Our History
1983
Age Exchange, the charity, was founded in Blackheath. Recognising that people living with dementia have much to contribute to society, our founders made history by establishing Europe’s first organisation dedicated to reminiscence and intergenerational arts.
1983-1987
Thanks to funding partners, Age Exchange applied its successful reminiscence practice into dementia projects, training programmes and research initiatives. This foundational work provides the origins for social prescribing and arts-based care interventions.
Ambitious, high-impact arts programmes followed both in the UK and across Europe. Thanks to funding partners, Age Exchange relocated our successful reminiscence practice into dementia projects, community outreach, youth theatre and expanded our schools programme.
1987
The ‘Reminiscence Centre’ opened in Blackheath, inaugurated by our then patron, Glenda Jackson. In 1995, the Bakehouse Theatre was upgraded into an internationally renowned reminiscence arts and training centre. These developments formed the origins of our cultural and community hub, which now welcomes 180,000 visitors per year, and provides a unique base for a range of vital care and support services.
1988-2003
Age Exchange’s local and international impact continues with a range of theatre productions and projects running in London, Brussels, Salzburg, Cologne and Lille. It co-organises an International Festival of Older People’s Theatre in Cologne.
Local projects include the Lewisham Millennium Project and artistic, intergenerational and health-based activities including an exhibition, school workshops and a book.
2001
Friends of Age Exchange is launched.
2004
Age Exchange receives the Queens Award For Voluntary Service – the highest award given to UK volunteer groups. This is equivalent to an organisational MBE.
2005-2011
Age Exchange’s delivery of impactful projects commissioned by leading organisations continues, including “To Care For” – an exploration of family, community and institutionalised care in London before and after the NHS, culminating in a play performed by an intergenerational cast – and the launch of a long-standing partnership with the Merchant Taylors’ Livery Company, beginning with a funded programme supporting residents at Lee and Christopher Boones’ Court in Lewisham.
2012-2015
Age Exchange piloted its support methodology, RADIQL, in Residential Care settings. Our work is grounded in this evidence-led and academically validated model. Independently evaluated by Royal Holloway University of London, RADIQL combines several artistic methods to provide the most person-centred approach to connect with individuals and promote their creative expression.
2018
Age Exchange became the only arts charity embedded within a social care provider, joining Community Integrated Care as a subsidiary.
Through this partnership, we bring creativity and social connection to people with learning disabilities, autism, mental health concerns, brain injuries, and dementia. Our work spans from the Highlands of Scotland to the South Coast of England, delivering innovative projects and creative experiences. We also develop training, resources and strategies for leading brands and organisations, unlocking hidden potential across society.
2020-2022
Age Exchange delivers a vital response the Covid-19 pandemic, delivering innovative programmes that supported individuals and families through this crisis. We continued to develop bold programming, including our All-Aboard partnership with Royal Museums Greenwich and Esme Fairburn Foundation, exploring memories of travel and migration.
2022-2024
Age Exchange expands its reach nationally with Community Integrated Care – contributing to award winning programmes with organisations including UEFA Women’s Euro 2022, British Cycling and Save Our Wild Isles with RSPB, National Trust and WWF, inspired by Sir David Attenborough’s Wild Isles documentary.
We proudly collect the Best Age-Outreach honour at the Fantastic for Families awards 2022.
2025
Our Good Company partnership with Orchestras Live, Sinfonia Viva, Green Candle Dance, Brentwood Borough Council, The Alzheimer’s Society and Brentwood Theatre is Highly Commended at the HSJ Achievement Awards.
We share our impact nationally collaborating with the Tour Of Britain.