Care homes across Sheffield are set to receive training to tackle the discrimination older people can face around sex and relationships.

The training is based on the UK’s first Sexual Rights Charter, created by researchers at the University of Sheffield’s Healthy Lifespan Institute in collaboration with Age-friendly Sheffield.

The Charter, launched in 2022, is designed to empower people to have open and frank discussions about sex, so that older adults are able to get the support they need. In partnership with Sheffield City Council, the charter is being used to co-design, develop and roll-out training to over 60 care homes across the wider city region.

Research has found that older adults are more likely to face discrimination when it comes to their sexual health and wellbeing, such as not being able to manage their sexual expression in care homes due to a lack of privacy and staff attitudes.

The charter has already been used to underpin training for nurses working in primary care across South Yorkshire, designed in partnership with Primary Care Doncaster.

Angela Argenzio, chair of the Adult Health and Social Care Policy Committee at Sheffield City Council, said: “Our Quality and Performance Team has been working collaboratively with the University of Sheffield for over a year to support and develop the care home workforce and to better understand the sexual rights of older adults.

“Our communities and the people within them are Sheffield’s greatest asset and it is the council’s aim to help more people live long and fulfilling lives. This piece of work will help older adults living in care homes across the city and region to live the lives they want to, and this is great to see.”

Professor Sharron Hinchliff, lead researcher on the project and Professor of Psychology and Health at the University’s School of Allied Health Professions, Nursing and Midwifery, said: “In adult social care, it is important to have an open culture towards sexuality so the charter helps create that. The resources we are developing will be a key step in giving care home staff the guidance and understanding they need to better support residents. We’re also exploring ways to expand the literature in terms of transgender and diverse sexual identities to make the charter even more inclusive.”