The Power of Intergenerational Connections: Building Healthier Communities Across Generations

At Kumar Medical Centre, the values of family, care, and community have always been at the

heart of everything we do. As a GP Partner, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside my

parents, who founded the practice in 1980. Their influence has been immense, shaping my

passion for continuing their legacy and creating a practice that not only serves individuals but

also supports families across generations.

Intergenerational support, at its core, is the concept of people from different age groups coming

together to share knowledge, experiences, and support. It’s about creating a bridge that

connects the wisdom of older generations with the energy and fresh perspectives of the young.

At Kumar Medical Centre, we’ve witnessed the profound impact of these connections on both

the health and wellbeing of our community.

Fostering Family Health: An Example of Intergenerational Support

In 2018, we launched our Diabetes Action Asian Lifestyle (DAAL) programme, designed to

tackle the growing concerns around diabetes. What made this programme unique was its focus

on involving families. Patients were encouraged to bring family members along to classes to

help them understand the impact of diabetes and support one another in their health journeys.

One of the most memorable examples I recall involved a grandmother who brought her

granddaughter to the classes. Initially, the granddaughter was simply providing transport

support but what unfolded next was truly remarkable. The pair began attending classes together

and, over time, bonded over nutrition. They started shopping and cooking together, planning

meals for the entire household. Their relationship blossomed into a shared commitment to

health, benefiting not only themselves but also their wider family.

This was a turning point for me personally, as it was the first time I truly saw the power of

intergenerational influence. The shared knowledge, shared responsibility, and shared care

made a lasting impact on their physical and emotional wellbeing.

Multigenerational Household Visits

In 2023, the approach was expanded, and we began to offer multigenerational household

visits as part of a wider Slough scheme to support families struggling to access primary care services. Many families weren’t engaging with healthcare providers, and we wanted to bridge that gap and promote equity of care.

During one visit, I had the opportunity to review a family in their home. We completed several health checks: the child’s preschool booster, the grandmother’s diabetes check-up, and the mother’s MMR vaccination. Additionally, we were able to engage with the father, the “golden

patient,” who hadn’t interacted with us in the previous two years. We caught him just after his night shift and completed his prediabetic check-up and asthma review. We also discussed the

importance of medication compliance and the benefits of prepaid certificates. The rest of the

family, who weren’t present during the visit, attended the surgery later that week for their

check-ups.

This was a perfect example of how health needs can be met comprehensively in one setting.

The family’s trust grew as they saw all their health concerns addressed in one visit. The impact

was clear, not only did we provide medical care, but we also strengthened relationships and

fostered trust and support between generations within the family. They felt acknowledged,

supported, and more connected to essential services they might have otherwise overlooked.

Looking Ahead: Building Intergenerational Support Across Communities

While our initial focus has been on supporting multigenerational households, the next step is

expanding this model across households and generations within the wider community.

This vision will hopefully come to life through the development of the Wexham

Neighbourhood Wellbeing Hub, a collaboration between Kumar Medical Centre, Wexham

242 (both practices part of SPINE Primary Care Network), the local schools, Viva Slough,

Slough Voluntary Sector, and Slough Borough Council.

Strategically located between two schools and a nursery, this hub will serve as a gathering place

for all generations—children, parents, and grandparents from different families. It will offer a

variety of services, including exercise classes, healthy eating workshops, immunisation

information, volunteering opportunities, housing support, employment advice, benefit

guidance, and NHS health checks.

The goal is to break down barriers and bring people of all ages together to support one another

in living healthier, more fulfilling lives. By creating a space where generations can meet, share,

and learn from each other. We aim to address the wider determinants of health, along with

community challenges such as mental wellbeing, long-term health issues, and healthy living,

in ways that are inclusive and accessible to everyone.

A Vision for a Healthier, Happier Community

We believe that building intergenerational connections is key to improving health outcomes in

our communities. By bringing generations together under one roof, we hope to foster a culture

of care, support, and mutual understanding that transcends age barriers.

In a world where many of us are separated by age, technology, or busy schedules, the Wexham

Neighbourhood Wellbeing Hub offers an opportunity to reimagine what community can look

like. By addressing both health and social challenges at the grassroots level and offering

services that welcome people of all ages, we strive to make a meaningful impact on the physical

and emotional wellbeing of our residents.

Ultimately, our goal is to empower our community to take ownership of their health and

wellbeing across generations, ensuring that every family, from the youngest to the oldest, feels

supported. Through this initiative, we work alongside the community to create a space where people of all ages come together to share, support, and inspire one another to lead healthier,

happier lives.

“One community, many generations, endless possibilities for wellbeing”