HLINks Weekly: Housing, Health and Social Care Latest News

News Highlights

Housing LIN celebrates Occupational Therapy Week 2026: Participation Changes Everything

Last week was Occupational Therapy Week, and this year’s RCOT campaign theme, ‘Participation Changes Everything’, highlights the vital role occupational therapists play in helping people overcome barriers and participate in the everyday activities, relationships and communities that matter most to them.

To mark the event, we were delighted to share a selection of resources and insights that demonstrate the contribution of occupational therapy to better housing outcomes.

• Read the full story

Resource Roundup

Beyond the Care Home: What Japan can teach us about intergenerational approaches to later living

In this new Housing LIN Case Study, Siri Zanelli, Founding Partner at Collective Works, reflects on a recent research trip to three care settings in Japan - from a care home with a street-facing sweet shop to a day-care hub beside a bamboo forest and a community centre built into a town square - and asks how UK housing and care buildings could open up to the communities around them, creating more connected, healthier places for everyone in the community.

• Read this Case Study

Breathing new life into community spaces - Going local with local social

In this Inspirational Achievement, Sovereign Network Group (SNG) shows what can happen when a housing provider backs local enterprises and lets community energy lead. The story explores how a forgotten community hall on a sheltered housing scheme in Ware, Hertfordshire, is being brought back to life as a hub for connection, with the help of local partners.

• Read the full feature

Webinar recording now available: From caring places to neighbourhood health

Last week’s HAPPI Hour was titled 'From caring places to neighbourhood health', and supported by Winckworth Sherwood Law. Our panel explored how housing, adult social care and place intersect in a healthy neighbourhood, with President of ADASS Phil Holmes on starting in the right place, Dr Elisa Pozo Menéndez on a participatory urban strategy for Madrid, and Bernadette Elder of Inspiring Housing CLT on community-led housing in Salford.

If you were unable to join us live, you can now watch the webinar recording and view the presentations from the event.

• Watch the recording + download slides

Expert Insights

From Managing Crisis to Investing in People: Rethinking How We Help People Live Well

Following her appearance at our HAPPI Hour webinar last week, Bernadette Elder, Executive Director at Inspiring Housing CLT, shares learning from the Reimagining Living Spaces work in Salford. In her Housing LIN guest blog she draws on conversations with residents, communities and partners.

• Read Bernadette's blog

We need a long-term vision on accessible homes, not more costly short-sightedness

To coincide with Occupational Therapy Week 2026, we were pleased to publish a guest blog by disability activist Martha Hall. Drawing on her own experience of waiting years for a suitable home, Martha highlights the personal and financial cost of poor housing, and the invaluable role Occupational Therapy played in helping her reach a home that meets her needs.

• Read Martha's blog

What else caught our interest...

• Building Design article: Why small sites hold the key to specialist housing and inclusive communities
• Community Foundation Ireland report: The 100 Year Lives Project - Longer, Better Lives For All
• Department of Health and Social Care report: Chief Medical Officer's annual report 2026: health in rural areas and small towns
• Journal of Public Health article: Exploring perspectives on the state of local healthy planning in England: results from a national survey
• Power to Prosper report: Building Community Assets and Power
• Public Finance magazine article: Your Last Home would do more than Your First Home
• Sage Journal abstract: Towards inclusive age-friendly communities: A scoping review of diversity and representation in global initiatives
• The MJ articles: Community insight must shape the next phase of neighbourhood health and Patient community funding builds long-term resilience
• Tunstall Healthcare insights: Digital upgrades that work for your residents and your schemes

Dates for your diary

HAPPI Hour webinars

• 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
• NEWLY ADDED: Housing LIN Cymru: Village life building community bonds – Repurposing sheltered housing on 24th November 2026, from 4pm - 5pm
• Housing storeys - Planning for accessibility and adaptations on 1st 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.

• Explore the full schedule

Other Events Supported by the Housing LIN

Navigating the Winter Surge: Workforce Readiness in Telecare Monitoring
by Appello
18th November 2026, from 2pm - 3pm

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