HLINks Weekly: Housing, Health and Social Care Latest News
HLINks Weekly: Housing, Health and Social Care Latest News
5 October 2026
Last week saw a special HAPPI Hour for International Day of Older People, featuring speakers from across the UK, as well as a new Housing LIN Viewpoint from ADASS President Phil Holmes following plans from the prime minister for a new future for adult social care in England.
This week we turn our eye to technology, and specifically AI, with both the launch of our practice briefing on AI in the sector, and an accompanying HAPPI Hour session. Book your place for the webinar 'Specialist Housing and the impact of Artificial Intelligence' on Thursday 8th October, 4pm - 5:15pm.
Also in this edition:
- New blog from Jeremy Porteus on AI in housing
- Housing LIN at the Global Intergenerational Congress 2026 in Glasgow
- Lessons from Scotland for a UK-wide National Care Service
- Housing LIN Cymru responds to the Design Commission for Wales' Placemaking Charter
- Year Four update and new blogs from the Intersectional Stigma of Place-Based Ageing (ISPA) project
- Recording of our International Day of Older People HAPPI Hour
- Openreach confirms new safeguards as the PSTN switch-off nears
And much more that caught our interest!
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
Housing LIN make intergenerational appearance at the Global Intergenerational Congress 2026
In true intergenerational style, the Housing LIN’s Jeremy Porteus and Lois Beech gave a joint presentation on the recent APPG Inquiry report, ‘Creating Intergenerational Communities’ at this year’s Glasgow conference, hosted by Generations Working Together.
The Congress at the University of Strathclyde Technology and Innovation Centre saw delegates from 18 countries from around the world share latest on intergenerational policy, practice and research from a broad spectrum of themes.
Housing LIN Cymru reflects on Design Commission for Wales Placemaking Charter
The deadline for making reflections on the Design Commission for Wales' Placemaking Charter fell on International Day of Older People. With an ageing population in Wales, the Housing LIN has signed up again as a signatory to the Charter but in its submission urged the Commission to be explicit around age-friendly placemaking.
A UK-wide National Care Service must learn lessons from Scotland
Andy Burnham’s key announcement at the Labour Conference in Liverpool was that plans for an ‘NHS-style’ UK National Care Service are still underway, with Baroness Casey’s Commission tasked with crafting recommendations for care reform for the Prime Minister.
As reported by the BBC, the Prime Minister is keen to get cross-party consensus on the establishment of a National Care Service (NCS). However, are there lessons that can be learnt from Scotland?
Openreach confirms new safeguards as PSTN switch-off nears
With the analogue phone network (PSTN) due to close on 31 January 2027, Openreach has announced new safeguards that housing, care and support providers should be aware of.
Anyone unsure whether they are affected should contact their communications provider as soon as possible.
Resource Roundup
Holmes on Homes. It’s time to act and include housing as a key ingredient of a better future
With the prime minister last week proposing a radical long-term vision for adult social care in England, we were pleased to publish this new Housing LIN Viewpoint (No. 120) from Phil Holmes, ADASS President and Director of Adults, Wellbeing and Culture at Doncaster Council, who makes the case for housing’s vital role in the roadmap for reforming care and support in England.
To hear Phil expand on this Viewpoint and more, tune in to our HAPPI Hour session on 3rd November: From caring places to neighbourhood health – Inspiring a new vision for adult social care. Register your place here.
Celebrating Year Four of the Intersectional Stigma of Place-Based Ageing (ISPA) Project
September marks four years of the Intersectional Stigma of Place-Based Ageing (ISPA) Project. The Year 4 update rounds up the year's achievements, including the completion of a longitudinal diary study involving more than 140 Community Peer Researchers across Scotland, England and Wales.
Two new blogs have been released to accompany the update: Liz Richardson explores how badges, walking sticks and everyday encounters can tackle loneliness, while Dianne Theakstone and Lisa Davison reflect on neighbourhood mapping in South Wales and the barriers to inclusive streets.
Webinar recording: A universal offer: International Day of Older People
Held to mark International Day of Older People, this HAPPI Hour webinar brought together key figures from the four UK nations to explore the theme 'What's on your Doorstep?', and showcase what each is doing in turn to meet the housing needs and aspirations of an ageing population.
Expert Insights
From science fiction to science faction: AI – tomorrow’s world, today
As we prepare to launch our practice briefing on AI in Specialist and Supported Housing at this week's HAPPI Hour, Housing LIN CEO Jeremy Porteus' new blog, "From science fiction to science faction: AI – tomorrow's world, today", reflects on four decades of change since he managed some of the first Smart Housing and Telecare projects at Anchor, and asks whether the sector is any nearer to being 'digi-ready'.
Book now to join us for the HAPPI Hour AI briefing launch event on Thursday 8 October, 4pm-5pm.
What else caught our interest...
- BMJ article: Neighbourhood health in England can learn from successful international models
- Department of Health and Social Care report: Survey of adult carers in England - 2025 to 2026 report
- Disability News Service article: Minister makes ‘feeble’ U-turn after criticism of failure to coproduce government’s Plan for Disability
- JLL report: UK Seniors Housing Report 2026
- Tunstall news: Tunstall Healthcare launches sector-first platform set to redefine independent living
Dates for your diary
HAPPI Hour webinars
- Specialist Housing and the impact of Artificial Intelligence on 8th October 2026, from 4pm - 5pm
- Dementia Across the Four Nations - Showcasing Innovation, Best Practice and Housing Readiness Across the UK on 20th October 2026, from 4pm - 5:15pm
- SHAPE Challenge Fund Launch – the shape of things to come on 27th October 2026, from 4pm - 5:15pm
- From caring places to neighbourhood health – Inspiring a new vision for adult social care on 3rd November 2026, from 4pm - 5:15pm
- Residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans and fire safety – taking responsibility in specialist/supported housing on 10th November 2026, from 4pm - 5pm
- Technology unplugged - Delivering digital solutions on 17th November 2026, from 4pm - 5:15pm
- Housing storeys - Planning for accessibility and adaptations on 1st December 2026, from 4pm - 5pm
- The key to unlocking healthy communities on 8th December 2026, from 4pm - 5pm
- HAPPI Awareness Week showcase event on 15th December 2026, from 4pm - 5:15pm
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.
Other Events Supported by the Housing LIN
Beyond Age: Rethinking Later Life
by Housing 21
14th October 2026, from 10am - 4pm
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