Age Friendly Communities

Hastings Borough Council is inviting applications for a new Intergenerational Grants Programme.

Update October 2026

Following the first funding round of the Intergenerational Grants Programme, we are pleased to announce that grants have been awarded to the following organisations and initiatives. More details on the individual projects will be shared in due course.  

1.    Explore the Arch: Communities Creating Change

A new creative initiative will bring together older residents who are moving from high-rise accommodation with young people during summer 2026 .  

The project will provide an opportunity for residents, some of whom are relocating outside Hastings, to connect with young people aged 18–22 and share experiences across generations.

For residents who are moving to new neighbourhoods, the transition may bring a period of significant change, particularly for those who have lived in the high-rise buildings for many years. The project aims to create opportunities for connection, conversation and creative expression during this period of transition.
Young people will work with residents on a one-to-one basis, using collage and poetry to explore their experiences and perspectives. Through informal, creative sessions, participants will have the opportunity to share stories, reflect on change and build connections in a relaxed and supportive setting.

The artwork created through the project will be displayed from 23 September 2026 and beyond, providing a creative record of a significant period in the history of the town and the communities who have called the high-rise buildings home.

The programme will fund projects that bring people of different generations together, helping to challenge ageism, strengthen community connections and improve wellbeing.

2.    The Wild Kind Collective: 

A pilot intergenerational gardening project will bring together young people from Hollington Youth Group and volunteers from aged 50+ at St Matthew’s Community Gardens in Silverhill.

The project will give participants the opportunity to learn from each other while working together to develop a shared community growing space. Activities will include  rebuilding a raised bed, learning practical skills such as safe tool use, composting, soil preparation, and the importance of growing food sustainably.

In early spring, the group will return to sow seeds in the raised bed and grow additional seedlings in the greenhouse. A final session will provide an opportunity to plant out the young plants, reflect on the project and to celebrate by toasting marshmallows by a campfire with family and friends.

The youth hub has very limited access to green space, making this partnership an opportunity for young people to connect with nature and learn practical gardening skills.

St Matthew's Community Gardens is located close to Hollington Youth Hub and is keen to support local young people by providing access to its gardens and sharing the knowledge and experience of its volunteers. 

This local partnership will bring different generations setting, to encourage opportunities for learning, connection and participation, while helping young people to access nature, learn new skills, and strengthening community connections. 

3.    Stories That Connect:

A three-month intergenerational project comprising six sessions will bring together older and younger people through storytelling, creative activities, gentle movement and shared conversations. 

The project has been developed following conversations with local residents and participants from our wellbeing workshops and community partners, which identified an interest  increasing loneliness, social isolation and limited opportunities for meaningful interaction between generations.

Each session will encourage participants to share life experiences, cultural traditions, memories and practical skills while taking part in creative activities such as collaborative art, poetry, memory books and storytelling. Gentle chair-based movement or walking conversations will be included, providing accessible ways for participants to take part and support physical wellbeing. 

The project will create opportunities for people of different generations to learn from one another, share experiences and develop connections in a welcoming and inclusive way. 

4.    Groundwork South: 

Groundwork South is a project bringing together older residents from local care homes with young children and their families, from toddler groups and early years settings in Hastings for shared, nature-based activities at The Bale House Visitor Centre. 
The project aims to encourage meaningful connections between generations, supporting relationship building, learning, and wellbeing through creative and outdoor activities. Each session will bring together approximately 10-15 older adults and 10-15 children and their parents, supported by staff and volunteers. 

Delivery Plan

Session 1 – Pots of Love
Participants work together to plant flowers or herbs in decorated pots. Older adults can share gardening knowledge and experience, while children take part in planting and decorating.

Session 2 – Curiosity Questions
Facilitated conversation cards will encourage storytelling, memory sharing, and discussion between generations. Simple creative activities support engagement and participation.

Session 3 – Nature Bingo Walk
Mixed-age pairs or small groups will take part in a gentle guided walk around the Bale House grounds, identifying seasonal plants, wildlife, colours, and textures.

