- Appendix A -Consent Form

Consent FormVisual Expressions of Connection: Seniors’ Creative Show and Tell

I hereby declare that I consent to participate to the Visual Expressions of Connection: Seniors’ Creative Show and Tell research project, under the supervision of Debra Pentecost, from Vancouver Island University’s Department of Media Studies (Telephone: work 250-753-3245 ext: 2105 or cell 604-505-3156, Debra.Pentecost@viu.ca).

Research Purpose This project is a community based participatory research-creation project between researchers, the collaborative project, Seniors Connect, and Nanaimo seniors. The goals and objectives of this project are developed in accordance with the mandate of Seniors Connect; that is contributing to public education around experiences of ageism and social isolation amongst Nanaimo seniors, in addition to enhancing seniors’ participation in creative expression with others.

ProceduresParticipants will take part in a Photovoice project, taking photographs that aim to express their life experiences of social inclusion and isolation as a senior, and in so doing giving visual representation to social elements impacting their lives, encompassing aspects of community, health and well-being.

Workshops and meetings will take place at the Nanaimo Seniors Connect Centre. In these workshops participants will review the skills needed to take effective photographs, in addition to reviewing ethical guidelines for photographing people.

Participants will take photographs over a four-week period, guided by “Photovoice Question” handouts coordinated with each week. Participants will select a small sample of their favourite photographs for the week and complete an “Individual Reflection” worksheet for each photograph. University researchers and project coordinators from Seniors Connect will lead subsequent “Photograph Sharing and Group Reflection” sessions with participants. At these sessions participants will first briefly meet with researchers in individual interviews whereupon participants will discuss the meanings and rationale behind their images for that week. These individual interviews will be audio-recorded or video-recorded, depending upon the participant’s consent, and researchers will take written notes. The “Photograph Sharing and

Group Reflection” sessions will be audio-recorded, in addition to still photographs being taken at some sessions.

RisksDescribing difficult experiences or emotions one might be struggling with can be upsetting and emotionally traumatic. We are intending that the research poses only a small risk of harm to participants.There is an increased risk to privacy associated with collecting the data in a group setting. While project personnel will make their best efforts to ensure information shared during group sessions remains confidential, we cannot guarantee that other participants of the group sessions will not disclose information.

Conditions of ParticipationYour participation is completely voluntary. You may choose not to photograph in response to a specific research question. You may also withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, and without explanation. If you choose to withdraw from the study, all information you provided during the project will be withdrawn from the study and destroyed.

Management of Interview Material and PhotographsIf you choose not to be directly identified in the products of this research then all records of your participation will be confidential and your name will be coded with a pseudonym. Only the university researchers and project coordinators with Seniors Connect will have access to information in which you are identified. With your permission, the interviews will be audio recorded and/or video recorded and later transcribed into writing. You will be provided a copy of the transcript and invited to make changes to the transcript as you wish (e.g. if you would like to withdraw a particular statement you made during an interview). Electronic data will be stored on a password-protected computer. Signed consent forms and paper copies of interview transcripts will be stored in a locked file cabinet at Vancouver Island University. Data will be deleted and shredded at the end of the project, approximately December 31st, 2018.

The photographs produced by participants and the audio and video recordings will become part of a photography exhibit held by Seniors Connect. The photographs may also be disseminated as part of a slideshow, shown at a gallery, shown in a classroom, or displayed on a website.

Consent and Conditions of ConsentI have read and understand the information provided above, and hereby consent to participate in this research under the following conditions:

I consent to the interview being audio recorded.

Yes

No I consent to the interview being video recorded.

Yes

No I consent to having my personal identity disclosed in the products of Yes

the research.

No I consent to being quoted in the products of the research.

Yes

No

I agree to share my work on the following educational and non-commercial websites: www.mediastudies.viu.ca and www.nanaimoseniorsconnect.ca

I agree to keep information shared in the group settings confidential.

Yes

Yes

No

Participant Name _____________________ Participant Signature ________________________

I, Debra Pentecost, promise to adhere to the procedures described in this consent form.

Principal Investigator Signature __________________________ Date _______________

If you have any concerns about your treatment as a research participant in this study, please contact the VIU Research Ethics Board by telephone at 250-740-6631 or by email at reb@viu.ca.

