Foreword
Welcome to the Voice Annual Report 2024, an opportunity to reflect on the achievements of our incredible community over the past year. This report is a celebration of the invaluable role each of you - our Voice members - plays in shaping a healthier, more inclusive future for everyone.
Throughout these pages, we invite you to discover the remarkable impact that your insights, experiences, and dedication have had on research and innovation for healthy ageing and longevity.
By sharing your lived experiences, insights and perspectives, you have helped researchers, innovators, and policymakers develop solutions that are truly aligned with the needs and aspirations of people.
Your voice is the driving force behind the advancements we are proud to highlight.
This year’s report is structured to showcase a range of projects and milestones. In our case studies section, you’ll find examples of Voice members influencing both research and commercial projects. From working with researchers on challenges in ageing and wellbeing to partnering with businesses in the co-design and co-development of new products and services, each case study provides an inside look at how your contributions are shaping solutions that make a tangible difference in people’s lives.
The international chapters section offers an update on the exciting progress and development of Voice communities
worldwide. With new chapters emerging and partnerships growing, we are building a global movement for change in healthy longevity and ageing. This section highlights where each chapter stands in its journey and our plans to expand Voice’s impact across borders.
Additionally, this report features spotlight stories from This Curious Life, our digital magazine dedicated to amplifying the stories and experiences of Voice members across all walks of life. Here, we highlight members’ journeys and insights, shining a light on the wisdom and diversity that strengthens our community and drives our mission.
Finally, our future outlook section provides a roadmap of our ambitions for the coming year. We are committed to deepening engagement, developing even more meaningful partnerships, and advancing our mission to make a lasting impact and return on society. With your continued involvement, we look forward to another year of progress, innovation, and shared success.
As you read this report, we hope you take pride in the extraordinary community you’ve built. Your involvement is invaluable and transformative. Thank you for sharing your voice and ideas, for believing in the power of collaboration, mentoring and knowledge exchange, life-long learning and intergenerational connection - and for helping us together shape a better, healthier and happier future.
Lynne Corner
Introduction
NICA + Voice®: A unique combination for healthy longevity innovation Understanding NICA’s role
Voice and the UK’s National Innovation Centre for Ageing (NICA) are distinct but interconnected organisations working together as NICA + Voice with a shared mission to improve lives by advancing innovations in healthy ageing. This relationship is often described as a ‘sister organisation’ model, where Voice, embedded within NICA, brings the perspective of everyday people directly into the heart of research, design, and development.
NICA is an international resource, established to catalyse innovation in the longevity economy — focused on products, services, and experiences that support the needs and aspirations of people, and what they need and want across all stages of longer lives. Established with initial funding from the UK Government, NICA collaborates with businesses, researchers, and policymakers to tackle the complex challenges and seize the opportunities arising from longevity economies. By facilitating research and delivering commercial projects, NICA helps organisations develop impactful, humancentred solutions that contribute to healthier, more fulfilling lives.
The role of Voice® within NICA
As the international citizen network embedded within NICA, Voice plays a unique and invaluable role. Voice connects its diverse, engaged community members with research and commercial partners, enabling them to share their lived experiences and insights. This partnership ensures that every innovation developed at NICA is shaped by real-world perspectives, making solutions more practical, relevant, and effective.
Voice members contribute through a range of activities including: co-designing new products, testing services, and participating in workshops, surveys, polls and discussions. This active involvement not only strengthens the value of each innovation but also reduces the risk of launching products that don’t meet the needs of people. Voice empowers members to influence the future of healthy ageing, bringing their wisdom and experience into initiatives that ultimately benefit society.
Voice members add a unique value to NICA’s offer. Their involvement provides businesses and innovators with critical insights that drive meaningful change. By working alongside citizens, companies can develop and refine their products in ways that directly address the real needs of their customers. This collaboration accelerates the design process, making products and services more likely to succeed in the market and have their intended societal impact.
As a Voice member, you are at the core of this movement, helping to ensure that NICA’s work is grounded in real lives and experiences. Together, NICA + Voice are advancing healthy longevity and creating a future where everyone can thrive and flourish at all stages of life.
Voice® members: The heart of NICA’s offer to businesses
155
Overall number of Voice opportunities
2300
Number of Voice members involved
Number of applications for Voice opportunities
Membership breakdown: Age
Membership breakdown: Ethnicity
Innovation
At Voice, we believe that innovation designed for people to lead healthier, longer lives has the most significant impact when it is grounded in the lived experiences of real people.
This year’s Innovation section highlights our powerful approach to co-creating impactful solutions by engaging Voice members with businesses and commercial partners. Through meaningful projects with companies in healthcare and medical device industries, Voice members have played an invaluable role in designing, refining, and testing products that address real-world needs.
In the following case studies, you’ll see Voice members in action, contributing to pioneering projects with Pfizer and SymPhysis. From informing Pfizer’s new framework for incorporating patient voices into real-world data studies, to participating in crucial usability testing for SymPhysis’ medical device, Voice members have helped shape solutions that not only improve individual experiences but set new standards in patient engagement and healthcare innovation.
These projects highlight the immense value of our members’ insights and experiences, underscoring the potential of user design to drive change and deliver better outcomes in research and product development. Together with our partners, Voice is setting the stage for a future where innovation is inclusive, impactful, and grounded in the needs of the communities it serves.
42
Number of innovation projects
1700
Number of Voice members involved in innovation projects
Number of Voice applications for innovation projects
NICA + Voice® Team Insights into:
Working with Voice® Members
Hear from Innovation Consultant Katrina about her experience of working with Voice members.
‘We tap into the opinions and experiences of Voice members through surveys, focus groups, product testing, interviews, and digital diaries. By gathering insights from these interactions, we uncover a range of perspectives that shape our understanding of user needs. These insights not only direct future exploration but also help us better understand what sparks joy or frustration. Engaging with members allows us to brainstorm solutions, identify opportunities, and improve product prototypes. The realtime feedback we receive during these engagements highlights key areas for development.
The Voice community is at the heart of everything we do.
