This is the first in a four-part series that demonstrates how the Vivensa Foundation is making an impact. Here, we look at how we are supporting community-level change through projects that drive wider and sustainable community improvements. This ensures that ageing well is something that more people can enjoy.
Community-driven research with co-researchers
The Amar bari, amar jibon project — Bengali for ‘my home, my life’ — aims to better understand the health and housing inequalities faced by older Bangladeshi individuals (‘probin’ in Bangla) living in East London. Researchers from The Open University are partnering with the Bangla Housing Association and Housing Learning and Improvement Network (Housing LIN) to deliver this research in, with and for the community.
One of the many ways this is being done is by using community co-researchers. These local people from the East London Bangladeshi community are recruited into a paid role and are trained in research ethics and interview techniques. Co-researchers are playing a crucial role: building community trust and recruiting participants; conducting and translating interviews in Bengali, Sylheti and English; and bringing a wealth of knowledge drawn from their own lived experiences.
As one community co-researcher says: “Research projects that involve the community are crucial because they amplify voices that might otherwise go unheard. They help capture historical narratives, identify common themes, and provide a deeper understanding of social patterns.”
With interviews and focus groups almost complete, the project team has shared some preliminary insights. While more in-depth analysis is underway before the final results will be published, the project is already influencing possible community-level change. The team met with Tom Copley, Deputy Mayor of London for Housing and Residential Development, and BME London Landlords. They discussed how to promote a greater range of culturally appropriate housing options, and encouraged landlords to draw on the learning from community-led projects such as Amar bari, amar jibon.
Understanding community resilience through almshouses
Almshouses are a unique housing model where properties are managed by a charitable trust and residents are beneficiaries rather than tenants. Many almshouses are intended for older people in financial need. They offer a way for people to stay better embedded within their communities.
The Almshouse Resilient Communities (ARC) for the Future project examined how resilience can be fostered in almshouse communities. It was led by University College London, in partnership with seven almshouse charities and the University of Suffolk. The team analysed data gathered from residents, operational and senior almshouse staff and trustees. As Alison Benzimra, Head of Research and Influence at United St Saviour’s Charity, says: “Good community-engaged research is not just about collecting data. It’s about understanding the community’s experiences and making sure they see the tangible benefits of their involvement.”
Now complete, the project’s Knowledge Hub offers free resources. These are useful for almshouse residents, staff, social housing providers, and anyone interested in strengthening communities to deal with change. They found that safe, secure, and well-maintained housing fosters both individual and community resilience. The project has gone on to influence maintenance practices and demonstrate how almshouses can strengthen social connections among residents.
Developing local housing partnerships through serious games
Getting the right people in the room is one of the biggest barriers to local housing becoming fit for an ageing population. Those involved in housing, health, social care, social work, and local planning as well as elected local officials all need to work together. Socialudo’s Hopetown is an evaluated serious game methodology that helps these key stakeholders to plan together for housing and ageing.
Socialudo ran their Hopetown ‘serious game’ within Southwark as a tool to develop local housing partnerships. The game brought together more than 40 policymakers, service providers and community advocates to role-play solutions in the fictional Hopetown. Players negotiate budgets, plan for ageing populations, and confront the consequences of short-term thinking — all in a safe board-game format.
Real data and local people’s stories are woven into the gameplay. So the fictionalised town shows the typical journeys of what Southwark residents see day-to-day and the challenges they face.
The pilot report outlined key recommendations for the district. One of which, to take forward a strategy for older people’s housing using the network brought together by the game, has since happened. The Hopetown serious game has gone on to be used with ADASS, Northern Housing Consortium and NHS North Cumbria. It also supported an award-winning Ageing Well program in South Ayrshire. As Socialudo’s co-founder and Creative Director, Professor Vikki McCall says: ‘“We need a more structured approach to cross-agency collaboration. When they do work together, that’s where the magic happens.”
Funding for the future of ageing well
We support community-level change by funding projects and programmes that put communities at the heart of research and solutions. Read insights from more projects funded by the Vivensa Foundation. And discover how they’ve made a real difference to older people’s lives.
We’ve also collated tips, advice and the steps needed to build successful partnerships and how to do community-engaged research well.
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