- Appendix B -Photovoice Activity Brief and Questions

Photo Activity Duration: 6 Weeks

Method: Each week, participants will photograph their responses to different research questions. A sample of potential questions is listed below.

Photovoice Research Questions

● What does community / communities mean to you? ● What is your community / are your communities?

In your day-to-day life...

● What does community inclusion look like?● What does health look like?● What does well-being look like?

In your day-to-day life...

● What does your experience of social isolation look like? ● What does your experience of poverty look like? ● What does your experience of aging look like?

In your day-to-day life...

● What or who have played important roles in providing you with joy?● What or who have played important roles in providing you with happiness?● What or who have played important roles in providing you with contentment?

Several of these questions are amended from the “Imagining Inclusion” Digital Storytelling Protocol, Imagining Inclusion: My Health, Wellbeing and Community research project.

Alonso, M., Berg, A., Landy, A., Marin, N.D., McDonell, M., & Reif, C. (2016). Digital Storytelling in Community Mental Health. A Protocol for Therapeutic Recreation Professionals, funded by the Vancouver Foundation. Vancouver, B.C.

- Appendix C -Photograph Sharing and Group Reflection Sessions

METHOD: Each week of the Photovoice activity, participants will meet at the Seniors Connect Centre to share and discuss photographs they have taken.

ACTIVITY:

INDIVIDUAL INTERVIEWS:Participants will initially be briefly interviewed by researchers on an individual basis, guided by the questions below.

● Why did you take this picture?● Is there an unseen story behind this photograph? Can you tell us about this story?● How do you see this picture relating to your life?● When you see your photograph now, what feelings does it bring up?● What would you say this photograph tells us about your life?

ACTIVITY:

GROUP DISCUSSION

● Participants’ photos will be shown, and in a group context some of the above questions will be asked of each participant.

● The group will be asked for feedback about the photographs, guided by questions outlined below.

○ What do you see in this photograph?○ How does this make you feel?○ What does this image convey about life in this person’s community?

DISCUSSIONDistribute “Photovoice Question” handout for next session.Address any questions participants have.

Activity amended from the “Imagining Inclusion” Digital Storytelling Protocol, Imagining Inclusion: My Health, Wellbeing and Community research project.

Alonso, M., Berg, A., Landy, A., Marin, N.D., McDonell, M., & Reif, C. (2016). Digital Storytelling in Community Mental Health. A Protocol for Therapeutic Recreation Professionals, funded by the Vancouver Foundation. Vancouver, B.C.

- Appendix D -Recruitment Material: Website Copy

Vancouver Island UniversityDepartment of Media Studies

SENIOR RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS NEEDEDAre you interested in taking part in a photography

project?

Researchers at Vancouver Island University’s Department of Media Studies are partnering with Seniors Connect and are recruiting senior participants from the Seniors Connect community to take part in a collaborative research project. The project, “Visual Expressions of Connection: A Seniors’ Creative Show and Tell,” will employ photovoice to explore issues around social isolation and integration in the elder community. We invite seniors, 55 years old and above, to let us know if you are interested.

Project Details

● Participants will take part in a 6-week long Photovoice activity, producing photographic works based on a series of questions about experiences of social isolation and integration.

● Prior to the Photovoice activity, participants will be asked to attend a basic camera skills and photography technique workshop delivered by student researchers, in addition to a workshop focussed on ethics and photography.

● Each week of the Photovoice activity, participants will meet at the Seniors Connect Centre to take part in photograph sharing and group reflection sessions. Participants will first be individually interviewed to discuss the meanings behind their photographs, and then join in a group photography sharing and reflection exercise with other participants.

● Participants will be reimbursed for their time and inconvenience with refreshments and food over the course of the project’s meetings and contact points.

● Seniors Connect will hold a Photography Exhibit featuring photographs from the research project in October 2018, Seniors month, to which participants are invited to help organize.

If interested, please contact Lynne Henshaw (bettertogethernanaimo@gmail.com 250-760-0301) or Penny McCourt (bettertogethernanaimo@gmail.com 250-756-2129).

- Appendix E -Recruitment Material: Email Copy

Dear [participant name],

Thank you for taking the time to read this email. You’ve received this email as you are subscribed to the Seniors Connect mailing list.

SENIOR RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS NEEDEDAre you interested in taking part in a photography

project?

