Britain one of the most age-segregated countries, report finds

Britain is one of the most age-segregated countries in the world, according to its new report, ‘Together in the 2020s’.

The report features 20 recommendations compiled by 25 national and local organisations.

It calls for the development of 1,000 centres for all ages by 2030 as places to mix and share activities and experiences.

Contributors include representatives from the Children’s Commissioner for England, Local Government Association, Nesta, Youth Sport Trust, Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, Centre for Ageing Better, Care England, Anchor Hanover and Grandparents Plus. 

Recommendations include:

• Ending ageism by extending the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales’ campaign to end #EverydayAgeism across the UK
• Policies for all ages making economic and social policies work at all stages of life and assessing their intergenerational impact
• National positive ageing strategy ensuring that we make the most of the opportunities of our ageing society for all generations
• Designing a new ‘twin economy’ using the longevity dividend more effectively as individuals and for our communities and society
• Creating a government Department for Connection to join up and support intergenerational action nationally and locally
• Establishing an intergenerational curriculum starting young to shape children and young people’s learning, development and citizenship
• Opening up care homes to become centres for community activities, services and facilities
• Using the power of sport and football to promote intergenerational interaction, fitness and health for all ages
• Designating a national day of unity bank holiday to promote understanding, trust and interaction between generations all year round

The report also highlights the growth of projects bringing different generations together to mix and share activities and experiences in 2019.

Featured projects include The Together Project, InCommon, Youth Sport Trust’s Active Across Ages, Brightside, Homeshare, Apples and Honey Nightingale, London Play, Clarion Futures, Activate Learning and The Cares Family. 

Stephen Burke, director of United for All Ages, said, ‘Bringing Britain together is one of the biggest challenges for the new decade. The last decade saw huge disconnection and division. The 2020s can be different. Ending “age apartheid” and ageism and promoting more intergenerational mixing could help create a Britain for all ages by 2030 – united not divided.

‘More mixing between the generations is the way to build trust and understanding across our communities and our country. To make it happen requires not just vision and ambition, but also political will and leadership locally and nationally.’

The report is available here