouth.ac.uk       Tel: 01202 961693

• Professor Lee-Ann Fenge Director of the Centre of Seldom Heard Voices, Marginalisation and Societal Integration / NCPQSWPP