PhD Student Profile
Project title
'The Lived Experiences of LGBT+ Informal Caregivers of Older Adults Living in England: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis.'
Supervisors:
Chair:
Profile summary
My PhD project examines the lived experiences of informal caregivers who identify as being LGBT+ living in their own homes in England. This is a group of under-represented caregivers in research, at a time where state and policy focuses on a joint approach of informal care being provided by ‘family’. Since the 2014 Care Act came into being, allowing informal carers for the first time to not only be entitled to assessment, but to have their own needs considered by local authorities for provision of entitlement to information and services. My thesis uses a scoping study approach in the initial stages to map current literature and policy surrounding this topic, and uses telephone interviews with local authorities charged under the Act to provide care; and third sector charities who engage and support this group of carers in these early days of Act provision. Following this is an online survey with informal carers across England, to gauge their encounters with the Care Act assessments. This will identity potential participants for in-depth interviews in two phases, approximately 12 months apart to establish their experiences past, present and future for their caregiving.
I am a doctoral candidate in the Faculty of Health, Canterbury Christ Church University, England. I am currently a senior lecturer within the School of Allied Health – Occupational Therapy, and teaches across the foundation degree and undergraduate programmes. My main areas of expertise lie within adult, and older person’s community mental health. I have been a caregiver for my own older family members, and sees myself as an Ally for the LGBT community. My PhD is funded by my Faculty at the university.
Teaching and subject expertise
Level 4: Person Centred Care; Wheelchairs; Ageing; Resilience and Wellbeing; Professional Development; Placement supervision.
Level 5: Promoting Active Engagement in Everyday Living; Skills for Creative Activities; Professional Development. Placement supervision.
Level 6: Promoting participation for health and well-being; Occupation Focused Practice; Collaborative Practice; Professional Development.
Masters student supervision: Falls; Dementia.
Research outputs
Publications
Submission to the British Journal of Occupational Therapists, special edition on Ageing.
Conferences
May 2018 – Abstract submitted to the World Federation of Occupational Therapists. Connected for diversity, positioned for Impact. ‘The Lived Experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Caregivers in England: Early Findings.’
May 2017 – PGRA Conference, Canterbury Christ Church University. ‘Crossing Academic Boundaries.’ Canterbury, Kent.
Previously: Clark N, Keefe L, Jensen J ‘Preparing and Supporting Students on Role Emerging Placements’. Staff Conference, Canterbury Christ Church University, 2010.
Clark N, Keefe L, Jensen J ‘Preparing and Supporting Students on Role Emerging Placements’. College of Occupational Therapists, Brighton, June 2010.
Taylor J, Volkert A, Clark N, ‘Recovering Ordinary Lives’ East Kent NHS Strategy Conference November 2009.
Kingsland N, Holness E, Wildman G. ‘A Design for Better Living in Later Life - Joint working with Kent Adult Education Service’. College of Occupational Therapists, Glasgow, June 2003
Funding
May 2017 – 3 Minute Thesis competition – Faculty runner up.
February 2017 – Faculty RKE money to attend NVIVO training, and IPA conference.