Session 4 – Celebration and Nature Crafts
Participants will create nature-inspired artwork together and enjoy refreshments while reflecting on their experiences. 

5.    Art in the Park:

This is a five week-programme of intergenerational creative activities at the Art in the Park community wellbeing hub in Alexandra Park, Hastings.

The project brings together people aged 18-80, including people living with long-term health conditions, experiencing isolation or loneliness, wheelchair users and others facing challenges that can affect mental health and wellbeing.

Each three-hour session combines storytelling and creative activities. Participants share stories around different themes before working together to create illustrations using a variety of art materials. The stories and artwork will be brought together in a final booklet celebrating the group’s creativity and experiences.

Sessions include a shared potluck lunch, using produce from the wheelchair accessible community garden, prepared with the help of the participants. 

Update July 2026

In this first of two funding rounds, grants of up to £500 are available. A second round of funding will open in Autumn 2026. If you are unable to find a partner or want more time to make an application before the first round closing date (31st July, 2026), then there will be a second opportunity in the Autumn.

Further information is available in the Guidance document. Local organisations and community groups can apply using the application form below.

Age Friendly Hastings Intergenerational Grants programme Application Form

If you have any questions about the funding or would like to check if someone is looking to partner with another organisation, please email AgeFriendlyCommunities@hastings.gov.uk.

The deadline for applications is 5pm on Friday 31 July 2026.

Hastings Borough Council’s partners in making the town an Age-friendly Community include the NHS, Adult Social Care, Public Health, Active Hastings and the voluntary sector.

Image courtesy of Hastings Voluntary Action (HVA)

Hastings Voluntary Action

The Age-friendly Hastings programme delivered by HVA with partners supports healthy ageing, reduces loneliness and improves wellbeing for older residents by delivering a range of events and activities including Hastings Ageing Network. Discover more about HVA's age friendly communities work  Upcoming Age-Friendly events - Hastings Voluntary Action

Details of the HVA's events listings, including age friendly events, can be found on their webpage.

Active Hastings

Active Hastings give you easy, fun ways to build movement into your everyday life. Use the search options below to discover classes, groups and activities taking place across Hastings from Active Hastings and a range of local providers.
Discover a range of free and low-cost activities across Hastings, from fitness sessions and walking groups to family activities and inclusive sports – there’s something for all ages and abilities. Visit the Active Hastings page for details. You can also explore activities specifically designed for people living with long-term health conditions or disabilities.

Active Hastings Seated Strength Exercise Class, Downs Farm

Hastings Borough Council has signed the Age-friendly Employer Pledge, a nationwide programme run by the Centre for Ageing Better. This demonstrates our commitment to older workers and to creating a more age-friendly workplace.

This means we are taking action to improve recruitment, retention and development of employees aged 50 and over.

An Age-friendly employer:

• Recognises the importance and value of older workers
• Is committed to improving work for people in their 50s and 60s (and beyond)
• Is prepared to take action to help them flourish in a multigenerational workforce.

The pledge reinforces positive work the council is already doing and provides access to valuable insight and resources from the Centre for Ageing Better. This will help us build on our work by focusing on at least one priority area each year, including:

• Creating an age-friendly culture
• Hiring age-positively
• Being flexible about flexible working
• Encouraging career development at all ages
• Ensuring everyone has the health support they need.

Cllr Solly Solamito, lead councillor for Corporate Services, Communities and Equalities, Hastings Borough Council, said: “We are proud to have signed the Age-friendly Employer Pledge. Older workers bring invaluable experience, skills and stability to our workforce, and this commitment reflects our ambition to lead the way in creating inclusive, age-friendly workplaces that others can follow."

This year, we will focus on ensuring everyone has the health support they need. This will include health checks, movement activities, and raising awareness of areas such as retirement planning, menopause support, mental health and dementia.

Visit the Centre for Ageing Better website for details of other local employers who have signed the pledge.