Building mutual support and social capital in retirement communities

This Housing LIN Viewpoint no 23 explores how volunteers contribute to the running of sheltered and extra care housing and the quality of life of those living in them. How do those living in communities exclusively designed for older people support each other and contribute and connect to the wider community? What might 'choice and control' and 'co-production' look like for these micro-communities? And what scope is there to encourage 'localism', 'co-production', 'mutuality' and 'social capital' here and what are the obstacles and the limitations?