Their honest feedback drives meaningful, data-backed reports, which shape our future recommendations. Their willingness to share openly challenges us to think differently, ensuring we never assume what users want, instead, we ask them. We appreciate the courage of Voice members who aren’t afraid to push back on our ideas, concepts, or products. Voice members contribute more
than just product insights. Their feedback also helps us grow as a team. They tell us what works and what could be better, pushing us to continually improve. This collaboration fosters inclusivity, making sure our future interactions are enjoyable for people from all backgrounds.
Our goal is to help everyone live better for longer. The Voice community makes this possible, and we couldn’t do it without them.’
Pfizer: Real-world Evidence
Challenge
Pfizer, a leading global pharmaceutical company, recognised a critical gap in the integration of public and patient involvement and engagement (PPIE) in their real-world data (RWD) studies. While PPIE had been widely adopted in clinical trials, its role in RWD was less established. This presented a challenge: how to effectively and routinely incorporate patient voices into RWD to fill knowledge gaps about medication use in real-world settings. To address this, Pfizer partnered with NICA + Voice to explore innovative ways to embed meaningful PPIE into their RWD processes.
“We need patients and carers, to help us make sure that our research is important, accessible and understandable, we can’t do this on our own. We need to work with them across the journey of designing and delivering that research […] Partnering together, we can do better science.”
Dr Sally Dews | Pfizer Director Patient Advocacy and External Partnerships
Innovation Case Study
Action
To tackle this challenge, NICA + Voice recruited a diverse group of twelve Voice members with varying backgrounds, experiences, and levels of familiarity with PPIE. The recruitment process began with an initial survey designed to ensure representation across different ethnicities, genders, ages, and levels of experience with research and caregiving.
Following the survey, selected participants engaged in one-on-one informal chats to discuss their lived experiences of having a condition or caring for somebody with a condition, experience of research involvement, and their understanding of RWD. These conversations aimed to capture the unique insights, frustrations, and needs of each participant.
The initiative then moved into a collaborative phase, with the Voice members participating in eight online focus group sessions and a hybrid co-creation workshop. These sessions were designed to gather comprehensive feedback and ideas from the participants, fostering a co-design process for developing a framework that could be applied to PPIE in RWD studies.
Two papers were written to accompany this project and are currently looking to be published within journals to ensure maximum reach to help socialise the findings of this study. Members of the Voice panel supported in the co-authorship of the papers to offer broad perspectives and to ensure the paper was relevant and accessible to different audiences.
Impact
The collaboration between Pfizer and NICA + Voice led to the co-creation of an innovative framework for conducting meaningful PPIE in RWD studies. This framework is now being tested in Pfizer’s upcoming RWD studies, with the ultimate goal of rolling it out globally.
By embedding patient and public involvement into their research processes, Pfizer is setting a new standard for the industry, ensuring that real-world evidence is enriched by the lived experiences of patients. This pioneering approach not only enhances the relevance and impact of RWD studies but also empowers patients to contribute to research that directly affects their lives, paving the way for more inclusive and effective healthcare solutions and better patient-focused outcome measures.
“It was fun and enjoyable to collaborate with different people for a common goal. Being able to contribute from the first to the last session has made me feel that I genuinely made an impact with my opinions […] and also shown me just how possible and feasible collaboration with companies such as Pfizer actually is”
Voice member
Innovation Case Study
SymPhysis: Improving the treatment experience for people with late-stage cancers
Find out more about the project here
“As a result of working with Voice, the feedback we got both validated our design direction in terms of was it going to be as user friendly for our end patient population as we needed it to be? But also, feedback we got has resulted in us improving on the design as well”
Tim Jones | SymPhysis Co-Founder & CEO
Challenge
SymPhysis, a pioneering company in medical device innovation, aims to transform the experience of palliative care for individuals with late-stage cancers. Their flagship product, RelEaze, is a minimally invasive, home-use drainage device designed to manage malignant pleural effusion (MPE) — a condition caused by fluid accumulation in the chest due to cancer, leading to severe discomfort, pain, and shortness of breath.
RelEaze offers patients greater comfort and independence by enabling at-home management of their symptoms. However, to bring this groundbreaking device to the U.S. market, SymPhysis faced a significant challenge: obtaining FDA (U.S Food and Drug Administration) approval. This step was crucial to ensuring RelEaze could reach patients worldwide, necessitating robust testing to meet stringent regulatory standards.
Action
NICA + Voice played a vital role in supporting SymPhysis through this critical phase. Two comprehensive user evaluation studies were conducted in NICA’s advanced Insights Suite, designed to replicate a home environment. Voice members participated in these evaluations, starting with unboxing RelEaze and reviewing its instructional materials. Participants simulated the device’s fitting in a safe manner and assessed its usability through daily activities, such as kitchen tasks and safe disposal of medical waste. The process included staged activities, interviews, and focus groups, providing detailed feedback on the device’s design, functionality, and instructional clarity. This input was compiled into actionable insights, enabling SymPhysis to refine RelEaze for both usability and regulatory compliance.
Impact
Securing FDA approval for RelEaze will mark a significant milestone in palliative care. The device empowers patients by allowing them to manage their condition independently at home, bypassing the need for frequent visits to healthcare facilities. This not only enhances patient mobility and autonomy but also reduces the burden and costs on healthcare systems. By enabling self-care, RelEaze aims to improve the quality of life for palliative care patients, offering them greater dignity and comfort in managing their symptoms.
By placing the end-user at the centre of the design and testing process, SymPhysis not only enhanced the product but also made significant strides toward achieving regulatory approval, setting the stage for a transformative impact on patient care.
The Internet of Caring Things® (IoCT™) programme
The National Innovation Centre for Ageing is currently leading a programme, funded by the North of Tyne Combined Authority, called ‘The Internet of Caring Things’ (IoCT) which is supporting local businesses and innovators to develop new connected products and services to support longevity. The IoCT team work with Voice members across the programme in a variety of ways:
IoCT™ Advisory Panel
The IoCT Advisory Panel was established early in the IoCT programme as a means to access citizen insights, experiences and feedback for product ideas and prototypes quickly and easily. It comprises of ten Voice members (mixed age, gender and ethnicity) who attend a two hour session each month. At the session up to two businesses attend where they are each allocated 20 minutes to pitch their business idea or demonstrate their prototype product and respond to questions from the panel. This is followed by a 45 minute facilitated workshop style discussion – without the business in attendance to encourage candid and honest feedback from the panel members).
