{"id":1593,"date":"2026-01-12T08:07:25","date_gmt":"2026-01-12T08:07:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/publicengagement\/?p=1593"},"modified":"2026-02-09T12:15:30","modified_gmt":"2026-02-09T12:15:30","slug":"celebrating-the-success-of-the-research-assembly-building-age-friendly-futures-together","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/publicengagement\/2026\/01\/12\/celebrating-the-success-of-the-research-assembly-building-age-friendly-futures-together\/","title":{"rendered":"Celebrating the Success of the Research Assembly: Building Age-Friendly Futures Together"},"content":{"rendered":"

As part of the Festival of Social Science<\/strong>, the University of Bath\u2019s Public Engagement Unit hosted a vibrant Research Assembly<\/strong> at Percy Community Centre on 22 October 2025. This event brought together researchers, local organisations, and Bath & North East Somerset (B&NES) Council to explore one of the most pressing challenges of our time: how we can create age-friendly cities and communities<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Attendees
Networking at the Research Assembly. Percy community centre 22 Oct 2025<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Why Age-Friendly Cities?<\/h4>\n

Originating from a WHO framework and EU directives, the concept of age-friendly cities addresses the realities of an ageing population. Living well and thriving as we age is a vital question for local authorities and communities. It touches every aspect of life, from transport, housing, and social participation to outdoor spaces, respect and inclusion, civic engagement, and communication. For B&NES, these priorities run through all their strategic themes, reflecting a growing community and need in the region.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Age-friendly communities thrive when research, policy, and local voices come together. By working in partnership, we can turn shared knowledge into practical solutions that help everyone age well with dignity and purpose. The Research Assembly brought together many of the key healthy ageing partners in B&NES. Our next steps are to turn these conversations into action\u2014for example, strengthening partnerships, embedding age-friendly principles into the local plans and strategies, and co-designing solutions with our communities.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Claire Mock-Mu\u00f1oz de Luna.\u00a0<\/span><\/b>Public Health & Prevention. Bath &\u00a0North East\u00a0Somerset Council<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

 <\/p>\n

A Marketplace of Ideas<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Research Assembly adopted a\u00a0<\/span>market hall-style format<\/span><\/b>, with stalls\u00a0showcasing\u00a0research and community initiatives. Attendees\u00a0could\u00a0network, discover connections, and spark collaborations. Highlights included:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  • Healthy Later Living Network<\/span><\/b>\u00a0\u2013 interdisciplinary research on healthy ageing.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
      \n
    • Participate Network<\/span><\/b>\u00a0\u2013 patient and public involvement in health and social care research.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
        \n
      • Transport and Dementia<\/span><\/b>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0exploring\u00a0public transport as a \u201cthird space\u201d for age-friendly communities.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
          \n
        • Older People\u2019s Voice Group<\/span><\/b>\u00a0\u2013 amplifying the views of residents aged 55+.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
            \n
          • Dorothy House & Centre for Death and Society<\/span><\/b>\u00a0\u2013 advancing palliative and end-of-life care research.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
              \n
            • ReMind\u00a0UK<\/span><\/b>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0dementia\u00a0research and support.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                \n
              • Brunel Centre<\/span><\/b>\u00a0\u2013 exploring sustainable\u00a0economic growth in the region<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                  \n
                • Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation<\/span><\/b>\u00a0\u2013 discussing the options for pre-clinical,\u00a0clincial\u00a0and collaborative, community\u00a0centered\u00a0health research<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                    \n
                  • Exercise and rehabilitation\u00a0centre<\/span><\/b>\u00a0\u2013 discussing the role of exercise in living and\u00a0aging well.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                      \n
                    • Bath and\u00a0North East\u00a0Somerset Council<\/span><\/b>\u00a0- local holistic approaches to promote mobility, independence, social participation, and wellbeing through initiatives such as The Active Way, as well as addressing more complex needs through commissioning of Adult Social Care services.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                      Our research and community partners found the structure\u00a0hugely\u00a0beneficial,\u00a0especially for\u00a0creating a space that\u00a0broke\u00a0down silos and\u00a0helped\u00a0form a growing\u00a0ecosystem for ageing well. As Laura Steen, Community Connector at the Public Engagement Unit, put it:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

                      \u00a0<\/span>\u201cThere was a real buzz in the air. It was invaluable to see\u00a0what\u2019s\u00a0happening across the wider Ageing Well space and to position projects within a broader ecosystem. We\u00a0witnessed\u00a0connections being made, contact details exchanged, and plenty of inspiring conversations.\u201d<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

                      Training for Impact<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

                      Alongside the Assembly, we ran the\u00a0<\/span>Research, Policy and Practice Masterclass<\/span><\/b>, a collaborative workshop with B&NES and the University of Bath. Participants gained insights into policymaking processes, upcoming engagement opportunities, and strategies for communicating research to influence policy.<\/span><\/p>\n

                      \"A
                      FOSS Research Assembly Masterclass. Percy Community Centre 22 Oct 2025<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

                       <\/p>\n

                      Why It Matters\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

                      This event exemplifies the power of collaboration between academia, local government, and community\u00a0organisations. It aligns with our commitment under the\u00a0ESRC Impact Acceleration Account\u00a0to\u00a0showcase\u00a0leading social science research and foster partnerships that make a real difference.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

                      \"Three
                      Workshopping at the FOSS Research Assembly. Percy community centre 22 Oct 2025<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n


                      \nThank You<\/i>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

                      We are deeply thankful to all our collaborators and everyone who attended\u00a0for sharing\u00a0and\u00a0responding\u00a0with generosity. Special thanks to the\u00a0<\/span>Percy Community Centre<\/span><\/b>, whose work and contribution to creating social cohesion\u00a0is\u00a0always inspiring. We are excited to see where these conversations and sparks of ideas lead in the coming months and years.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

                      Want\u00a0to continue the conversation?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

                        \n
                      • If\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0interested in the\u00a0<\/span>research elements<\/span><\/b>, please contact\u00a0<\/span>Emily Richards<\/span><\/b>\u00a0at the University of Bath.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                          \n
                        • If\u00a0you\u2019d\u00a0like to learn more about\u00a0<\/span>local policy and initiatives<\/span><\/b>, reach out to\u00a0<\/span>Bath &\u00a0North East\u00a0Somerset Council<\/span><\/b>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\n

                          \"Two
                          FOSS Research Assembly. Percy Community Centre 22 Oct 2025<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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