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This case study shows how Alan Walker's internationally acclaimed research on active ageing has led to policy and practice changes locally, nationally and internationally in response to what is widely recognised as the grand societal challenge of population ageing. Walker developed the concept of active ageing which has been adopted by national governments in Quebec and Northern Ireland, national charities and Sheffield City Council, leading in each case to significant policy change which is benefiting older people. As a result of this work Walker was awarded the inaugural ESRC Impact Champion prize in 2013
The Fiction and Cultural Mediation of Ageing Project (FCMAP), funded by Research Councils UK as part of the New Dynamics of Ageing programme undertook qualitative social research investigating the relationship between ageing, cultural representation and experiential narrative understanding. The project produced specific public policy recommendations in key areas including flexibility for older workers, pensions, targeting benefits, and diverse service provision to support active ageing. Outcomes were disseminated through a series of public events, the Demos policy report, Coming of Age, 2011, and subsequently at a policy `Roundtable', where they were welcomed by the Head of Pensions, Ageing Strategy and Analysis Division at the Department of Work and Pensions and several key stakeholders in the public and third sectors. The work has received substantial publicity and has helped set the agenda and decision making climate for policy makers working to support an ageing population. The Centre for Policy on Ageing endorsed FCMAP for the nomination of the ESRC Celebrating Impact Prize in the category of Outstanding Impact in Public Policy.
Prof. Andrew Fearne's consumer insight research project influenced marketing practice in almost 400 farming and small food businesses, while helping eight food industry associations and regional development agencies meet their remits. It also supported local supplier initiatives at the UK's largest supermarket, Tesco. A recent participant survey showed that 89% of farmers and small food producers who engaged with the project found that the consumer insight was either `quite' or `extremely useful'. Meanwhile, the project helped Tesco grow its sales of local food and drink from £0.5 billion (2005) to over £1 billion (2012) against average retail sales growth of less than 5% per year over the same period (Office of National Statistics).
Since 2009, research has been undertaken into strategies, practice and provision for active-ageing, specifically examining the mental and physical health and well-being benefits of group activities on culturally diverse older people. The main impact of this research has been the establishment of twelve Movers and Shakers groups. This has benefited approximately 500 older people. There are plans to establish four more groups in Buckinghamshire, including a group for people with learning disabilities. Outside of the County, interest in adoption of the model has been expressed by Hillingdon Borough Council and by a housing group operating in Hertfordshire.
Loughborough University research into town centre consumer perceptions and behaviour has changed the awareness, attitudes and approaches of industry bodies, policymakers and retailers with regard to driving evidence-based strategies for town centre recovery. Nationally, it has informed industry bodies such as the British Retail Consortium and the Association of Town and City Management of the value of consumer perceptions for developing and evaluating town centre strategy. Locally, it formed a key component of the evidence-based advice that helped Loughborough Town Centre win a place in the government-commissioned Portas Pilot project to rejuvenate Britain's High Streets. High Street giants such as Boots have also acknowledged its importance.