Intergenerational work at its best - building bridges, breaking down barriers, and creating a sense of belonging for everyone involved.

The High Sheriff – Shahid Azeem DL, joined Lord Kamall of Edmonton, (The Shadow Minister of Health and Social Care, House of Lords, and Trustee of Intergenerational England), on a visit to Guildford’s United Reformed Church, where they took part in an event to bridge generational divides through innovative activities.

The program was organised by ‘The Guildford Hub’ and ‘Intergenerational Music Making’ (IMM) who are a pioneering national charitable organisation to being people of all ages together through music and creativity, addressing loneliness and isolation while enhancing physical, emotional, and mental well-being.

The “Intergenerational Guildford Hub,” a collaborative programme between Intergenerational Music Making (IMM) www.imm-music.com and the Guildford United Reformed Church, brings people of all ages together through music and creativity. The hub is an initiative created and facilitated by IMM, a pioneering national charity, focuses on reducing loneliness and isolation while enhancing physical, emotional, and mental well-being.

With over a decade of experience, IMM has impacted the lives of more than 78,000 participants across the UK. Its work has earned recognition at the highest level, including the Prime Minister’s Community Champion Award. IMM’s vision is to foster a society where meaningful intergenerational connections are fundamental to thriving, inclusive communities.

The Guildford Hub: Connecting Communities Through Music, was established in 2019, and has been at the heart of IMM’s efforts to bring people of all ages together through music. Initially hosted at The Electric Theatre, the hub has since found its home at Guildford United Reformed Church, where it continues to grow as a vital space for community connection. Each session is a dynamic celebration of intergenerational collaboration, with participants ranging from individuals living with dementia, those experiencing social isolation and loneliness, and members of the local church community, to children from early-years nurseries, local school groups, and organisations like HALOW.

These vibrant gatherings create a safe and joyful space for shared storytelling, singing, improvisation, and creative exploration. By fostering connections across generations, the Guildford Hub strengthens mental health, builds community, and highlights the power of collective creative expression to transform lives.

Charlotte Miller, Director of IMM, reflected on the impact of the Guildford Hub:

“The Guildford Hub is a shining example of what happens when we prioritise connection and creativity in our communities. Week after week, we see lives transformed, loneliness eased, confidence built, and friendships formed—all through the power of music. It’s a reminder of how vital these spaces are in building healthier, more connected communities.”

Celebrating Leadership and Intergenerational Connection. The Guildford Hub embodies the ethos of IMM and Intergenerational England www.intergenerationalengland.org, a national organisation co-founded by Charlotte Miller and Emily Abbott champions an “Intergenerational Approach” that leverages connections between generations to address societal challenges, from loneliness and economic disparity to age segregation. As a proud partner of IE, the Guildford Hub showcases the practical ways intergenerational initiatives can transform communities, reduce health inequalities, and promote creative health.

Lord Syed Kamall shared his thoughts on the session:

“It was truly inspiring to see how the Guildford Hub brings generations together through music and connectivity in such a meaningful and impactful way. This is intergenerational work at its best building bridges, breaking down barriers, and creating a sense of belonging for everyone involved. My thanks to IMM and its incredible team for leading this transformative work.”

The High Sheriff – Shahid Azeem DL. Joined Lord Kamall in his praise of the event and added that he had thoroughly enjoyed attending:

“There were some lovely moments as the energy and enthusiasm of the young children in the room lit up the faces of the many older retired people, themselves clapping and singing along as were several participants who had other challenges – a great example of organisations, including a local school and members of the church, all working together to make a warm happy and very inclusive occasion”.

And finally, a mention of the Christmas Tree Festival that also took place at the United Reformed Church – A concept first held in 2015, to provide an opportunity to bring together the 35 community groups which meet regularly in the church building ranging from the Little GURKINS Toddler Group to the Sunflower Café Dementia Support Group, through yoga, Pilates and several choirs, to a dozen 12-Steps “Anonymous” groups catering for addictions including alcohol, narcotics, and gambling. Our guiding principle here is to extend a warm and unconditional welcome to all in a progressive safe environment. This includes hosting Guildford Muslim Society’s thriving Friday Prayers. Many of these groups have contributed the trees, with cleverly themed decorations. The result was a very Christmassy indoor forest which attracted visitors and raised funds for two charities that the church support, Street Angels and Cherry Trees.

It is incredible what can be achieved when the community comes together in such a positive and creative way.