Nostalgia as a psychological resource for people with dementia

Background: Reminiscence interventions for people with dementia ignore the role of nostalgia, despite overwhelming evidence that nostalgia is a psychological resource in social psychology research involving non-clinical populations. To date, research has not examined the effects of nostalgia among people with dementia. One possible reason for this is that dementia is rarely conceptualised as an existential threat although existential concerns are implicit within the dementia literature. Aim: To compare nostalgic and non-nostalgic memories on a range of psychological resources (outcomes) among people with mild to moderate dementia. Methods: Two randomised controlled experimental studies were conducted among individuals with mild to moderate dementia. Nostalgic and non-nostalgic memories were evoked either using an event-reflection technique (Study 1) or music (Study 2). Outcome measures were social connectedness, self-esteem, meaning in life, self-continuity, optimism and positive and negative affect. Data were analysed using content analysis to explore the way in which both memories were experienced. Several statistical tests were then used to compare the two memories on the outcomes. Results: Nostalgic memories were experienced differently from non-nostalgic memories. Nostalgic memories tended to be more self-relevant, prominently featured people and sometimes assumed a redemption sequence. Statistically, nostalgic memories significantly increased social connectedness, self-esteem, meaning in life, self-continuity, optimism and positive (but not negative) affect relative to non-nostalgic memories in both studies. However, only individuals who were more resilient (Study 2) or were higher in trait deficit-reduction (Study 1) perceived social connectedness benefits from nostalgia. Moreover, participants who were more neurotic did not derive meaning in life and self-continuity benefits from nostalgia (Study 1).Conclusion: Nostalgia is a positive psychological resource for people with mild to moderate dementia. This calls for future research to investigate the use of nostalgic reminiscence as an intervention to manage various existential threats among people with dementia

Food Settings and the health and wellbeing of older people: An annotated bibliography and summary of the literature

Little evidence has been collated on the role that food settings play in the health and wellbeing of older people. The purpose of this bibliography is to bring together evidence from a variety of fields and to begin to identify common themes, key learning and gaps in the literature. This annotated bibliography and summary of the literature review is a stepping stone to a narrative account of the field

Community business impacts on health and well-being: A systematic review of the evidence

PurposeThis paper aims to provide critical insight into the impact of locally embedded, community business-related approaches internationally to health and social care on users’ outcomes, in particular exploring their effectiveness in delivering outcomes for users.Design/methodology/approachThe study used a robust systematic review methodology. It carefully identifies relevant studies that have been conducted on the impact of community business-related approaches, rigorously evaluates how well these studies have been carried out and combines the results from these studies to address that particular topic.FindingsHealth and social care-related community businesses deliver on a range of health and well-being outcomes and impacts positively on local residents’ satisfaction with their community/local area. Existing research into community businesses uses mostly qualitative methods, but a few studies have also used quantitative survey and mixed methods and demonstrate the challenges of conducting methodologically rigorous real-world research within local community settings.Research limitations/implicationsThe review was limited to papers published in English language and may have missed relevant studies published in other languages which could have influenced the overall findings. Only one reviewer screened the titles and abstracts of the identified papers. Having multiple reviewers would have strengthened the validity of the screening process.Originality/valueCommunity businesses offer a positive contribution to health and well-being, and highlight the significance of engaging local communities in promoting health, reducing health inequalities and addressing the wider determinants of health. This paper provides a baseline of evidence about community business’ broad impacts on health and well-being to help inform new and emerging evidenc

Strengthening networks for community-based action on 'good food'

‘Food for Life Get Togethers’ are regular community activities that connect people from all ages and backgrounds through growing, cooking and eating good food. The programme seeks to support the aspirations of community food organisers of which an important aspect includes fostering connections through their national and local networks. UWE’s research between May to July 2022 sought to explore the experiences of participants and facilitators in Get Togethers networking activities. Using a mixed methods study design, the research involved the analysis of programme records, a survey with 97 individuals engaged in programme Network Events and 19 in-depth interviews with participants and facilitators

Plant and share: An evaluation of food for life get togethers' small grants

This is a follow-up survey of the 2022 round of Plant and Share grant holders. It builds upon the UWE’s survey of the Cook and Share grant programme. It provides additional evidence on the small grants component of FFLGT with respect to growing. It also includes evidence on the future interests of community food activity organisers

Strengthening networks for community-based action on 'good food': Short report

‘Food for Life Get Togethers’ are regular community activities that connect people from all ages and backgrounds through growing, cooking and eating good food. The programme seeks to support the aspirations of community food organisers of which an important aspect includes fostering connections through their national and local networks. UWE’s research between May to July 2022 sought to explore the experiences of participants and facilitators in Get Togethers networking activities. Using a mixed methods study design, the research involved the analysis of programme records, a survey with 97 individuals engaged in programme Network Events and 19 in-depth interviews with participants and facilitators

My Food Community: Full evaluation report on the first 2 years of the Community Food Leadership Programme

My Food Community (MFC) is run as an online training programme for approximately six months, with opportunity for face-to-face meetings. After the training, participants can apply for a small grant to give them the opportunity to put their newly developed skills into practice by implementing a food-based project in their local area. To date, the programme has run twice starting in September 2021 and in September 2022. This evaluation report covers both programme runs

Food for life get togethers: Programme evaluation summary and synthesis final report

This report provides a summary and synthesis of UWE’s evaluation of the Food for Life Get Togethers programme (2019–23). The phrase ‘Get Togethers’ highlights the connections that people from all ages and backgrounds can make through growing, cooking and sharing good food. The aim of the Get Togethers programme has been to help create a world where people of different ages and backgrounds regularly connect, learn and play a more active role in their local food system

Apart but not alone - Neighbour support and the Covid-19 lockdown

Initial findings from the survey in Bristol and the West Country, 6th - 12th April 2020 (days 14-20 of the UK Government Coronavirus Restrictions

Systematic review of community business related approaches to health and social care

This report provides insight into the impact of community business-related approaches to health and social care on users’ outcomes, in particular exploring how effectivethey are in delivering outcomes for users. Community businesses are rooted within a particular area, trade for the benefit of the local community, are accountable to and led by the local community and demonstrate broad community impact. In recent years community businesses have emerged in the wider health and social care market to address factors in local communities that may benefit or harm health and wellbeing. Moreover, publications focused on the evaluation of health and wellbeing benefits of community businesses have also increasedwithin the last four years