GCHU: Do neighbourhoods support us to thrive, or leave us lonely?

The Global Centre on Healthcare and Urbanisation Public Seminar series brings together members of the public, researchers and practitioners interested and engaged in urban health issues. The principal aim of the series is to provoke debate and constructive action, linking current best practice in urban development with emerging areas of health research.

How does the design of our neighbourhoods affect how connected, healthy, and supported we feel? This public seminar explores how streets, transport, public spaces, and local meeting places can either bring people together or leave us feeling isolated. According to Age UK, in England, more than two million people over 75 live alone, and 1.4 million older adults experience chronic loneliness. While many studies focus on older people, younger and middle-aged individuals are also affected – the latest Community Life Survey from 2023/2024 shows that approximately 7% of adults often feel lonely.

As loneliness is now recognised as major public health challenge, this seminar asks how better urban design and planning could help to ensure that we remain socially connected in our neighbourhoods as we age. By listening to lived realities and embedding them into planning and policy, can we create fairer, more inclusive, and better-connected communities for everyone?

The event will be chaired by GCHU Research Fellow Dr Hannah Grove.

This in-person event is free and open to all. Refreshments will be served from 17:00.

The seminar will begin at 17:30, followed by a drinks reception at 18:30.

Please note that we will be recording this event and a link to view it will be available on the GCHU website at a later date.

There will also be a photographer taking photos at the event.

If you unable to attend after booking, please email events@kellogg.ox.ac.uk

Open to: Oxford University members, the public,