GRACE-Epi Monthly Methods: Engaging in leisure in later life

For the latest webinar in the GRACE-Epi Monthly Methods series, researchers from our team shared how leisure activities shape mental, physical, and cognitive wellbeing in later life, and the barriers and enablers that influence participation.

16 April 2026

About the webinar

In our latest GRACE-Epi Monthly Methods webinar we were joined by the team behind WE-EngAGE, a collaboration between UCL and The University of Edinburgh.

Researchers shared how leisure activities shape mental, physical, and cognitive wellbeing in later life, and the barriers and enablers that influence participation. A variety of approaches were used — from analyses of existing cohort data to rich qualitative insights from focus groups and quantitative results from primary data collection. Speakers also highlighted the implications of research for practice, policy, and future studies, translating evidence into meaningful impact for older adults.

Speakers: 

  • Dr Hei Wan Mak, UCL
  • Dr Saoirse Finn, UCL
  • Dr Olivia Turner, University of Edinburgh
  • Dr Katey Warran, University of Edinburgh
  • Dr Harriet Radermacher, Third Age Trust

The team would like to thank the UK Medical Research Council (MRC) for funding this work, and participants and advisory board for their support.

 

Watch back our event recording

The GRACE-Epi Monthly Methods series

Global Research on Arts and Cultural Engagement – Advancing Epidemiological Methods (GRACE-Epi) is a major new 7-year programme of work on arts and health funded through a £3.5m Wellcome Discovery Award. Learn more about GRACE-Epi on the Social Biobehavioural Research Group’s website.

Throughout the GRACE-Epi programme we are engaging in open and collaborative science. As part of this we are co-hosting monthly free training webinars considering novel methodologies, theoretical approaches and lenses, partnering with universities globally.

You can find out more about the Monthly Methods webinar series — including how to collaborate with us, details of upcoming events and recordings of past webinars — on our dedicated webpage.