August 2019

Authors: Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation (UK Branch) and the Centre for Ageing Better

Transitions in later life, for instance retiring from paid work, changing career, ending or starting a relationship, can have a major impact on people’s lives and their wellbeing. Recognising a gap in preventative support for transitions such as these, the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation (UK Branch) has funded a number of projects that provide group-based psychological and emotional support as part of its Transitions in Later Life programme.

This evaluation report focuses on two of these courses — Working Longer and Living Life to the Full, a two-day course run by Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CWP) and Changing Gears, a three-day course run by Age & Opportunity in Dublin, Ireland.

The report highlights the importance of providing support to employees in mid-life as a way of helping them stay in work for longer if they want to, plan for retirement, and think ahead about their future needs.