The insights generated from the workshop are then included in the formulation of a Diagnostic Lab Report for the businesses. The comprehensive Diagnostic Lab Report includes Voice member insights, market research, funding streams and recommendations for further development.
IoCT™ Projects
Voice member contributions are invaluable to the IoCT programme. The IoCT team often draw on the experience, skills and knowledge of Voice members in co-designing projects and engagement activities. The honest and constructive insights and ideas add a further dimension to the programme: that of a ‘critical friend’ which helps to focus attention on aspects of the programme that could be improved or done differently.
IoCT aims to include citizen insights in all aspects of the programme, largely through the involvement of the Voice community. These valuable contributions often include Voice member participation in the early design and development phases of a project, or as a participant in a pilot version of a project, using their insights and experience to further refine the project before full launch.
IoCT™ Programme
Internet of Caring Things® community initiatives
Being Well Place
Nestled in the historic Grainger Market, the Being Well Place stands as a unique community hub, designed to inspire healthier living and generate meaningful connections. Spearheaded by the NICA and Newcastle University’s School of Pharmacy, the space blends cutting-edge innovation with community care, offering a range of health resources and activities aimed at improving wellbeing.
At its core, the Being Well Place bridges the gaps between innovation and daily life. It provides access to groundbreaking tools like the Community Toolbox, where individuals can trial smart sensing technologies, as well as hosting programmes such as the ‘Young@Heart clinic’, offering cardiovascular screenings to promote proactive health management. The space is intentionally welcoming, inviting people from all walks of life to engage with new technologies, explore wellbeing initiatives, and participate in workshops that encourage self-care.
Voice members played a crucial role in shaping the Being Well Place by sharing their experiences and insights during discovery workshops. Their feedback influenced the design, ensuring that the space meets
community needs and remains adaptable for a wide range of uses.
Launched in October 2024, the Being Well Place is fast becoming a cornerstone of the Newcastle community, hosting events and creating opportunities for collaboration among individuals, organisations, and innovators. It embodies a vision for a healthier and more connected future, where innovation and community go hand in hand.
“We are thrilled to introduce Being Well Place to the Newcastle community, right here in the heart of Grainger Market. This space will foster conversations around staying well, promote healthy living practices, and introduce visitors to the latest in healthsupporting technology.”
Dr Jennie Jonczyk | NICA IoCT™ Programme Manager
Find out more about the project here
Community Toolbox
The Community Toolbox is a new initiative providing individuals and communities in the North East with free access to smart sensing technologies to explore personal, environmental, and pet-related data. Developed by the Internet of Caring Things programme, the Toolbox aims to enhance health, well-being, and longevity through technology.
Voice members can borrow tools like traffic sensors or air quality monitors and collect valuable insights during their loan period. These technologies help break down barriers to understanding personal data, encouraging meaningful interactions and empowering healthier, longer lives. The Community Toolbox provides step-by-step support for borrowing, using, and returning devices, ensuring an accessible and engaging experience.
Voice members played a key role in piloting the Community Toolbox initiative. Through interactive workshops, members engaged with various devices providing real-time feedback based on their experiences. These sessions helped to refine the processes and functionality of the Toolbox, ensuring it is user-friendly and accessible. The insights shared by Voice members offered invaluable perspectives that enable the initiative to better serve its purpose of democratising technology.
Keep an eye out for opportunities on the Voice platform to get involved with the Community Toolbox!
Sensmart: Collaborative approach to nutritive design
Challenge
Sensmart, founded in Newcastle in 2021 by Aisha Purvis, set out to address a pressing issue which costs the NHS £23.5 million annually: malnutrition and dehydration in care and clinical settings. Drawing on her personal and professional experiences, Aisha created Numenyu, an innovative sensory menu designed to empower patients with sensory and cognitive impairments to make independent food choices. However, turning this vision into a reality came with significant challenges, including refining how scents could be delivered, reducing manufacturing costs, and ensuring accessibility for users with fine motor difficulties. With support from NICA + Voice, Aisha sought to overcome these obstacles.
“Working with the IoCT programme and Voice community has been absolutely fantastic… They guided me, connected me to networks, and provided vital resources for diagnostics and feedback, shaping my clarity, strategy, and focus.”
Aisha Purvis | Sensmart. CEO and Founder
IoCT™ Case Study
Action
Sensmart partnered with IoCT and their Voice Advisory Panel to refine Numenyu. Aisha delivered a presentation to the panel, showcasing Numenyu and its potential. This was followed by a facilitated workshop where panel members discussed their experiences and provided candid, constructive feedback. The session’s findings were included in a comprehensive Diagnostic Lab Report, offering actionable recommendations for improving the product’s accessibility and usability, alongside insights into market positioning and user needs. This collaborative process ensured that Numenyu aligned closely with the needs of its target users.
Impact
The Diagnostic Lab Report proved instrumental in refining Numenyu and shaping Sensmart’s business strategy. Voice member feedback led directly to the redesign of the menu’s scent pots, improving accessibility for individuals with fine motor challenges. The insights provided a unique perspective, helping Aisha enhance the product’s usability and market readiness. With these improvements, Numenyu is wellpositioned to make a meaningful impact in care and clinical settings, empowering individuals with sensory and cognitive impairments to make independent and informed food choices. The team have also obtainined IP on this novel innovation and been successful in patenting Numenyu®.
Research
Voice® members are at the heart of advancing research that creates real-world impact. Throughout 2024, Voice® has facilitated an extraordinary 128 research opportunities across ten institutions, empowering 1,200 members to share their lived experiences.
Number of Voice members involved in research projects
Number of research centres 113
Number of research projects
The 128 Voice opportunities - ranging from workshops and surveys to public representation roles - are vital to shaping projects that address pressing societal challenges. By collaborating with diverse Voice members, researchers gain invaluable insights, ensuring their work is grounded in authenticity and relevance. Voice enhances the quality and credibility of research by enabling researchers to involve patients and the public in key stages such as design, implementation, and dissemination. Involvement with Voice makes research more acceptable and accessible to the public, improves informed consent processes, and ensures findings are better communicated to wider audiences.
