At Intergenerational England, our mission is to foster connections across generations to tackle some of society’s most pressing challenges. Recently, we were privileged to contribute to the HAPPI Hour session Living Intergenerationally: Finding the Common Ground. This webinar, hosted by the Housing LIN, explored the transformative potential of intergenerational living and the innovative ways housing providers and architects are reimagining spaces to bring generations together.
This event was a compelling reminder that intergenerational living is not just a concept for housing specialists or social innovators, it’s a call to action for all of us.
The discussion opened with an important premise: intergenerational living is all our business. In a time when age-segregation often shapes our housing and social structures, it’s essential to reframe the conversation. Intergenerational approaches don’t just benefit one demographic, they create a ripple effect of social good.
For example, developments designed with intergenerational living in mind can reduce loneliness among older adults, foster mentorship opportunities for younger generations, and build more resilient communities. At Intergenerational England, we champion these ideas by emphasising the life-course approach, recognising that every stage of life is enriched by meaningful connections across generations.
One of the most inspiring aspects of the session was the variety of examples shared by housing providers and architects. From community spaces designed to encourage interaction to co-living arrangements that blend private and shared spaces, it’s clear that intergenerational thinking is sparking innovation in housing design.
One key takeaway was the importance of designing not just for coexistence but for connection. It’s not enough for generations to live side by side, the spaces we create must actively encourage interaction. This aligns with our belief at Intergenerational England that intentional design and programming are essential to fostering genuine connections.
Whether you’re a housing provider, architect, policymaker, or community member, there’s a role for you in this movement. Together, we can create environments where intergenerational connections thrive and where the common ground between generations becomes a foundation for stronger communities.
For those who missed the webinar, we encourage you to watch the recording here.