Airing Our Dirty Laundry

Episode will release on the 6th November 2026

Does moving into a care home mean leaving love, intimacy and relationships behind?

Love and sexuality don't stop mattering as we get older. Yet ageism and outdated attitudes can make it difficult for older adults to talk about their relationships, express their needs and get the support they deserve.

In this podcast, University of Sheffield research Sharron Hinchliff explores the often overlooked subject of ageing and sexuality, and why older people's sexual rights matter.

Drawing on more than 20 years of research, she discusses the challenges older adults face when it comes to sexual health and wellbeing, and how her work led to the creation of Sheffield's Sexual Rights Charter. Developed with Age Friendly Sheffield, the charter aims to help care homes create more open and supportive environments where residents can feel comfortable expressing their identities and maintaining relationships.

She also shares the story behind Airing Your Dirty Laundry in Public, a creative collaboration with ceramic artist Angie Hardwick for Festival of the Mind 2026. Featuring a life-sized washing line hung with ceramic underwear, the installation uses real experiences from care homes to challenge taboos around love, intimacy and sexuality in later life.

Listen to discover how research, art and a little humour can challenge attitudes towards ageing and help make care homes places where love, dignity and personal relationships are respected.