This section highlights four exciting case studies from institutions including Newcastle University, Bournemouth University, and Imperial College London. These stories showcase the remarkable breadth of Voice members’ contributions. From shaping healthcare studies that enhance care for older people and those with advanced liver disease, to exploring energy-efficient technologies and improving patient safety in virtual consultations, Voice members are transforming research.
Each case study underscores how the lived experiences of Voice members bring depth, clarity, and innovation to research, helping to identify unmet needs and deliver actionable outcomes. By facilitating meaningful partnerships between the public and researchers, Voice ensures that every step of
the research process is informed by those it seeks to serve. Through these collaborations directly with cutting-edge researchers, Voice members are not just advancing knowledge but also creating lasting impact for communities and individuals alike.
“Involving the public in research design, implementation, and dissemination, so researchers are addressing the real needs and concerns of communities is something I feel passionately about.”
Lauren Chaffey | Voice® Coordinator
Voice® Coordinator insights
It is always a pleasure to see researchers discover Voice and realise the power of involving the public in research. Voice members are often a researcher’s first introduction into the world of public involvement. It’s great to see the support and guidance Voice members give to them to create a positive outcome for all, where the research meets the needs of real people. As the Voice Coordinator, I really thrive in helping researchers and Voice members come together to carry out research. It is so encouraging to see those who are experts academically and those who are experts through experience come together to better the future, especially when there can be a lot of negativities about the future of the world these days.
I also love speaking and interacting with Voice members both old and new, and hearing about their journeys of becoming Voice members. It’s very powerful to hear that often Voice members didn’t have any idea about patient and public involvement in research, or that it existed, until joining Voice. Fast forward and the variety of different projects they have been involved in is astounding. For anyone who thinks they’re ‘not smart enough’ to be involved in research, that’s absolutely not the case. We all have something to contribute and as our Voice members will attest to, it’s all about taking that leap as you never know where you might land!
Research Case Study
Bournemouth University: Experiences of care in advanced liver disease
Researcher Bio
Cathy Beresford is a PhD candidate at Bournemouth University and a registered nurse with a broad range of clinical experience. Her qualitative research with individuals affected by decompensated advanced liver disease explores their experiences of care, with a particular focus on empowerment and supported selfcare. Cathy is passionate about public involvement in research, committed to advancing inclusive research practices and dedicated to person-centred health and social care.
Project Outline
This research focuses on understanding what it’s like to give and receive care for people with advanced liver disease. It aims to develop a better understanding of these experiences by listening to three key groups: individuals living with advanced liver disease, their carers (like family members), and the healthcare professionals who care for them. A key part of this project is involving members of the public throughout the process. A group of people with lived experience is helping to guide the study, from designing the research to contributing to academic papers. This ensures the research reflects real-life experiences. The goal is to identify ways to improve care for people with advanced liver disease and their carers. Early work, including a published review, has already provided useful insights and laid the foundation for meaningful change in
“I
can honestly say that Voice members have been invaluable - not only for their insights but for challenging my assumptions and reminding me to keep the participants’ lived experiences at the heart of this work.”
Cathy Beresford Researcher
Impact
One of the most significant contributions from Voice members came early on when they helped refine the study’s focus. Initially, the project aimed to explore palliative and end-of-life care experiences in liver disease. However, Voice members shared that people with liver disease, as well as their carers, often don’t recognise when their care transitions to palliative or end-of-life. This insight revealed that the original focus did not fully reflect their lived experiences, as even healthcare professionals often blur these distinctions. Cathy explained, “The group’s perspectives helped me understand that I was looking at this from a medical standpoint, rather than from the viewpoint of those living with the condition. Voice members helped me see that the focus should be on advanced liver disease care experiences as a whole.”
Beyond shaping the study’s focus, Voice members were involved in deciding who to include in the study, planning interview questions, reviewing participant information materials, and assisting with recruitment. They also played a key role in data analysis, helping to ensure the findings accurately reflect participants’ experiences. Cathy emphasised their importance, saying, “Voice members have been invaluable—not only for their insights but for challenging my assumptions and keeping participants’ lived experiences at the heart of this work.”
A major highlight was Voice members cowriting a paper in Health Expectations with Cathy, showcasing how patient involvement
was integral to the research. By co-writing the paper, Voice members have ensured that the language, themes, and conclusions resonate with the real experiences of those affected by advanced liver disease, providing a clarity and relatability that might otherwise have been missed. Their contributions have not only validated the importance of public involvement in health research but have also set a standard for collaboration, showing that meaningful engagement with patients can enrich academic work in a way that speaks directly to both the research community and the public.
“I found it very beneficial being involved in the research about liver disease. I appreciated learning about other people’s experience, realising other people suffered similar problems. The meetings were good and well structured so I felt comfortable sharing my experiences.”
Voice member
Research Case Study
Newcastle University: The SENIOR RITA study: Invasive treatment in older patients with myocardial infarction
Researcher Bio
Professor Vijay Kunadian is a globally recognised expert in interventional cardiology and a professor at Newcastle University. She is also an Honorary Academic Consultant interventional cardiologist at Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne. With over 220 peer-reviewed publications in leading journals, Professor Kunadian leads groundbreaking cardiovascular research and clinical trials. A trailblazer in her field, she is the only female interventional cardiologist in the UK holding a university personal chair and has received numerous awards, including the ‘Inspirational Woman’ recognition from Newcastle University in 2023. She also holds leadership roles within UK and European cardiovascular research organisations.
Project Outline
The SENIOR RITA study, led by Professor Kunadian, aimed to address the lack of evidence-based guidance for treating older adults with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), a type of heart attack. This group is often underrepresented in clinical trials, leaving a significant gap in understanding how best to manage their care. Conducted across 48 sites in the UK, the study involved 1,518 participants aged 75 and over, comparing two treatment strategies: medical therapy alone and medical therapy combined with invasive treatment such as coronary angiography. While invasive treatment did not significantly reduce death rates or recurrent heart attacks, it provided a modest increase in cardiovascular-event-free days. The findings underscore the importance of tailoring treatments to individual patient needs, balancing clinical benefits with the unique needs of older populations.
Impact
Voice members played a key role in shaping the study’s communication and operational success. They developed accessible lay summaries to enhance understanding among patients and their families, which improved recruitment and retention. Their involvement in steering committee meetings brought fresh perspectives on addressing participant withdrawals and ensuring the study remained patient centred.
Despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Voice members provided unwavering support to the research team, encouraging them to persevere during difficult times. Professor Kunadian noted how their insights and engagement helped ensure the study’s completion and the dissemination of its findings. By collaborating closely with Voice members, the study not only addressed critical research gaps but also set a precedent for integrating patient voices into complex clinical trials.
“ I found the process to be a fascinating insight into what a trial involves, the hurdles of ethics committees and the protocols involved. All-in-all, it was it was an experience that I wouldn’t have missed for the world and if the chance comes your way, grasp it with both hands.”
Voice Member
Research Case Study
Newcastle University: Energy Efficiency and New Technology
Researcher Bio
Dr Jo Swaffield is a Research Associate at Newcastle University Business School specialising in the sustainable use of energy and water in domestic settings. Her current projects focus on the adoption of energy-efficient technologies and trialling interventions to reduce household water consumption. With research interests in individual behaviour change and societal adaptation to climate change, Dr Swaffield’s work contributes to understanding how people can adopt more sustainable practices in response to environmental challenges.
Project Outline
Working in collaboration with National Energy Action (NEA) and Northern Gas Networks (NGN), researchers at Newcastle University Business School have been using an innovative setting to conduct exciting new research on energy efficient technologies in the home. Futures Close is a purpose-built test-site of nine properties in Winlaton, Gateshead, commissioned and owned by Northern Gas Networks. There are five types of property, each built to original building standards and employing materials commonly used at that time, to fully reflect the building fabric and challenges that exist with buildings of each era. The property styles have been designed to be representative of UK houses from 1910 through to modern day.
The research team have commissioned the installation of seven energy efficient technologies in different house styles across the site. These include, for example, heatretaining window coating, infrared panels
and air bricks that can open and shut automatically. The technologies are being tested by the technical team to assess their effectiveness and value for money in the different properties. Meanwhile, the social research team have welcomed members of the public to site and invited them to experience the technologies in real-life and share their thoughts. These insights, coming from a range of different people in various circumstances, are being used to explore the acceptability and challenges of introducing new energy efficient technologies into the home.
Impact
“I was lucky enough to spend a morning at the Futures Close site [...] It was good to hear and see how this technology would fit into current housing stock and could be incorporated into future house building. The whole experience showed cutting edge technology in action.”
Voice Member
Voice® members played an integral role in this project by participating in workshops, site tours, and focus group discussions. During these sessions, they shared their perspectives on the usability and potential challenges of integrating energy-efficient technologies into homes. Their feedback, drawing on their lived experience, provided valuable insights into real-world barriers such as cost, ease of installation, and maintenance. Dr Swaffield describes how Voice members have impacted the project, “These individuals provided invaluable insights into potential responses to the seven technologies on site and energy efficient technologies more generally. Understanding the barriers or challenges that different customers may face will help us to develop potential solutions to overcome these”. Voice member contributions have also shaped the project’s next steps, which involve largescale surveys and interviews to capture broader public attitudes. Their input is not only driving the development of practical solutions but also championing greater public engagement with sustainability initiatives.
Research Case Study
Imperial College London: Patient Safety indicators in virtual consultations
Researcher Bio
Dr Tetiana Lunova is a postdoctoral research associate at Imperial College London, working within the North-West London Patient Safety Research Collaboration. Her research centres on integrating patient safety into the design of new healthcare service delivery models. A physician with experience in clinical care, medical research and public health, Dr Lunova also holds an MSc in Global Public Health and Policy and a PhD in Medicine. Her multidisciplinary expertise supports her work in evaluating and enhancing healthcare systems to ensure safer and more effective patient outcomes.
Project Outline
Dr Lunova’s research at Imperial College London focuses on improving patient safety in virtual healthcare consultations, a rapidly growing area of healthcare delivery. The qualitative study investigates the perspectives of patients, carers, and primary care professionals on the safety of virtual consultations, aiming to co-develop a set of safety indicators tailored to this setting. Voice members participated in focus groups, sharing their experiences with virtual consultations, from privacy concerns to the effectiveness of communication. The study explores critical questions, such as how to protect sensitive patient information and how to ensure consultations remain effective and accessible. By addressing these issues, the research aims to provide practical recommendations that enhance patient safety and build trust in virtual care models.
Impact
Voice members have been instrumental in highlighting key safety challenges encountered during virtual consultations. Their feedback emphasised the need for robust privacy safeguards, sharing real life examples where audio and video call security was a concern. This input has shaped the development of a safety framework that includes practical measures for improving privacy, communication, and patient support in virtual care settings. Dr Lunova noted that the insights provided by Voice members were essential to ensuring the research remained patient-centred and relevant to real world needs. Their contributions have not only influenced the study’s outcomes but also underscored the value of involving diverse perspectives in healthcare innovation. The research team is now analysing data and preparing to share findings that will inform safer, more effective virtual healthcare delivery.
“It was really useful to examine the impact of virtual consultations. […] Covid-19 created many new normals [...] the research, to ensure virtual communication is safe, secure and suitable is timely.”
Voice Member
This Curious Life
‘This Curious Life’ is the official online magazine from the National Innovation Centre for Ageing and Voice®, where curiosity meets inspiration.
60000
Number of of interactions within the website
20000
12
Number of Voice member stories
Number of views
‘This Curious Life’ is a space where curiosity drives exploration, innovation, and the celebration of life at every age. Through This Curious Life, we reject stereotypes about ageing and instead view it as an extraordinary opportunity — a time to grow, connect, and thrive.
Our magazine shines a light on real stories of people redefining what it means to age. From pioneering researchers and businesses shaping the future of healthy longevity to individuals embracing new adventures and rekindling passions- — This Curious Life is a hub of inspiration. We dig into the technologies, services, and innovations that are transforming lives while exploring the dreams and challenges of diverse communities across the globe.
Ageing isn’t just about numbers; it’s about asking what kind of future we want to create. With every story, This Curious Life invites you to embrace life with curiosity and joy, proving that every stage of life is filled with exciting possibilities. Join us as we reframe the conversation around ageing — together, we’ll discover what it truly means to live fully.
