Shaping a Brighter Future for our Older Selves

Ian Spero the Founder of Agile Ageing Alliance talks to U3A about launching their report – Neighbourhoods of the Future 2019

“Older people are not just beneficiaries of Neighbourhoods of the Future, we also have a key role to play in their creation".

These are the words of U3A Chief Executive Sam Mauger, one of the VIP’s who attended a recent ceremony hosted by Lord Best, Chair All Party Parliamentary Committee on Housing and Care for Older People, to launch Neighbourhoods of the Future 2019, a truly inspirational report which captures the thoughts and predictions of a veritable `who's who' of eminent experts and emerging thought leaders.

Published by the Agile Ageing Alliance in partnership with Tata Steel. In these pages, you will discover what, in an ideal world, our homes and neighbourhoods could look like in 10 to 20 years and, more to the point, what steps must be taken now to disrupt the status quo and make this bold vision a reality.

According to Sam: “The media often paints older people as `a problem', rarely focusing on what we can contribute. The so called `deficit model' focuses exclusively on the negative aspects of ageing. This is a view that jars with U3A members, who engage in lifelong learning, have a thirst for knowledge and a more optimistic view of ageing.”

My name is Ian Spero, and I am the founder of the Agile Ageing Alliance (AAA) and the driving force behind Neighbourhoods of the Future. My 90 year old father is a long standing member and fan of U3A. Through my dad I have seen what a fantastic job U3A does supporting and helping older adults make the most of their later lives.

In May 2018 I invited Sam Mauger and a group of U3A members to join a two day conference we staged at NatWest Headquarters in London.

Here is what one of those U3A members Sue Coles had to say following the event: “What struck me at the Neighbourhoods of the Future conference was the speakers who painted a future where there are opportunities, not just for better housing, but for living longer, healthier, independent and more fulfilling lives. This is the future we want for ourselves, for other older adults and indeed younger people".

Speakers including Lord Best, and Sue Adams OBE, CEO of Care & Repair England, presented compelling arguments on the need for a re-think of house building and retrofitting.

Other speakers emphasised that it's not only homes but neighbourhoods that need to be age friendly, providing easy access to key services, especially public transport. They also spoke of the need to foster a sense of community. A fair and equitable multigenerational community where young families and older adults live in harmony.

If you would like to find out more and attend our next Neighbourhoods of the Future stakeholders event, which will be staged at NatWest HQ Bishopsgate on May 14th and 15th 2019

To register, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. putting Future Lives into the subject line.

Tell us something about yourselves and why you would like to be involved. We will pass these emails on to U3A. We will also send copies of the 344 page book to 5 of the most interesting responses.

Free Download If you would like to download a free copy of Neighbourhoods of the Future 2019 follow this link: https://www.agileageing.org/page/neighbourhoods-future

We look forward to hearing from you