Homes for Healthy Ageing Programme: Opportunity for locations to host a 2022 Testbed

Connected Places Catapult’s Homes for Healthy Ageing Programme seeks to build a healthier future for the UK. Given that in the next decade, 20% of the total population in the UK will be over 65 years old, increasing to 25% by 2050; our programme explores how the home can be used as a nexus to unlock better health and wellbeing for people to live independently in their houses and communities for longer. 

Drawing on world-leading academic and industry research, we work with local partners to explore how innovative approaches and solutions from innovators and UK businesses can help to overcome existing challenges that older people are experiencing in their homes and places to improve their health and wellbeing. Through demonstrating the insights and impact achieved through testing these new approaches, we are seeking to influence the UK Built Environment industry to integrate healthy ageing interventions into their design thinking and business models. 

To achieve this, Connected Places Catapult has committed to launch five testbeds to trial and develop innovative solutions to the UK’s Healthy Ageing challenges. Over two phases, location partners and UK innovators will have the opportunity to test their promising solutions in local, community-centred, real-world scenarios. The learnings and outcomes of these testbeds will form the basis of a business case to encourage the built environment industry to integrate healthy ageing into their design thinking and business models.  

After selecting our first two testbed partners earlier in 2021, we are now looking for our next three location partners, which we will announce before the end of March 2022. 

This webinar will provide interested location hosts with details about the programme – including the benefits of hosting a testbed, the open call process, our challenge themes, and key dates. Our current two testbed partners, based in Sunderland and Northern Ireland, will also share learnings from their experience of the first open call and offer tips on what applicants can expect in the second round. 

Second Round Challenges 

The Home 

Domestic spaces where people live, whether owner occupied or rented. This can include shared spaces for gathering and activities. 

Challenge: The functionality of the home to support independent living in old age 

Place 

Situating the home in the wider context of the neighbourhood, including the urban realm, access to local amenities and transport connectivity. 

Challenge: Places to support active ageing and easy access to amenities 

Care Provision 

Care provision can happen in the home, but new models of care could look at the wider amenities, connections and environment beyond the home. 

Challenge: Innovation to support care provision