In this section, we spotlight three Voice members whose stories, shared through This Curious Life, illustrate the impact that Voice has had on their lives. These narratives showcase how being part of Voice has opened doors, created opportunities and empowered members to contribute to meaningful change in their communities.
Clive’s Story
Voice member Clive, 71, from Gateshead, UK, spoke about his experience of joining and being a part of Voice in an interview with our Digital Communications Specialist, Robyn Challans, earlier this year. Through Voice Clive has found a way to stay active, carry on learning and find community with a lasting impact:
“For Clive, Voice is more than just a way to stay active; it became a platform for learning and growth. He values the inclusive nature of the Voice community, noting that Voice makes everything available to everyone, allowing members to explore new interests and expand their horizons. While working on the Gita project, testing how robots can support people of all generations, Clive’s world took an unexpected turn. ‘I suddenly got a message from someone saying, “Hey, did you see? You’re in The Times today!” I was completely baffled,’ he says, still sounding a bit amazed. ‘I had never been featured in The Times before, so naturally, I had to check it out. I found the article online, shared it on my social media, and suddenly, people I knew were sharing it too. I even reconnected with people I hadn’t spoken to for months.’
This sense of connection, both within the Voice community and beyond, is something Clive treasures.
“There is a sense of community among Voice members”
Over the years, he has made friends and built relationships through the various projects and events he has participated in. Clive also values the opportunities to contribute to something larger than himself. ‘One of the things about Voice is that it has given me an opportunity in my head to contribute to different things,’ he reflects. This sense of purpose, he believes, is crucial for living a fulfilling life, especially as one gets older.”
Read the full interview here
“I’ve spoken at medical conferences, both online and in person, and even been invited to the Houses of Parliament. It was surreal but amazing. These opportunities have given me a sense of purpose and connection again.”
Sarah | Voice® Member
Voice member Sarah, 45, from Plymouth, UK, spoke about finding connection, fulfilment and purpose. See the impact Voice has had on Sarah’s life through this short extract:
“The impact of this involvement has been profound for Sarah. ‘Volunteering with Voice has become my passion and new focus since I’m unable to work and spend a lot of time managing my health,’ she shares. ‘Research and speaking to PhD students and other researchers with Voice have given me a real lift. It helps people understand what it’s like to live with chronic conditions and makes me feel I’m giving something back.’
For Sarah, having a purpose is integral to a fulfilling life. ‘Since giving up work due to my physical health problems, I felt lost, even suicidal in the early days. Getting involved in research projects from Voice made me feel good for the first time in months. It gives me a lift to do something useful and share my experiences to improve people’s lives.’ Voice has also opened doors Sarah never imagined. ‘I’ve spoken at medical conferences, both online and in person, and even been invited to the Houses of Parliament. It was surreal but amazing. These opportunities have given me a sense of purpose and connection again.” Read the full interview here
This Curious Life
Sarah’s Story
Anne’s Story
Voice member Anne, 63, UK, described her experience of being a part of Voice and finding purpose through contributing to society and finding community:
Anne emphasises the value she finds in her involvement with Voice:
“Mainly for me, I like being me. I like feeling that I’m making a contribution to wider society and that maybe in the future my grandchildren won’t have to face certain challenges because of the work we’re doing. It’s a concentrated effort, not just the odd thing here and there.”
Her involvement in the Voice community has not only provided a sense of purpose but also allowed her to connect with a diverse group of people. ‘Meeting people and having good
little chats’ has been a rewarding aspect of her participation. Anne appreciates the opportunity to engage with researchers and students, contributing to projects that align with her interests and values. Anne’s experience underpins a vital message: finding purpose and connection can significantly enhance all our sense of fulfilment and well-being. Her journey from feeling lost to making a meaningful contribution through the Voice community is a testament to the transformative power of engagement and the importance of continued personal growth.
‘I like being me. I like feeling that I’m making a contribution to wider society,’ she concludes. Through her involvement, Anne has discovered a renewed sense of purpose, proving that it’s never too late to find meaningful ways to contribute and connect.”
Read the full interview here
This Curious Life
“There’s a community, and you get to meet lots of different people and do different things. At the heart of it, you’re making a contribution, and that is definitely the main thing for me.”
Anne | Voice® Member
International Updates
There will soon be 2.1 billion people in the world over 60 and in 2022, for the first time in human history, there were more older people than younger people on the planet.
Ageing is affecting all regions, all countries and it is important for NICA + Voice to collaborate with other countries to better understand different cultural perspectives and to share ideas and learn from each other. We have established international Chapters in Italy, Australia, Canada and Taiwan, with future Chapters in development including Singapore, USA, Germany and Spain. Connected by our digital platform, we look forward to driving international collaborations and conversations on what is needed and possible for healthy ageing and longevity.
Voice® Italia
Voice Italia is a social enterprise and not-for-profit company established in 2023 as a collaboration between Fondazione Ravasi Garzanti and NICA with the support of Fondazione Cariplo and Fondazione Amplifon.
Officially launched in 2024, Voice Italia’s goal is to recognise and respect the wisdom and knowledge that is within older people and in people of all ages: specialising in deep engagement with people to uncover rich insights and stories. Voice Italia is building a community of ‘innovation active citizens’ with a strong mission: to influence the future exploring innovations with social impact on healthy longevity.
Beatrice Ferrarini | Voice Italia
“It’s a relevant and a fresh opportunity for our country to ground a longevity culture thanks to an innovative and inclusive approach!”
2024 has been an important year; the Voice Italia team was established in January and then in May they launched Voice Italia through a formal launch event. Since then, there have been many achievements including:
• A collaboration with AC75: an incubator of start-ups focused on silver economy topics
• A partnership with Mercato Comunale Wagner Milano, an indoor food marketplace, providing Voice Italia with a space to listen to citizens’ voices on topics related to longevity and spreading relevant information during cross generation conversations. This partnership was inspired by the ‘Being Well Place’ in Newcastle’s Grainger Market, which was led by NICA + Voice and the Internet of Caring Things (IoCT) programme!
• A collaboration with Italian businesses involving customised research to spread longevity topics, reinforcing the brands and their products or services
• Delivery of ‘Influencing the future’ workshops: a series of workshops to engage people of different generations to gather insights about what it means to live a longer and healthier life
In 2025 Voice Italia will develop new projects, expand collaborations with the markets and build on the engagement with the Voice Italia community. Ad maiora!
