Thrive Together toolkit: from loneliness to social connection. 

From a toolkit by Ashoka New Longevity and the Grandmothers Collective

According to a recent WHO report, social isolation and loneliness have serious impacts on mortality, physical health, and mental health, affecting entire communities. On the contrary, when people of all generations contribute meaningfully to one another, everyone thrives. The Thrive Together guide offers hands-on tools to foster intergenerational social connections in your community, school, or workplace.

For the first time in history, there are more people aged 65 and older than there are below five. Every country is seeing a growth in the numbers and proportion of older people and by the middle of the 21st Century, a 100-year life may be the norm.

This demographic shift is a megatrend that is reshaping the future of how we live, work, learn, and connect with each other. Despite being more connected than ever through digital platforms, loneliness and social isolation have become a public health emergency.

Healthy aging involves; Getting a Good Sleep, Handling Stress Well, Interacting with Friends, Exercising Daily, Learning New Things, Eating a Healthy Diet and Intergenerational Connection. 

Focusing on the last of these, better relationships between young and old include exchanging knowledge, sharing perspectives, and collaborating to solve problems. Everyone can be involved in creating a world where intergenerational connection and changemaking is the norm - and the thoughts, perspectives, and actions of individuals across the lifespan are valued.

How can societies transition from being age-segregated to becoming places where diverse age groups are deeply connected and collaborate? This is the foundation of the Ashoka guide, offering a roadmap inspired by the wisdom of visionary leaders who are helping transform how we interact across generations.

Through insightful anecdotes, research driven principles, and practical tools, this guide invites individuals, groups, and organizations to reimagine community dynamics, educational systems, workplaces, and public spaces. The guide looks at successful initiatives from around the globe and equips us with the tools to facilitate the exchange of ideas between grandparents and grandchildren, foster mutual relationships that bridge experience gaps, and develop innovative solutions that tackle the challenges faced by both young and old.

Through Ashoka's research, four distinct design patterns emerged about the creative strategies employed by social innovators to encourage Intergenerational connection:

1. Finding. The first step towards intergenerational collaboration is about discovering kindred spirits. It’s a process of seeking out connections beyond the confines of age and recognizing the shared values and aspirations that bind us as individuals eager to learn, grow, and contribute throughout life.
2. Engaging. Central to intergenerational collaboration is the act of working hand in hand, pooling the collective strengths of different age groups. Engagement and collaboration aren’t just about tasks; they are about ideas, talents, and perspectives that harmonize to create something greater than the sum of its parts. From mentorship to mutual aid, individuals of all ages contribute their unique strengths to help one another. This isn’t solely about addressing specific needs, but also about fostering a culture of care and empathy.
3. Building. Moving beyond chance encounters, this step involves deliberate efforts to create cohesive communities that thrive with age diversity. By intentionally fostering relationships and creating spaces where generational boundaries fade, we lay the groundwork for a rich exchange of experiences, insights, and skills.
4. Evoking. Our societal narratives often perpetuate stereotypes and misconceptions about generational dynamics. In this final step, Ashoka share tools that challenge those stories, replacing them with narratives that celebrate the interwoven threads of experience, innovation, and wisdom. By doing so, we can reshape the way society perceives and engages with intergenerational relationships. Passing on the lessons learned, the connections made, and the stories rewritten ensures that the cycle of collaboration continues, enriching lives for generations to come

Download the toolkit from here.