Getting On: Understanding & Writing Love in Later Life
Project Overview
Getting On: Understanding & Writing Love in Later Life is a new project that explores and embraces the lived experience and cultural representations of love in later life in Scotland today. The project is being run from the University of Strathclyde by staff in Creative Writing and Social Work/Social Policy in collaboration with Autumn Voices, the organisation for growing old creatively.
The impetus for Getting On... originates in the research for Best Friends, the forthcoming novel on love in later life from project lead Dr Andrew Meehan (publication by Muswell Press in May 2025). Seeking further understanding on the subject, Andrew has teamed up with colleague Professor Trish Hafford-Letchfield, who has a considerable body of work on sexuality and ageing. Together they are curious to see how a combined approach of creative practice and social research can shed new light on what it means to love as we grow older.
ESRC Impact Acceleration
This project, which is funded by the ESRC Impact Acceleration fund (administered the University of Strathclyde) hopes to achieve impact by informing a change in attitudes to love and ageing.
Our Activities
We have a range of activities, co-delivered with Autumn Voices. We welcome any participants who are Scottish residents, over 60 and who have considered what it means to love as we grow older. Writers and readers are welcome, as well as those who want to reflect on lived experience.
This project is driven by a commitment to diversity and inclusiveness. We strongly encourage participants from underrepresented areas of society to take part.
Project Team
Dr Andrew Meehan
Subject Leader for English & Creative Writing
Novelist and screenwriter with an interest in the shapes and stories to be found in romantic and familial love. Andrew has published four critically acclaimed novels and was longlisted for the 2018 Desmond Elliott Prize, the UK's most prestigious award for debut novelists.
Prof. Trish Hafford-Letchfield
Social work and Social Policy
Trish's research relates to the experiences of ageing in marginalised communities and is applied and co-produced with people with lived experience. Trish has over 150 publications including 20 key books covering topics like leadership, management, organisational development, feminism, sexual and gender identities and more.
Autumn Voices
Autumn Voices is an organisation based in Scotland that seeks to celebrate creativity in later life. They welcome everyone aged 60 and over and aim to dispel many of the negative stereotypes associated with getting older. They focus instead on positive ageing and the tonic provided by creativity in later life.
Further Information
For further information on the project and the activities including, eligibility, signing up and privacy policies, please visit our FAQs section.
Contact us
loveinlaterlife@strath.ac.uk
+44 (0) 141 444 8421
Lord Hope Building
141 St James Road
Glasgow G4 0LT