“Influencing the future for me means having the opportunity to speak my mind and making sure that my voice is heard.
Voice
Italia’s initiatives, like the workshop we are participating in, allow me to do just that.”
Voice Italia Member
“Voice Canada is a powerful tool for bringing community members together to contribute their knowledge and experiences to our big questions in aging research, with their input shaping our processes and solutions. We look forward to expanding the reach of Voice Canada across the country in 2025.”
Dr. Parminder Raina | Scientific Director McMaster Institute for Research on Aging
Voice® Canada
The McMaster Institute for Research on Aging (MIRA) is an interdisciplinary, user-centred research centre with over 200 researchers, based out of McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario Canada. MIRA works to optimise the health and longevity of Canada’s ageing population through leadingedge research, education and stakeholder collaboration. The institute facilitates and amplifies ageing research across every faculty at McMaster University and acts as a robust entry point to many of McMaster’s established platforms in ageing. Voice Canada is led by the MIRA team.
MIRA prioritises user-centered solutions and aims to integrate older adults and community partners into all stages of its research, creating a vibrant community network. Voice helps MIRA and its researchers to connect with the community and have valuable conversations informed by their wisdom and experience.
Since its launch in 2023, Voice Canada has gained over 150 Voice members and 90 researchers who have engaged the community with over 130 articles, 25 opportunities and 5 groups. These opportunities have empowered Voice Canada members to contribute to shaping primary health research, participate in studies on brain health and exercise, and sign up for events and webinars.
Following its public launch in spring 2023, MIRA has promoted the Voice Canada community through a number of in-person events both at the university and across the Hamilton area. These events focused heavily on the value that user engagement can bring to projects and on promoting a culture of community engagement in research.
Through Voice, MIRA disseminates research findings and news on the latest innovations in ageing from resources such as the McMaster Optimal Aging Portal, amplifying the work of MIRA researchers while also creating a space where people can both easily participate in research and access trustworthy, evidencebased information on the latest innovations in ageing research. Through these efforts, Voice Canada is enriching the landscape of ageingrelated knowledge exchange and forging a deeper connection between older adults and the entire research process.
In 2025, MIRA will begin expanding Voice Canada to university partners that share a passion for tackling the big questions in ageing research. Through these partnerships, MIRA looks forward to growing the Voice network across Canada in the coming year.
Voice® Taiwan
Taiwan is home to a rich tapestry of cultures, traditions, and perspectives. It is a place where people embrace lifelong learning, communities value lived experiences, and have a deep desire to contribute to society. Voice Taiwan is committed to providing a platform where individuals can connect, share ideas and expertise, and actively participate in shaping a better future for all.
In 2024 we were honoured that Mr Stan Shih, founder of Acer computers, agreed to be a global ambassador for NICA + Voice. He has helped establish our partner organisation the Taiwan Innovation Centre for Ageing (TICA) and Voice Taiwan, led by Lynn Li, Annie Yi and a wonderful team in Taipei.
Stay tuned for updates on the official launch of Voice Taiwan in 2025, and get ready to see what this inspiring community, along with our other global Voice Chapters, can achieve. Let’s work together to create lasting impact and shape a better world for generations to come!
Lynn Li MBE CEO Taiwan Innovation Centre for Ageing (TICA) + Voice Taiwan
marks a new chapter in fostering innovation and international collboration in healthy ageing.”
“Voice Taiwan was established as a result of a collaborative initiative that began in 2017, when UKRI and the British Office in Taiwan invited NICA to visit. This marks a new chapter in fostering innovation and international collaboration in healthy ageing.”
Lynn Li MBE CEO Taiwan Innovation Centre for Ageing (TICA) + Voice Taiwan
“Taiwan will enter a super-aged society in 2025. As a leading market in both technology and life sciences, it will be a strong partner to work with NICA to provide diversified solutions to tackle global ageing challenges and embrace opportunities”
Lynn Li MBE Voice® Taiwan
“Having this platform available to our researchers will improve the standards, results and impact of our research, and ensure that we accurately capture the wants and needs of the people we aim to serve as the NCHA.”
Madison O’Connor | Voice Australia - Senior Project Officer
Voice® Australia
Voice Australia is supported and hosted by the National Centre for Healthy Ageing (NCHA), a dynamic partnership between Monash University and Peninsula Health. Founded in 2020 and based on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, the NCHA has established significant research capability and activity to address key challenges in healthy ageing. The NCHA leads 25+ major research programs and is supported by a suite of innovative enabling platforms and networks, including Voice Australia.
Since April 2024, the NCHA has collaborated with a large number of local and national consumer networks to grow the Voice Australia member base, designing and delivering a community outreach speaker series with researchers across different key areas of healthy ageing.
Working together with local seniors’ groups, the NCHA held events to enable those in the community who were interested in Voice Australia to register as members on the spot.
A highlight of this series was the NCHA community morning tea in celebration of the Victorian Seniors Festival, where the Director of the NCHA, Professor Velandai Srikanth, highlighted the unique research environment of the Mornington Peninsula region and encouraged local community members to engage with the NCHA through Voice® Australia.
Moving into 2025, the NCHA is looking forward to expanding the Voice Australia community and leveraging the collective insights from members to shape research and deliver solutions relating to ageing for all Australians.
Madison O’Connor | Voice Australia
“In Australia, we recognise a unique opportunity to harness the collective lived experience of individuals from all walks of life. We’re so excited to have Voice® Australia, where communities, professionals, and advocates can come together to contribute their unique insights and drive positive change in the landscape of healthy living.”
A look to the future…
As we reflect on the incredible achievements of 2024, the driving force behind everything we do is our Voice® community.
Your insights, commitment, dedication, experience and enthusiasm have brought us to this exciting point in our journey together, and we want to say a huge thank you and how much we value and appreciate your involvement. From shaping groundbreaking projects to inspiring the global growth of our community, your contributions are at the heart of our mission.
