The Age-Friendly Living Ecosystem (AFLE) project generated evidence-informed policy and practice actions towards the conceptualization of age-friendly and intergenerational living ecosystems of community hubs to facilitate intergenerational learning and connectivity for more inclusive global cities and communities. The project aimed to unite diverse generations through purposeful, fair, and participatory co-creation endeavors with the shared objective of
crafting an intergenerational age-friendly living ecosystem. Drawing inspiration from Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems model and the socio-ecological model, AFLE encompasses different systems interacting across various levels. A significant outcome of this initiative was the development of a conceptual model upon which the IncludeAge project was founded.
The Project
Background
The shift towards ageing societies requires careful consideration of how best to ensure that older people can live well for as long as possible in their own homes and communities. This means constructing social, physical and technological /digital spaces and places that not only accommodate older people, but that welcome them as part and parcel of everyday life.
To avoid the generation of old-age specific environments, an intergenerational approach to developing age-friendly ecosystems was proposed in the AFLE project to ensure that people of all ages are integrated into the matrix of opportunities afforded in their lifetime communities and can benefit from national and international ageing initiatives for living well in later life.
Purpose
The proposed AFLE initiative was instigated by the Intergenerational National Network – a Scottish organisation established by members of the the local Scottish community. The Intergenerational National Network’s mission is to bring together individuals across generations, disciplines and sectors to work towards a shared goal of co-creating spaces and places that promote social connectivity, inclusivity, diversity, and multi-generational working. Together with the project team members, and working in transdisciplinary ways, the team identified a need for the development of intergenerational models of connectivity using co-production methods to inform the conceptualisation of inclusive and integrative age-friendly environments.
Aims & Objectives
The project aimed to co-produce with diverse stakeholder groups, the concept of age-friendly and intergenerational living eco-systems to support and provide opportunities for people as they age to reap the socioeconomic benefits of their local and virtual communities and help them become fully integrated, valued and contributory members of society.
1) Understand, in Scotland, and learning from other countries, the current status of community and social hubs of older people, how they work, for whom and in what context, as well as what they fail to deliver;
2) Bring together a transgenerational group of people from disciplines of psychology, sociology, health sciences, urban studies gerontology and technology, education, together with cross-sectoral partners in health and social care, architecture and design, city planning, welfare, housing, third, voluntary and community sector and public sector organisations, industry and business to engage in knowledge co-creation;
3) Promote a transnational, translatable community of practice to sustain the living ecosystem idea beyond the remit of the project, and;
4) Develop a transgenerational model-of-practice with older people placed at the centre but connecting across generations to lever opportunities and provide supports.
Team
IncludeAge Principal Investigator Judith Sixsmith and IncludeAge Co-Principal Investigator Mei Lan Fang were co-leads of the Age-Friendly Living Ecosystems (AFLE) project.
The full AFLE team is listed below:
- Mei Lan Fang | Co-Lead
- Alison Hamilton-Pryde | Co-Lead
- Judith Sixsmith | Co-Lead
- Petra Biberback | Project Partner
- Jacqueline Cassidy | Co-Investigator
- Jennifer Challinor | Co-Investigator
- Vikki McCall | Co-Investigator
- Ryan McKay | Co-Investigator
- Deborah Menenez | Co-Investigator
- Ro Pengelly | Co-Investigator
- Pat Scrutton | Co-Investigator
- Ryan Woolrych | Co-Investigator
Virtual Co-Creation Workshops
Six virtual co-creation camps were organised with cultural, activity and housing community organisations/initiatives in Scotland with participation of people of all ages across Scotland – children, young people, parents and older people living in urban and rural areas, alongside international partners.
The workshops created translational opportunities for intergenerational placemaking towards developing an age-friendly and intergenerational community ecosystem.
Virtual Co-Creation Camp (VCC) 1 – May 18, 2020
VCC1 focused on understanding what an intergenerational age-friendly ecosystem is and what it can look like. Participants explored the national and international context of current models of community and social hubs and a network of hubs for intergenerational working. Pre-workshop activities involved art (visual and written) and photo submissions from participants which were used to create a virtual mood board of ideas. Workshop activities included a project overview; a case study presentation on intergenerational places; a visual mapping exercise; input from children and younger participants; and a full group discussion session. All workshop activities considered the community implications of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Check out VCC 1’s summary poster, graphic illustrations and thematic findings report below to learn more.
Virtual Co-Creation Camp (VCC) 2 – June 23, 2020
VCC 2 focused on defining project aims, objectives and research questions. The workshop opened with a summary of reflections and findings from VCC 1. A case study on the conceptualization and development of Intergenerational Places in Dumfries was presented. Older adult participants then provided their input on new models of community and social hubs for intergenerational spaces and places. Three concurrent breakout sessions focused on: People & Place (Breakout 1), Culture & Relationships (Breakout 2), and Connecting & Learning (Breakout 3). Finally, a full group discussion and idea sharing session took place involving planning for next steps, survey participation and reflection exercises.
Check out VCC 2’s summary poster, graphic illustrations and thematic findings report below to learn more.
Virtual Co-Creation Camp (VCC) 3 – August 4, 2020
VCC 3 focused on co-analysis of findings from VCC 1 and 2 and included the internal project team and representatives from the Intergenerational National Network. This VCC began with a presentation of VCC1 and VCC2 key findings and themes followed by a discussion of the key aims, objectives and research questions and progressed by developing the concept of a ‘hub and spokes’ model for co-producing an intergenerational and age-friendly, living ecosystem.
Check out VCC 3’s summary poster, graphic illustrations and thematic findings report below to learn more.
Virtual Co-Creation Camp (VCC) 4 – September 16, 2020
VCC 4 focused on developing an intergenerational age-friendly living ecosystem. The workshop opened with an overview of key findings, aims and objectives followed by a case study presentation on building intergenerational places and spaces in Canada. A full group discussion followed that and later the group broke out into breakout groups to develop ideas in three areas: 1) Ideas to develop a community of practice; 2) Ideas to capture different voices; and 3) Ideas to share what we have learned. The session ended with another full group discussion.
Check out VCC 4’s summary poster, graphic illustrations and thematic findings report below to learn more.
Virtual Co-Creation Camp (VCC) 5 – October 28, 2020
VCC 5 focused on exploring opportunities for intergenerational policy and practice. The workshop opened with an overview of key findings and thoughts around policy followed by a case study on Planning Aid Scotland. A full group discussion followed that and later AFLE team leads led the group in a Policy Road Map: Policy into practice discussion. The session ended with another full group discussion.
Check out VCC 5’s summary poster, graphic illustrations and thematic findings report below to learn more.
Virtual Co-Creation Camp (VCC) 6 – December 2, 2020
VCC 6 focused on knowledge translation and pathways towards impact. The workshop opened with an overview of the workshop that day and key findings from all the workshops prior followed by a case study on knowledge translation and impact. Following that, the group broke out into breakout groups to discuss knowledge translation best practice and avenues towards impact. The session ended with a presentation on the challenges of intergenerational communication and a final full group discussion.
Check out VCC 6’s summary poster, graphic illustrations and thematic findings report below to learn more.
Report: Intergenerational and Age-Friendly Living Ecosystems
To learn more about the Age-Friendly Living Ecosystem (AFLE) project, including who was involved, project findings and key messages, read the AFLE project’s final report.