Surrey Takes Bold Step to Tackle Health Inequalities with Intergenerational Approach

Surrey Health and Wellbeing Board and Integrated Care Partnership Endorse Vision for a Connected, Inclusive Future

Intergenerational Music Making (IMM) and Intergenerational England (IE) are delighted to announce that their proposal to embed a system-wide intergenerational approach across Surrey has been formally received and warmly endorsed by the Combined Health and Wellbeing Board (HWB) and Integrated Care Partnership (ICP) on 18 June 2025.

This milestone moment represents a powerful step forward in rethinking how we deliver health, care and community development across the county placing relationships, connection, and shared purpose at the heart of local strategies.

The proposal – “Embedding an Intergenerational Approach to Address Health Inequalities” – outlines a scalable and evidence-based model designed to address some of Surrey’s most pressing challenges, including chronic loneliness, poor mental health and widening health inequalities. At its core, this is not a new service but a culture shift: a life course approach that strengthens integration, celebrates ageing, and unlocks the full potential of our communities by connecting generations.

Key Recommendations Endorsed by the Board:

· Adopt an intergenerational lens across all place-based strategies, aligned to Surrey’s Health and Wellbeing Strategy and Integrated Care Strategy.

· Co-develop a Surrey-wide Intergenerational Pledge in collaboration with communities and partners.

· Embed intergenerational models into areas such as mental health, prevention, ageing well, early years, housing, and community development.

· Support the development of shared outcomes, evaluation, and sustainable funding frameworks to maximise system impact.

IMM and IE’s model is underpinned by four core pillars:

1. Place-Based Social Support Systems in local hubs

2. A Life Course Approach to health and wellbeing

3. Intersectional Equity for inclusive access

4. Integrated, Cross-Sector Partnerships spanning health, housing, education, and the arts

Tim Oliver OBE, Leader of the Surrey County Council said:

"Today’s proposal presents a clear and compelling vision one that aligns closely with Surrey County Council’s broader strategy of bringing communities together, tackling isolation and supporting people to thrive across the life course. We fully endorse the principle of embedding an intergenerational approach and look forward to working together to explore how this can be meaningfully implemented across the county. It’s a timely and important initiative that speaks to the heart of what we stand for."

Charlotte Miller, Director of Intergenerational Music Making and Co-Founder of Intergenerational England, said:

“This endorsement signals a progressive and ambitious move by Surrey. It recognises that prevention, inclusion and connection are not add-ons they are essential to building healthier, more resilient communities. We are excited to work alongside partners to bring the Intergenerational Pledge to life.”

Emily Abbott, Programme Director at IMM and Co-Founder of IE, added:

“We’re thrilled by the response. This is a system recognising the value of people of every age as assets. Intergenerational thinking offers a powerful, unifying framework for long-term health and community wellbeing.”

The proposal aligns directly with national priorities including the Department of Health and Social Care’s 10-Year Plan, NHS ambitions around integrated, personalised care, and the drive for system-wide preventative solutions.

With a phased 12–18 month implementation plan now in development, IMM and IE will begin working with Surrey’s strategic leaders, VCSE networks, and community stakeholders to co-produce the Surrey Intergenerational Pledge – a unifying framework that embeds this thinking into the very DNA of system transformation.

For media or partnership enquiries, please contact:

Charlotte Miller – charlotte@intergenerationalengland.org

Emily Abbott – emily@intergenerationalengland.org www.intergenerationalengland.org | www.imm-music.com