Background and aims. 

The National Innovation Centre for Ageing (NICA) is contributing to the London Design Biennale at Somerset House in June 2023 by creating an interactive exhibition aimed at changing the public's perception of ageing. In previous years, The Biennale has attracted 200,000 visitors, from across 68 countries.  

We know everything will change as the population of over 60s is set to double to 2 billion by 2050. This is an incredible opportunity to start new and global conversations around healthy ageing and to challenge negative stereotypes around age by celebrating what we gain as we age, share how we are challenging stereotypes and share our hopes and plans for the future. 

We are calling the installation, “Flip the Script”. Why? Because At The National Innovation Centre for Ageing (NICA) we believe now is the time to Flip the Script on the outdated tale of what it means to age. 

What will I be asked to do. 

We are inviting people to share their stories and have their hands cast as a tile to be included in the installation. See example below. 

There will be a choice of three questions with associated hand gestures:..  

Q1. Looking to the past, what has life taught you so far? We want you to share your words of wisdom.

Q2. When have you wanted to flip the script? We want to hear about a time when you challenged society’s expectations around age. 

Q3. Looking ahead, what do YOU want for yourself and what do you think SOCIETY should do to ensure a longer, healthier and more joyful future? 

As well as the physical installation for the London Biennale we will be creating a digital tool to capture our collective insights to help us create the new story on ageing. We call this #ageing intelligence. 

Volunteer criteria.

This opportunity is open to everyone aged 18 and over. We are looking for 150 people to be part of the exhibition.  

The process of casting and the materials used are completely safe. We use skin safe alginate — this is the same material that is used for taking dental moulds.  The entire process should take no more than 45 mins. You will be required to sign a consent form to allow us to take a cast of your hand and to use the stories you tell us in our research anonymously.