🙏Thank you to our speakers, sponsors & delegates for making #HLINconf26 a success!
From inspiring keynotes to practical sector insights, our Bristol conference highlighted how collaboration can shape homes for health, independence & connection.
Post-event summary👇
www.housinglin.org.uk/login/
Afternoon keynote from Nick Hibberd (Bristol City Council) highlighted the vital link between housing & adult social care. From affordable rent to specialist schemes, the message was clear: NHS & social care reform must include housing, with prevention & neighbourhood health at its heart #HLINconf26
Savannah Fishel (researcher) provides fresh thinking on intergenerational/communal living. Her Beyond the White Picket Fence work shows how shared living models can strengthen social connection, improve wellbeing in housing and community: www.housinglin.org.uk/blogs/Collec... #HLINconf26
Chris McGinley (Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design) & Lynn Lewis (Guinness Partnerships) shared The Connector, a co-designed initiative with residents exploring how homes/communities can support physical, social & digital wellbeing in later life: www.housinglin.org.uk/Topics/Inspi... #HLINconf26
Sem Lee (OURI Labs) introduces the concept of age-shaping ➡️ designing neighbourhoods that actively support health, inclusion and wellbeing across the life course. A compelling reminder that age-friendly communities benefit everyone #HLINconf26
Great to hear from Pat Steward on Agile Homes’ cluster and core housing model. Real-world examples from Cambridge highlighted how collaborative design, community engagement and partnerships with planners and public health teams can shape healthier neighbourhoods. #HLINconf26
David Hall (HCR Law) explores the role of technology in ageing communities from a legal perspective. Practical examples of tech for communities alongside useful reminders about data sharing, governance and potential pitfalls made for a thought-provoking session #HLINconf26
David Williams (St Monica Trust) shared a powerful example of place-shaping in practice with The Chocolate Quarter. By engaging residents & the wider community from the start, this intergenerational model shows how retirement living can foster connection, wellbeing and vibrant local life #HLINconf26
Fascinating insights from Sian De Bell exploring the evidence behind extra care housing. With the 80+ population set to double, understanding resident experiences, outcomes & costs is vital to shaping the future of this housing model.
Read blog: www.housinglin.org.uk/blogs/Extra-... #HLINconf26
Simon Atkins (PRP) delivers an inspiring session on designing for dynamic independence & purposeful living. Case studies from Paignton, Swindon & Torquay showed how thoughtful design can nurture wellbeing, create vibrant communities and support people to live well for longer #HLINconf26
Releasing a new DHWG dementia-friendly guide, Bruce Moore shared how Housing 21 is helping shape ageing futures built on dignity, choice & independence. From resident-led communities to dementia-friendly design, empowering people to age well.
🔗 www.housinglin.org.uk/Topics/type/... #HLINconf26
#HLINconf26 keynote from Ian Workman (Homes England) on Social & Affordable Homes Programme + role of specialist and supported housing. With growing demand from older, disabled & vulnerable people, investment and partnership will be key🔑 to delivering the homes communities needed.
#HAPPI #TAPPI
@vivensa.bsky.social
A strong start to #HLINconf26 in Bristol from @jeremyhlin.bsky.social, setting the scene for Shaping homes for health, independence & connection. Speaks on our key priorities for 2026 & the new SHAPE Exchange programme to better housing for an ageing population.
🔗 www.housinglin.org.uk/shape/
🚨New #HLINblog!
Ahead of #HLINconf26, Sian de Bell & Zhivko Zhelev (University of Exeter) review 98 studies on residents’ experiences, outcomes & costs in extra care housing, highlighting insights on independence, care & community as the 80+ population grows.
www.housinglin.org.uk/blogs/Extra-...
In this week’s #HLINks:
📢 Bristol #HLINconf26 update
🌐 New SHAPE Exchange website launch
🤝 The Connector – co-designing for late life connection
✍️ Future Leaders blog from Sam Gilly
🏴 Scotland’s Housing Festival
📣 Casey Commission on adult social care
…and more! www.housinglin.org.uk/nl/?nid=3210
New #InspirationalAchievement feature!
A Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design, Royal College of Art and Guinness Partnership project exploring how people, place & technology can support connection in later life.
Find out more at #HLINconf26 on 12/03 or read more at: www.housinglin.org.uk/Topics/Inspi...
Our CEO, @jeremyhlin.bsky.social, joined Angela Currie (Hanover Scotland's CEO) at yesterday's Chartered Institute of Housing Scotland. Chaired by ITV's Vanessa Taaffe, it was the first time housing for older people had taken centre stage at the event.
Read on: www.housinglin.org.uk/News/Housing...
💼As #NationalCareersWeek celebrates diverse paths into meaningful work, we’re proud to share Sam Gilly’s #FutureLeaders blog, “Breaking the Mold: Learning That My Path Still Counts,” from the Housing LIN programme sponsored by Sovereign Network Group.
Read on: www.housinglin.org.uk/blogs/Breaki...
🚀Last week at #HLINconf26 in Newcastle, we launched the new SHAPE Exchange website!
SHAPE Exchange is a 5-year programme improving age-friendly homes across the UK, with tools, leadership support & real-world labs.
Explore & get involved🔗
www.housinglin.org.uk/News/Discove... @vivensa.bsky.social
Today's #HLINks shares:
💠 #HLINconf overview
💠 #HousingDesignAwards deadline
💠 Bidding opens for Social & Affordable Homes Programme 2026-36
💠Welsh Government's draft dementia strategy for Wales 2026-36
💠 #HLINblog by AtkinsRéalis on resident engagement
And more: www.housinglin.org.uk/nl/?nid=3207
👏That’s a wrap! Our CEO Jeremy Porteus closes #HLINconf26 in Newcastle, celebrating insights & innovation across ageing, housing, community & health. A big thank you to all our sponsors for making today possible. Next up... Bristol (12 March)!
Book here: www.housinglin.org.uk/Events/Housi...
➡️Closing keynote #HLINconf26 – William Roberts (RSPH UK) explores and perfectly concludes how housing can create a healthier, happier nation. A fantastic overview of housing’s role in wellbeing & positive impact on health.
✨Read Jon's recent #HLINblog titled 'Working together to deliver extra care schemes', at: www.housinglin.org.uk/blogs/Workin...
🔑 #HLINconf26 – Jon McDonald (Karbon Homes) highlights their accessible housing & specialist offer supporting health & wellbeing in later life, delivered with the #HAPPI design principles and partnerships at the heart of delivery: www.housinglin.org.uk/Topics/brows...
💡Thomas Dodd (Tunstall Healthcare) & Carla Dix (Delta Wellbeing) share how partnerships & connected models can predict, prevent & support care needs as people age, while Natalie James & Lynn Williams (Stockport Homes) showcase Independent Living & Carecall boosting resident wellbeing #HLINconf26
🤝 #HLINconf26 – Nick Sinclair (Community Catalysts) on relationship-based, community-centred support for those facing housing instability. Read his recent #HLINblog with 4 stories of local area coordination here: www.housinglin.org.uk/blogs/Alongs...
🌳 #HLINconf26 – Carly Dickson (ARUP) presents the Age-friendly Town & Parish Guide: co-creating strategies with locals for better community outcomes produced in partnership with Housing LIN for the Centre for Ageing Better. Read the full guide at www.housinglin.org.uk/Topics/type/...
🏘️ #HLINconf26 – Barbara Clarenz (AtkinsRéalis) shares how they create the framework in order for community to develop naturally, referencing Surrey’s Horley Independent Living #HLINCaseStudy on supported independent living: www.housinglin.org.uk/Topics/type/... #HeadlineSponsor
Our CEO Katy opened the @housinglin.bsky.social conference in Newcastle today, talking about our SHAPE Exchange partnership. Our Trustee and Chair for the SHAPE Advisory Group @profroseg.bsky.social spoke about the provision of housing for older people in the NE.
#HLINconf2026
