LEISURE AND THE SENSE OF PLACE OF OLDER ADULTS IN LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES IN BRAZIL AND THE UK

Resumo

Leisure plays a key role in supporting psychological, social and emotional well-being in later life. This paper aims to explore the relationship between leisure, place and income from the perspectives of older adults in the UK and Brazil and how older adults’ participation in leisure supports the development of sense of place within their communities. The data presented in the paper was gathered through a case study approach involving three cities in Brazil (Pelotas, Belo Horizonte e Brasília) and three in the UK (Edinburgh, Manchester and Glasgow). The findings draw upon qualitative data collected through the following research methods: face-to-face interviews, go-along interviews and photo diaries. The results have shown the low-income neighbourhoods studied both in Brazil and the UK are likely to have less leisure opportunities which tend to be provided by facilities such as CRAS (Reference Centre for Social Assistance) and communities centres. The lack of leisure opportunities particularly in low-income areas can negatively impact on the way older adults experience the sense of place within their neighbourhoods.