Are you looking to bring generations together?
There’s often a lot of enthusiasm for intergenerational projects but sometimes it can be hard to know where to start.
Our Empower programme supports retirement schemes, schools and community groups across the UK to set up their own intergenerational projects.
Through our support, knowledge and expertise, we give people the confidence to organise and deliver safe, meaningful and impactful intergenerational activities in their communities.
We know first hand what it takes to organise intergenerational programmes, having helped more than 2,300 people in London meet someone from a different generation. We also know how impactful such activities can be, from boosting older people’s wellbeing to helping children develop empathy and kindness.
Want to get involved? Fill in our short form and we’ll be in touch.
Who we support
We believe that intergenerational connections can change our communities for the better. We support housing associations, schools, community groups and individuals design and deliver their own intergenerational projects, so that more people can benefit from intergenerational friendships.
We do this via our online platform, our Activity Hub and just generally being on hand to offer advice.
Housing Associations
We support housing associations and providers of older people’s housing in running impactful intergenerational programmes.
We know that there’s lots of enthusiasm for these kinds of projects but often it’s hard to know where to start. We help remove these barriers by finding a local school for schemes to partner with and making programme coordination easy via our simple online platform.
To find out more and request a brochure, get in touch.
schools
We partner with schools who select groups of children to visit retirement homes. We work with teachers to help them run intergenerational activities that are appropriate for all ages.
We find that intergenerational connection is best when it’s done locally and that’s why we make sure schools are within a 15 minute walk away.
Contact us to see if we have any opportunities available near you.
Community Groups and Individuals
We always like hearing from individuals and community groups that are looking to run their own intergenerational activities.
Get in touch if you’re looking for some advice, or you can access our Activity Hub for free. Full of tried and tested resources, you’ll find everything from quick games and icebreakers to longer learning-based activities.
Visit the Activity Hub here.
Bringing generations together across the UK
So far, we have connected and supported more than 20 retirement schemes and schools across nine counties through our Empower programme. We have worked with several major housing associations including Clarion, Orbit and Housing 21.
west sussex
Marten House and London Meed Primary are one of our longest running Empower projects. Based in West Sussex, they were connected in June 2022 as part of our pilot and have since met each term.
Click here to read more about the project and its impact.
What people have said about Empower
Teachers, scheme managers and participants have told us how much they enjoy being part of the programme and how it helps foster a sense of community.
“I don’t have any young members of my family, so having these visits cheers me up. I love being around the children.”
“It is a fantastic tool that enables me to engage with Dell Court and create intergenerational connections in our community.”
“Part of my role is to enable a sense of community here, but it can be a challenge with so many competing priorities. Empower’s online platform helps me to fulfil this part of my job description. It’s very easy to use and keeps everything all in one place!”
Read Housing LIN’s Report Summary here.
Housing LIN’s external evaluation
Housing LIN have recently done an external evaluation of the programme, which found that it helps improve health and wellbeing outcomes for older participants, boosts social and emotional learning for younger participants, builds community cohesion, tackles ageism, and improves workplace satisfaction (for those working in older people’s housing).
Click here to read Housing LIN’s Report Summary.
You can also watch InCommon speak at Housing LIN’s HAPPI Hour.
Join an intergenerational movement
Fill in our short form and we'll get back to you with more information.