Researchers at Vancouver Island University’s Department of Media Studies are partnering with Seniors Connect and are seeking senior participants from the Seniors Connect community to take part in a collaborative research project. The project, “Visual Expressions of Connection: A Seniors’ Creative Show and Tell,” will employ Photovoice to explore issues around social isolation and integration in the elder community. We invite seniors, 55 years old and above, to let us know if you are interested.

Project Details

● Participants will take part in a 6-week long Photovoice activity, producing photographic works based on a series of questions about social isolation and integration.

● Prior to the Photovoice activity, participants will be invited to attend a basic camera skills and photography technique workshop delivered by student researchers, in addition to a workshop focussed on ethics and photography.

● Each week of the Photovoice activity, participants will meet at the Seniors Connect Centre to take part in photograph sharing and group reflection sessions. Participants will first be individually interviewed to discuss the meanings behind their photographs, and then join in a group photography sharing and reflection exercise with other participants.

● Participants will be reimbursed for their time and inconvenience with refreshments and food over the course of the project’s meetings and contact points.

● Seniors Connect will hold a Photography Exhibit featuring photographs from the research project in October 2018, Seniors month, to which participants are invited to help organize.

If interested, please reply to this email, or contact Lynne Henshaw (bettertogethernanaimo@gmail.com 250-760-0301) or Penny McCourt (bettertogethernanaimo@gmail.com 250-756-2129).

- Appendix F -Recruitment Material: Poster

- Appendix G -Recruitment Material: Word-of-Mouth Script

Hi there,

Thanks for taking the time to speak with me today.

My name is _________ and I’m helping organize an action research study around social issues that seniors in the Nanaimo community face. Are you interested in hearing a bit more about it?

The project is titled “Visual Expressions of Connection: A Seniors’ Creative Show and Tell”, and will use photography to explore issues that are common the senior community here in Nanaimo. This is collaborative research between Vancouver Island University’s Media Studies department, Seniors Connect, and people like you. This project will cover topics such as ageism, social isolation, and integration.

It’s a 6-week long Photovoice activity in which participants will have the opportunity to produce photographic works based on questions about social isolation and integration.

Before the activity, participants will be asked to attend a basic camera skills and photography technique workshop delivered by student researchers, in addition to a workshop focussed on ethics and photography.

Each week of the Photovoice activity, participants will meet at the Seniors Connect Centre to take part in photograph sharing and group reflection sessions. Participants will first be individually interviewed to discuss the meanings behind their photographs, and then join in a group photography sharing and reflection exercise with other participants.

If you decide to participate you will be reimbursed for your time and inconvenience with refreshments and food over the course of the project’s meetings.

Do you have any questions about this project?

Does this sound like something you would be interested in participating in?

- Appendix H -Recruitment Material: Phone Script

Good afternoon,

Thanks for taking the time to talk with me today.

My name is _________ and I’m helping to organize an action research study around social issues that seniors in the Nanaimo community face. Are you interested in hearing a bit more about it?

I’m calling because we’re recruiting senior participants from the Seniors Connect community for an action research study. The project is titled “Visual Expressions of Connection: A Seniors’ Creative Show and Tell”, and will use photography to explore issues that are common the elderly community. This is collaborative research between our department, Seniors Connect, and Nanaimo seniors.

The issues we’ll be exploring include things such as social isolation and integration. We’re using these topics as a way to bring to light these issues.

If you’re interested in participating it will be a 6-week long photovoice activity in which you will produce photographic works based on questions that we will give you about social issues.

Before this Photovoice activity, you will be asked to attend a basic camera skills and photography technique workshop that we will be holding, in addition to a workshop focussed on ethics and photography.

Each week of the Photovoice activity, participants will meet at the Seniors Connect Centre to take part in photograph sharing and group reflection sessions. Participants will first be individually interviewed to discuss the meanings behind their photographs, and then join in a group photography sharing and reflection exercise with other participants.

As this is a lot of work, you will be reimbursed for your time and inconvenience with refreshments and food over the course of the project’s meetings and contact points.

Do you have any questions for me about this project?

Are you interested in taking part in this project?

[details for first meeting, contact information, etc]

Thanks again for taking the time to speak with me today.

- Appendix I -Resources to Mitigate Mental and Emotional Distress

The following resources are available for access should the mental or emotional need arise. These resource cards will be printed and disseminated to the participants.