Formerly – Older people’s council in Brighton and Hove

Marina Murphy was up until recently a co-opted committee member of the Older People’s Council in Brighton and Hove. She recently resigned from this role, because of perceived limitations of the group in terms of ‘reach’, ‘inclusion’ and ‘effectiveness’. The committee was also ‘male dominated’.

She is interested in developing a research project looking into the health and well being needs of BME older people in Brighton and Hove and the surrounding area

There is little known about this group locally and because of this it would be best to carry out a quantitative and qualitative study.

Marina is particularly interested in exploring cultural models of ageing and how they impact on this very specific group. Her contention is that many BME older people are unprepared for the isolation, invisibility and less than positive regard afforded ‘older people’ in the UK, as compared to how older people can be regarded (status, respect and value) in their countries of origin.

She is interested in developing a participatory approach to the research and ideally would like to work in partnership with academic staff and students at the University of Brighton.