HLINks Weekly: Housing, Health, and Social Care Latest News
HLINks Weekly: Housing, Health, and Social Care Latest News
11 May 2026
Mental Health Awareness Week 2026 highlights the importance of good mental wellbeing at every stage of life, including in later years. This year’s theme, Action, recognises that while awareness is vital, real change comes when we take action too.
Together, we have come a long way on mental health, but there is still much we can do to prevent people from becoming unwell in the first place. Safe, accessible and well-designed housing plays a vital role in supporting older people’s mental health by reducing isolation, promoting independence and encouraging social connection.
To mark the week, we are hosting a webinar, Strengthening mental wellbeing through housing for an ageing population in Wales, and showcasing resources from our Mental Health and Housing webpages.
Also in today's newsletter:
- Webinar recording: My Home, My Life: Housing, Culture and Wellbeing in Later Life — insights from the Amar Bari Amar Jibon research
- New Housing LIN guest blog by Professor Julienne Meyer and Rachael Shimmin on England’s ageing population and the urgent need to rethink housing provision
- Applications open for the 2026/27 Future Leaders Programme: 25th May deadline
- Two new HAPPI Hour webinars join our Spring/Summer series: Pride in Place (02/06) and Housing LIN Scotland Presents (14/07)
- Plus more on extra care housing, specialist and social housing design, digital telecare, intergenerational communities, and planning and housing policy for older and disabled people.
Thank you for joining us each week and being part of our learning community.
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Best wishes, The Housing LIN Team |
News Highlights
HAPPI Hour webinar: Strengthening mental wellbeing through housing for an ageing population in Wales
Join Housing LIN Cymru tomorrow (12/05/2026) for a timely webinar exploring the vital connection between housing and mental health, held as part of Mental Health Awareness Week 2026.
Drawing on research, policy and practice from across Wales, speakers will discuss how housing, community connections and support services can improve wellbeing as people age, including:
- The future of mental health services in Wales, including an Open Access Mental Health Support model
- Preventative, “people first” approaches that help individuals sustain tenancies and live independently during periods of crisis or ill health
- Best practice from community-based mental health and wellbeing services, including tackling loneliness, anxiety and housing-related challenges
- How AI and improved cross-sector collaboration could strengthen housing, health and mental health referral pathways
The session will be chaired by Joanne Kirrane, Chair of the Housing LIN Cymru Steering Group, with keynote speaker Dr Chris O’Connor, Clinical Lead for the Strategic Programme for Mental Health at NHS Wales Executive, alongside expert speakers from housing, health and policy.
Now Open: Applications for the 2026/27 Future Leaders Programme
We’re excited to launch the sixth intake of the Future Leaders Programme, sponsored by Sovereign Network Group.
It’s designed for early-career professionals (up to three years’ experience in housing and related sectors) to support their leadership development.
Applications close Monday, 25 May 2026.
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Resource Roundup
My Home, My Life: Housing, culture and wellbeing in later life — Insights from the Amar Bari Amar Jibon research
This HAPPI Hour celebrated the launch of the Amar Bari, Amar Jibon (My Home, My Life) report, a landmark study on the housing experiences, cultural values and aspirations of older Bangladeshi adults in East London.
The webinar shared key findings from the Vivensa Foundation-funded project, exploring how housing and living arrangements affect health and quality of life in later years, and what this means for culturally sensitive housing policy and practice.
Expert Insights
Silent Crisis Unfolding in Plain Sight
In this new Housing LIN guest blog by Professor Julienne Meyer PhD CBE, Chair, Older People’s Housing Taskforce (2023-2024) and Rachael Shimmin, Chief Executive, Anchor, share insights on England’s rapidly ageing population and the urgent need to transform housing provision.
What else caught our interest...
- Farrell Centre Newcastle University Webinar (14/05/26): Homes for Life: Designing Accessible Homes and Neighbourhoods
- Housing Options Scotland: Research examines how RSLs are meeting housing needs of autistic children
- Inside Housing: How can we deliver the family-sized and accessible social homes London needs
- insidermedia: Detailed planning lodged for extra care homes scheme in south Bristol
- Places for People: Extra Care developments - Lavender View in Hunstanton and Meadowcroft Lodge in Guildford
- Scottish Housing News: Sharon Hannah: Digital Telecare Migration - what a journey (and what we learned along the way)
- Town and Country Planning Association: Fiona Howie: final reflections
- Fiona Howie, Chief Executive of the TSA, was a panel member on the recent APPG on Housing and Care for Older People Inquiry chaired by Lord Best on ‘Creating Intergenerational Communities’.
- WWA: Bulmer House
Dates for Your Diary
HAPPI Hour webinars
We are pleased to share our Spring/Summer HAPPI Hour webinar series!
- Strengthening mental wellbeing through housing for an ageing population in Wales on 12th May, 4pm - 5pm
- Housing: Still Rising to the Dementia Challenge – Dementia Friendly Fun on 19th May, 4pm - 5:15pm
- Designing for Everyone: Global Accessibility & Inclusive Design in Practice on 28th May, 4pm - 5pm
- JUST ADDED! Pride in Place: Celebrating inclusive housing & LGBTQ+ community initiatives on 2nd June, 4pm - 5pm
- SHAPE Exchange: Designing homes and communities that reduce isolation and build connection on 9th June, 4pm - 5pm
- Showcasing community-led housing projects – designing with community in mind on 30th June, 4pm - 5pm
- Technology-enabled, co-designed housing for better later living on 7th July, 4pm - 5pm
- JUST ADDED: Housing LIN Scotland – A manifesto for older people’s housing on 14th July, 4pm - 5pm
While free to attend for Housing LIN members, spaces are limited. Reserve your place today and join us for inspiring conversations, fresh insights and engaging ideas.
Events supported by the Housing LIN
- UK Cohousing Network: Living in Cohousing: Is It for Me? – Evening Online Cohort Course, 27 May, from 7pm - 8:30pm
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