Overview
The partnership between GBHI and Respond aims to examine our understanding of brain health and how it can be applied to housing design and provision and the development of sustainable communities. These issues, which inherently touch on social justice and equity, are key to both Respond and GBHI’s core mission and identity.
As a not-for-profit housing resource and service provider, Respond Housing Association, an Approved Housing Body, plays a central role in providing homes and supporting communities around Ireland. They also provide a range of services, including family homeless services, day care services for older people, early childhood care and education, family support, and refugee resettlement services.
Project Details
Brain Health Village
Our brain health and risk of dementia are strongly influenced by our social and physical environments. The Brain Health Village (BHV) project, a pioneering initiative led by Respond Housing Association and GBHI at Trinity, integrates brain health principles into housing and community design. This ‘pathfinder’ project aims to develop the evidence base for new community-based approaches to support brain health.
Developed with international expertise, including Atlantic Fellow Macarena Espina Díaz (industrial designer, Chile), the project is based on a model with six key pillars: a life course approach to brain health, stakeholder engagement, equity and security, intergenerational community and creativity, the built and natural environment, and service integration. The BHV is being piloted in Rathcoran, Ireland, where 56 homes support a diverse intergenerational community. This initiative has earned the Chartered Institute of Housing Award for Excellence in Health and Wellbeing in 2024 and offers valuable learning opportunities for Atlantic Fellows.
Beyond its local impact, the BHV has the potential as a global blueprint for brain health and housing. Through GBHI’s network of Atlantic Fellows and collaborators, the project’s insights are expected to influence policy and be adapted for diverse communities worldwide.
Brain Health & Housing Seminar Series
GBHI is also collaborating with Respond to deliver a series of thematic seminars, which will bring together experts in the fields of brain health and housing. This series will be action-oriented, aiming to discuss, generate and disseminate best practice in the field.
Learn more about the Brain Health & Housing Seminar Series:
- Digital Technologies, Housing and Brain Health | Seminar Paper
- Understanding the Past—Trauma and Adverse Childhood Experience | Seminar Paper
- Creativity, Connection, Community | Seminar Paper
- Design for Ageing | Seminar Paper
Brain Health Training
GBHI and Respond have collaborated to develop a brain health training program with the initial tranche running from November 2020 to April 2021. This program aims to create awareness and understanding of the importance of brain health, including how threats to brain health can affect a person’s behavior and interactions, best practices to manage such threats, and guidance to cultivate the brain health of the larger community.
Read more about the training program.
