The first intergenerational center in England is set to
open in October, providing shared services and facilities for children, older
people, young people and families. Although the approach has been around since the 1960s in the US, Europe has only seen growth in these projects in the last 5 years. 

The breakup of the extended family means older people and young
people are less likely to come into contact than in previous centuries.
The roots of intergenerational practice lie in volunteer programs in which young people visit older people to help them with household chores. Today, the emphasis is on developing equal relationships and eroding stereotypes between the groups. The spread of intergenerational practices and centers reflect the nature of our societies.

The European Union has declared 2012 to be the European Year of
Intergenerational Solidarity, a clear indication of a move toward creating the kind of multigenerational social networks needed for our future.