Living Labs – a brave new world of customer driven extra care housing

In recent months, the Housing Learning & Improvement Network (LIN) has published a selection of Viewpoints and Case Studies to stimulate discussion around citizenship, consumerism, choice and control. LIN have sought to raise the profile of these concepts within the sector and improve the quality of extra care housing. These learning and improvement resources have sought to challenge the way we plan, design and deliver specialist accommodation for older people.

In recent months, the Housing Learning & Improvement Network (LIN) has published a selection of Viewpoints and Case Studies to stimulate discussion around citizenship, consumerism, choice and control. LIN have sought to raise the profile of these concepts within the sector and improve the quality of extra care housing. These learning and improvement resources have sought to challenge the way we plan, design and deliver specialist accommodation for older people.

“Following a visit to Liege, Belgium, earlier this year to address an age-friendly community event in support of their Expo 2017 bid, Jeremy Porteus, Director of the Housing Learning and Improvement Network, was struck by the level of intensive civic engagement taking place and the approaches sought to co-create a place changing and lasting age-friendly community. The term ‘Living Lab’ was widely used and Jeremy has since given thought on its relevance to extra care housing.

 
 
Published on 3rd September, this Housing LIN Viewpoint gives a personal view on the need for improvements in the way commissioners and providers of extra care housing involve and engage with existing and prospective residents. It suggests that ‘Living Labs’ offer co-created solutions that can meet residents’ needs and aspirations, help co-design and co-produce related services and products, fuel innovation that translates into resident benefits, save money through reducing dependency, and motivate organisational change by building a closer relationship with residents.”

 
This document is available at here drawing from examples from the ENoLL community and individual ENoLL members such as Casala Living Lab (Ireland). 

Contact info: 
Housing LIN 
C/o EAC
3rd Floor, 89 Albert Embankment 
London 
SE1 7TP 
 
email: [email protected]  
tel: 020 7820 8077 
website: www.housinglin.org.uk