Access All Ages: Bringing Sectors Together for an Intergenerational Future

Last week we were proud to host Access All Ages: An Intergenerational Conference at Mercers’ Hall, bringing together leaders, practitioners, policymakers and community organisations from across sectors to explore how intergenerational approaches can shape a more connected society.

The event created a shared space for reflection, creativity and forward thinking demonstrating the growing momentum behind the intergenerational movement. One of the most powerful aspects of the conference was the diversity of voices in the room. Attendees came from sectors including health, housing, education, research, the voluntary sector, local government and business.This cross-sector representation reflected an important truth: intergenerational thinking is not confined to one field and it has the potential to transform how we design systems, communities and policies across society.

Throughout the morning, conversations explored how intergenerational approaches can address some of the most pressing challenges we face today such as loneliness, community fragmentation to workforce pressures and wellbeing.

The conference blended insight, creativity and participation, allowing guests not only to hear about intergenerational practice but to experience it first-hand.

Highlights included:

• A live intergenerational music performance where primary and secondary school children performed, the conference participants were later taught the song for a moment of intergenerational connection through the power of music

• Presentations exploring the role of creative community hubs and place-based programmes

• Interactive table discussions that encouraged participants to exchange ideas and experiences across generations and sectors

A key part of the day invited participants to look ahead. In table discussions, guests were asked to imagine their best-case scenario of an intergenerational world. Conversations quickly moved beyond theory to practical possibilities.

Participants spoke about:

• Communities designed for connection across generations

• Workplaces that recognise the strengths of multi-generational teams

• Policies that support lifelong participation and contribution

• Services that bring together lived experience across ages

These conversations highlighted that building an intergenerational society requires intentional policy design, collaborative leadership and systems thinking.

While the event celebrated the impact of current programmes and partnerships, it also focused on what comes next. The discussions reinforced that local practice and national systems must work together. Community programmes demonstrate what works on the ground, while policy alignment ensures those approaches can scale and create lasting impact. By bringing together practitioners, policymakers and sector leaders, Access All Ages helped to strengthen the networks needed to move this work forward.

A Growing Movement

The overwhelmingly positive feedback from attendees reflected both the energy in the room and the importance of the topic.

Participants shared that the conference:

• Sparked new ideas and collaborations

• Provided space for meaningful cross-sector dialogue

• Reinforced the need to embed intergenerational thinking into policy and systems

Most importantly, it highlighted that there is a growing appetite to build a society where generations work together rather than apart. By continuing to connect practice, research and policy, we can move closer to a world where intergenerational thinking is not the exception, but the norm.

For everyone that would like to stay in touch with us and discuss partnerships, our workplace taskforce or bringing AAA into your community or work settings, please email us at info@intergenerationalengland.org

If you’d like to use images from the conference, you can access them here. Please credit Intergenerational England and Intergenerational Music Making.

Learn more about our Access All Ages Music Pack here.