University of Stirling ageing experts share pioneering work with Scotland Office minister

Connecting Generations Co-Director, Professor Alison Bowes from the University of Stirling, welcomed UK Government Minister for Scotland Malcolm Offord for a tour of the world-renowned Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC), and to hear about the new Intergenerational Living Innovation Hub, which will form part of the Connecting Generations research programme.

Lord Offord of Garvel, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Scotland, learned how the University of Stirlling's research has facilitated important changes to approaches to ageing and dementia worldwide.

Lord Offord also heard details of the new intergenerational innovation centre in Clackmannanshire, which will enable and support transformative approaches to community resilience, wellbeing and economic regeneration in the region. The state-of-the-art Intergenerational Living Innovation Hub has received £7.25 million of UK Government funding under the Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal. Joining the visit was Councillor Ellen Forson, Leader of Clackmannanshire Council and Chair of the Clackmannanshire Commission, which awarded the funding to the project.

Councillor Forson and University of Stirling representatives told Lord Offord about how the Hub will bring together researchers, industry, healthcare providers and the third sector to develop innovative ways for an ageing population to live, work and socialise. Architects, designers, construction companies and technology providers will work in collaboration to help bring commercially and socially viable solutions to life. The Connecting Generations project 'Changing intergenerational relationships: a regional case study' will use these relationships and networks to work collaboratively with local communities, co-producing research. The Intergenerational Living Innovation Hub will include a vital facility for testing out research innovations which support community integration, address inequality and improve intergenerational support.

Professor Judith Phillips OBE, Connecting Generations member, Deputy Principal (Research) and Professor in Dementia and Ageing at the University of Stirling said: “The University of Stirling is a leader in ageing and dementia design research and we were delighted to share our work with Lord Offord. The new Intergenerational Living Innovation Hub will be a game-changer and puts the University and Clackmannanshire at the heart of ageing research.”

She added: “Together with our partners in design, construction, industry and healthcare, our researchers will be making even more advances to address the global trend of an ageing population and all the demands that creates on our society. The Hub will create opportunity, and in doing so transform the lives of older people and those with dementia, for the better.”

@StirUni experts in ageing, dementia and housing welcomed @ScotSecofState Lord Offord and @ClacksCouncil to our @dementiacentre to share our pioneering research and ambitious plans. More here: https://t.co/UhRFxXuFCu pic.twitter.com/U9wa5Np0fA

— University of Stirling (@StirUni) February 27, 2023

Posted 02/03/2023 11:54