All-Ireland Housing Awards winner 2024

Excellence in health and wellbeing

Partner organisation: Global Brain Health Institute

The Brain Health Village is one part of a wider partnership between Respond and the Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI) which aims to examine our understanding of brain health and how it can be applied to housing design and to the provision and the development of sustainable communities.

The Brain Health Village, currently in its pilot phase, is based at ‘Rathcoran’, a Respond development in Baltinglass (Wicklow). The development features 56 homes located next to a primary health care centre and accommodates individuals, families of all ages, and refugees from Iraq and Syria as part of the Refugee Resettlement Programme.

This initial phase of the project aims to: introduce the ‘brain health’ concept to tenants, staff and the wider community at Rathcoran; create a framework for the key components of a brain health friendly community to be applied; and identify both short and medium term initiatives and areas of focus.

The Brain Health Village is a “proof of concept” project which aims to show that by providing high quality housing, and practicing excellent community development (promoting creativity, health and social connectedness) that there are long term benefits for brain health.

Innovative partnership for holistic development

The collaboration between Respond and GBHI is a unique blend of expertise in housing, community services, and brain health. This partnership is driven by a shared vision to redefine the concept of housing and community development through the lens of brain health. The Brain Health Village is not just a housing project; it's a holistic approach to creating environments that nurture the physical, emotional, social, and cognitive well-being of individuals.

Understanding the context of brain health

At the core of this initiative is the understanding that brain health transcends the mere absence of disease. It is intimately connected to our living conditions, including the quality of our housing. Traditional housing models often overlook this critical aspect. Respond, through this partnership, is addressing this gap by integrating brain health considerations into the design and development of sustainable communities.

The Brain Health Village framework

The Brain Health Village project is underpinned by a robust framework, developed with international expertise across various domains. This framework is a conceptual model that guides the development of brain health informed communities. It is founded on principles of co-creation, ensuring that the solutions are tailored to the specific needs and contexts of local communities. The pillars of the framework are:

• Life course approach: This pillar emphasises building awareness and understanding of brain health among community members and policymakers. It focuses on collective actions to promote brain health and reduce stigma.
• Stakeholder engagement: Recognising the community as part of a broader network, this aspect involves navigating political and policy landscapes to secure resources and support for brain health initiatives.
• Equity and security values: This pillar aims to create equitable, safe and inclusive communities. It emphasises the importance of personal identity, social inclusion and the balance between stability and change.
• Intergenerational community and creativity: Fostering a community that values contributions from all ages and encourages creativity and arts as tools for wellbeing and community building.
• Built and natural environment: Applying universal design principles to create sustainable, accessible, and pleasant spaces. This includes integrating natural and digital elements to promote social interaction and reduce stress.
• Service availability and integration: Ensuring access to a range of services and resources, including leisure, cultural, educational, and healthcare services, and integrating these into the community fabric.

The Brain Health Village project has achieved significant milestones in its pilot phase, demonstrating the profound impact of integrating brain health into housing and community development. The project's success is evident in the enthusiastic response from tenants who participated in workshops led by brain health experts:

• 92 per cent reported an enhanced understanding of brain health
• 100 per cent agreed that brain health should be a priority for social landlords
• 92 per cent committed to making positive changes in their and their families' lives.

This initiative goes beyond local implications, offering a globally relevant, values based framework for addressing the challenges of housing and sustainable community development. Its person centred, equity focused approach, grounded in social justice principles, aligns seamlessly with key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically targeting health and wellbeing, reduced inequalities, and sustainable cities and communities (SDGs #3, 10, 11).

The Brain Health Village model is not just a local solution but a potential blueprint for global application, influencing policy at various levels. It advocates for a comprehensive approach to brain health and housing, emphasising the importance of these factors in individual and community wellbeing at local, regional, and national scales.