In an article marking the launch of Intergenerational England’s new report, A Divided Kingdom: Steps Towards Intergenerational Solidarity, Syed Kamall reflects on the growing age divide in the UK and urges a cultural and policy shift to bring generations closer together. Kamall highlights how societal disconnection, amplified by the decline of extended families and age-segregated communities, harms both physical and mental health, contributing to loneliness, depression, and a lack of mutual understanding.
Drawing on powerful examples from across the UK, including musical projects, intergenerational housing, and care homes that host baby groups and youth programmes, Kamall showcases how meaningful contact between generations can transform lives. From his own visit to Intergenerational Music Making’s Guildford Hub to initiatives in Blackpool and the North West, he illustrates how shared experiences can combat harmful stereotypes and foster a deeper sense of belonging.
Kamall stresses that the solution doesn’t lie solely in government. Instead, he urges civil society, educators, healthcare professionals, businesses, and communities to embed intergenerational approaches in everyday life. As Kamall writes, “Let’s all be part of a movement that connects us—locally, nationally and generationally.”
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