Collaboration takes centre stage at Housing LIN Conference 2026 in Newcastle
It was inspiring to hear from such a fantastic group of speakers, exploring the future of ageing, housing, community and health at last week's Housing LIN Conference hosted at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Newcastle.
From thought-provoking keynotes by the University of Stirling’s Professor Vikki McCall and the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) CEO, William Roberts, to practical insights from our sector showcases, the day reminded us of the power of collaboration in shaping inclusive, connected communities.
It was fantastic to see our CEO, Jeremy Porteus and Katy Saunders, in her first speaking engagement since she became the new CEO of Vivensa Foundation, to officially launch The Suitable Housing for an Ageing Population Evidence Exchange (SHAPE) website. Led by Housing LIN and funded by Vivensa Foundation, this five-year initiative will co-create age-friendly homes and places by connecting housing, health, social care partners, older people and community organisations. SHAPE will deliver tools, curate resources, fund regional testbeds (‘SHAPE Labs’), and provide leadership development, guided by an expert Advisory Group.
Learn more about SHAPE here
A huge thank you to our speakers for sharing their expertise and challenging us to think differently – whether it was innovative inclusive design, community-centred approaches, or housing as a lever for health and wellbeing. Your insights will continue to influence how we approach and shape policy, practice and planning.
And of course, we couldn’t have done this without our amazing headline sponsors, AtkinsRéalis, HCR Law, Housing 21, PROCare Shower & Bathroom Centre Ltd, PRP and Tunstall Healthcare Group, and to our affiliate sponsors, The Almshouse Association, Arcadis, P+HS Architects, St Monica Trust, The The Guinness Partnership and The Occupational Therapy Service. Your support makes these conversations possible and enables us to showcase the very best in the sector.
Finally, thank you to all our delegates for attending, engaging and exchanging ideas throughout the day. Your participation is what makes #HLINconf26 so special, bringing knowledge, experience and energy that drives change.
While we reflect on last week's discussions, don’t miss a thing! Register for our weekly newsletter to be the first to access the event overview, speaker slides and official photos, here.
Now for round 2! Looking forward to seeing you all again in Bristol on 12 March for the second part of our annual conference! Find out more about this here.