A Divided Kingdom – steps towards intergenerational solidarity

Drawn to the section on education and youth (I’d just come out of a Messy Momentum project planning meeting and was busy pondering how we engage young people in Messy Church), the report refers to The Children’s Society’s Good Childhood Report (2022), noting that children in the UK are the least happy in Europe. 45% of 10–15-year-olds report feeling lonely some or all the time, with many struggling to find meaningful connection either at home or in school. This growing sense of isolation is compounded by structural challenges – such as exam pressure, digital overwhelm, and a cost-of-living crisis that hits younger generations hardest in areas like housing, transport, and access to opportunity.

If this is not heart-breaking enough, the report suggests that loneliness is not just about peer social networks – it is increasingly a generational issue. As society becomes more age-segregated, many children grow up without meaningful relationships with older adults beyond their immediate family. This lack of intergenerational contact limits empathy, hinders emotional development, and reduces opportunities for mutual learning.

Littered with examples of grassroots initiatives, the authors demonstrate how intergenerational thinking can be woven into every part of society – health, housing, education, and employment. The report provides clear evidence that intergenerational approaches lead to improved health outcomes, stronger communities, and more inclusive, resilient systems and sets out a bold vision for an intergenerational future.

Hallelujah!

As Martyn’s email stated this is, ‘Nothing we probably don’t already know’, as Messy Church has always had the core value of being for all ages. However, it’s heartening that others in the secular world now recognise the importance of shared experiences across the generations and how enriching it is when we learn from each other.