Leisure as Process and Change: What do Older People Say?

Abstract

This paper examines the notion of leisure as process and leisure as change. Drawing on recently completed research, which used a case study approach to explore the ways in which older people constructed their leisure through engagement with community theatre, I discuss how some qualitative research methods are supportive of emergent theories about leisure as a process of change. When ‘subjects’ of research become co-participants in the construction of new meanings, then a picture of leisure as a process can emerge. Process implies change over time, and so the conceptualisation of leisure as process allows us to recognise change as a fundamental aspect of the leisure experience. The paper concludes that if we are to embrace change in leisure studies we need to examine both our research methods and the ways in which we ‘deliver’ leisure services.