In 2025, we are thrilled to continue building on this foundation. With the addition of three new team members—Lauren, Kiri, and Alys—alongside Lynne and Alex and the wider NICA + Voice team, we are energised and ready to expand the community, forge new partnerships and collaborations with researchers and businesses to co-develop meaningful solutions for healthy longevity. Your input and involvement will continue to guide and inspire us as we grow and evolve. Next year we are launching ‘Voice Explores…’ an exciting new engagement initiative designed to broaden member involvement and knowledge. Each Voice Explores will focus on a different theme, inviting members to share their lived experiences through surveys, polls, and events and learn more about specific topics. The insights gathered will not only grow our community but also help identify unmet needs and aspirations and shape impactful solutions.
Next year will also see the official launch of three new international Voice chapters: Voice Australia, Voice Taiwan, and Voice Singapore. These chapters will aim to replicate the incredible achievements of our UK members
and expand NICA + Voice’s global influence. A special thank you to all of our UK members, whose collective contributions have set the benchmark for what is possible. We are excited to bring the Voice model to new regions, creating a worldwide network of community-driven research and innovation. Our focus on innovation continues with projects like the Behaviour Buttons, a cuttingedge toolkit designed to capture daily habits in a privacy-friendly way with the press of a button. This and other initiatives will provide valuable novel insights that help shape healthier, more connected lives for everyone.
Finally, we’d like to take this opportunity to recognise and thank our Voice Member Advisory Group (VMAG), whose ideas, input, and unwavering support and commitment ensure that member perspectives shape many aspects of our operations and development. Huge thanks to Abdul, Cathy, Clement, Jeremy, Samina, Sead, Sharon, Suki and Sylvia for representing our members so brilliantly and helping us grow and flourish.
As we embark on this exciting new chapter, we are optimistic and grateful. To all of our members—thank you. Your voice is so valued and is what drives us forward, inspiring us to make a lasting impact. Together, we are creating a world where everyone can thrive at any age — one partnership, one innovation, and one incredible community at a time. We are very much greater than the sum of our parts. If
Meet the Team
Lynne Corner Director of Voice®/ COO of NICA
Professor Lynne Corner is Deputy Director/ COO of the UK National Innovation Centre for Ageing (NICA), the Director of Voice and co-founder of The Longevity Lab with Edelman. Lynne has wide experience working on all aspects of healthy ageing and brain capital. She has particular interest in consumer insights, trends, big data and behaviour change in the context of healthy longevity and is a Trustee of the Lewy Body Society.
Professor Nic Palmarini is the Director of UK’s National Innovation Centre for Ageing (NICA),the co-founder of the Edelman Longevity Lab, the CEO of Voice Italia, and affiliate to the Harvard Meta Lab. He holds more than a decade of experience in research on ageing and longevity. In his career, he has been Global Head of AI for Healthy Ageing for IBM Research and Ethics AI lead at MIT-IBM Watson AI Lab.
Nic Palmarini Director of NICA
Alex Mitchell Head of Voice® Operations and Strategic Partnerships
Alex leads on the operational management and the international development of Voice, growing the Voice infrastructure and establishing collaborations that facilitate citizen involvement in research and innovation on a national and global scale. Alex has worked in a variety of citizen engagement and co-design roles in the UK, creating and leading involvement initiatives and networks. With extensive experience in public engagement roles, Alex and the team ensure that Voice delivers an great member experience and achieves NICA + Voice®’s strategic goals.
Chaffey Voice® Coordinator
Lauren is responsible for supporting the coordination of Voice’s day-to-day activities, as well as the running of the Voice® digital platform. She supports Voice members to get involved in research and innovation and aids researchers on how to best involve members. With a background in community development and public involvement, Lauren ensures that community voices are central to research and innovation.
Lauren
Voice® Strategic Partnership Manager
Kiri is Voice’s Strategic Partnerships Manager and responsible for forging meaningful, cross-sector partnerships and driving impactful collaborations for Voice, that harnesses the immense lived experiences in our communities. Kiri manages the Voice Collaboration Network in the UK to bring you new opportunities from our university partners and the expansion of Voice to our new Chapters around the world.
Catherine Butcher
Community Manager (IoCT)
Catherine is the Community Manager for NICA’s North of Tyne Combined Authority Internet of Caring Things programme, working with Voice members within the North East. Catherine leads a diverse portfolio of projects, focusing on leveraging citizen insights and experience to shape innovative solutions, ensuring that lived experiences drive the next generation of products and services.
Alys Arnold
Voice® Community Manager
As Community Manager, Alys focuses on creating a strong and engaged national Voice community. Alys manages the growth, engagement, and experience of Voice’s members, driving the organisation’s mission to harness cross-generational insights to inform research and innovation. Her dedication helps build a vibrant community committed to shaping the future of healthy ageing.
Brian Pankiw
Commercial Finance Manager
Brian Pankiw is the Commercial Finance Manager at NICA + Voice, responsible for overseeing financial operations with a focus on commercial strategy and performance. Brian brings extensive experience in finance leadership, having worked across various sectors to support growth and strategic projects. His role ensures that NICA + Voice’s innovative initiatives are financially sound and underpinned by efficient systems and processes.
Kiri Backhouse
Tom Nappey Head of Design
Tom Nappey is the Head of Design at NICA + Voice, with extensive experience in national and international design projects. His expertise in user experience design ensures that NICA’s research and insights are translated into impactful, real-world applications.
George Lee Head of Communications
George Lee is the Head of Communications and Engagement at NICA + Voice, driving the organisation’s efforts to innovate through cross-generational storytelling. George has been recognised globally for her work in challenging age stereotypes. She leads initiatives that amplify NICA + Voice’s impact, including being the Editor of This Curious Life, the official online magazine from NICA + Voice; exploring the evolving narratives around age and life transitions.
Richard
Airey Head of IT and Digital
Richard Airey is the IT & Digital Programme Manager at NICA + Voice, overseeing the development and maintenance of key digital systems. An experienced full-stack developer, Richard brings over 20 years of expertise in web application development and has led digital projects for renowned brands like John Lewis and Barclays. He is instrumental in driving the Voice platform.
Robyn Challans
Digital Communications Specialist
Robyn Challans is the Digital Communications Specialist for NICA + Voice, responsible for managing and enhancing Voice’s social media presence. Robyn brings over five years of experience in social media management, content creation, and influencer marketing. Her expertise in digital communications supports NICA + Voice’s mission to engage audiences creatively and effectively.