IntergenerationAll is a programme of pilot projects – 11 in the UK and 7 in Portugal – testing a range of intergenerational models in a variety of settings. The programme, which has also been developed under the Foundation’s Fulfilling Potential theme, is an interesting example of a multiparty initiative bringing together a broad range of partners with different assets and attributes. The partnership involves 3 core partners, alongside the pilot projects: Thinkpublic who provide one-on-one support on co-design methods, the Beth Johnson Foundation (BJF) providing expert advice on intergenerational practice (IP) and the Oxford Institute of Population Ageing (OIA) who are evaluating the programme as a whole. Our involvement with the OIA began in 2009 when they carried out a scoping exercise to assess the range of existing IP schemes and their relative value. The findings helped us form the basis of a call for applications for IP projects. OIA continue to work with us on evaluating the impact of the resulting programme.

We felt we could add more beyond financial support to the projects and so began discussions with Thinkpublic – a UK-based service design agency – whom we had encountered in a previous design project with the RSA. Thinkpublic helped us to design a brand and communications for the programme and built a new call process for a second call for applications. Their principal role has been to provide tailored support to project coordinators in co-design, prototyping and entrepreneurial methods. BJF has provided expert advice on the development of the programme through their staff, and in consultation with an Advisory Group which we both now share.

Throughout this 2 year programme, we have kept in touch with each project, providing guidance and support where helpful. We have done so both independently, and through working closely with Thinkpublic, BJF and OIA to use the learning gained to shape and strengthen each project, creating maximum impact for the programme. Ella Britton, design project lead at Thinkpublic, commented that “Thanks to the Foundation's readiness to embrace innovation, we have been able to design a funding process that welcomes nascent ideas with the potential to grow, and which nurtures people to enable them to maximize the impact of their project.  We are passionate about supporting the social sector, community organisations and social entrepreneurs to work closely with communities in the design, creation, and delivery of new ventures, designing with people, not just for them.  It has been a fantastic experience to work with an organisation that shares this vision.”