We are growing older, living longer – shouldn't that be a good thing? An extra ten years in the middle of our lives, not at the end, but in the middle. Makes you think doesn't it? But, if you read the papers and study the many research papers, the future looks all doom and gloom as we grow older.

Loneliness, dementia, unemployment, poverty. While this is true for some people and more of an issue as we enter our much later years, this is not the case for people in the 50s, 60s and indeed their 70s. The stereotypes of decline and loss are part of a narrative which has been too entrenched in society. It is blatant ageism, to others and indeed to our future selves.

So what are we going to do about it? Well there is a movement changing this narrative and it is called The Age of No Retirement. To date, over 800 individuals – older and younger, rich and poor, those working and those not – have to come together to collaborate with over 300 organisations – big business, government, technologists, designers, entrepreneurs, innovators and the media across the UK to change the stereotypical narrative of decline to one of growth, expense and optimism.

It is our collective view that there has been too much talk about strategies with very little action. Too much effort expended on non-joined-up thinking; too much stereotyping and not enough myth-busting.

That is why The Age of Retirement has emerged to fill this void. Based on four key foundations – co-design and collaboration, prototype delivery, positive storytelling and consultancy, The Age of No Retirement's vision is to create a society that promotes the power of all generations together, in work, in society, in government and in the media. So we all enjoy long and fulfilling lives throughout our entire life and for as long as possible.

Our belief is that we need to use innovative, agile thinking – a design-led approach to change the status quo. We know this will create more real impact that just talking and academic research alone. As of April this year and based on the collective wisdom and expertise, insight and inspiration of our network, we have created 22 prototypes that we believe are the most radical way forward to changing where we are to where we want to be. And this is where we need yours and the union's help.

The prototypes are big in scope – covering work, transport, finance, education, transitions in life, community, care, family, intergenerational integration, planning – but all have a simple doable starting point to see what we can learn quickly and then to share to the wider network for input and acceleration.

Speaking with the unionlearn, we have been encouraged by their commitment to being involved in this new approach to ageing and how to create a more positive and multigenerational society. You can read all the prototypes on our website and we would love to hear from you if you or your organisation would like to get involved.

What do we want from you? The Age of No Retirement is about you, it is about all us. You can get involved in any of the prototypes. You can share your positive stories about what is happening in your workplace that could inspire other people. And you can join us in spreading the word.