What excites you most about getting older, and why? 

“Honestly, I think my dream house is something I look forward to,” Iris shares with a hint of enthusiasm. “But it’s not just about the house. I think I’m excited about gaining more confidence as I grow up. I love how women in their 40s and 50s have this ‘don’t give a ****’ attitude, and I hope I get there too. I feel like I already have a bit of that now, and I’m looking forward to becoming more in control of my life, maybe feeling more financially stable, and possibly having a family. But at the same time, I don’t really want to feel ‘grown up’ — it’s a bit of a confusing feeling.” 

What does growing up feel like to you? 

“Growing up feels precarious,” Iris explains. “It feels isolating at times, like you’re aware that if you don’t do something, it just won’t get done. It’s terrifying in some ways. I grew up very privileged, with lots of support from my parents. I had opportunities, and now that I’m an adult, it’s on me. It’s exciting too, though, because it means I can change things if I don’t like them. But that comes with responsibility, and that’s the scary part.” 

Do you worry about getting older? 

“Yeah, sometimes I do,” Iris admits, a moment of vulnerability in her voice. “I get a bit obsessed with the idea of wrinkles, though I’d never do Botox. But my biggest fear is dementia, especially since it runs in my family. Cancer, dying too soon — those are the things that really scare me. I think about it all the time. My grandfather passed away when I was young, and that’s when I first realised how fragile life is. Death is one of the few things in life we can’t control, and that scares me.” 

Do you think there’s a generational difference in how we approach health? 

“Yes,” Iris says. “We’re more aware of health now, but it comes with new challenges. I think my generation is more obsessed with appearance. The older generations seemed to accept ageing earlier. Now, we watch our parents try to stay young forever, and that’s something we’re going to have to deal with. We’re more conscious of how we look, but I wonder what that obsession will do to us in the long run.” 

What motivated you to join Voice, and what do you hope to gain? 

“I joined Voice because of ageism,” Iris explains, her passion clear. “My grandmother faced a lot of ageism from doctors, and it made me realise how we need to design better systems for older people. I also love the idea of a community where everyone gets a say, where we can design things that work for people at all stages of life. It’s about making sure that the world is designed not just for me but equally for all parts of our life” 

Tell us about a project you worked on with Voice that was especially fulfilling. 

Iris reflects on her involvement in the “Flip the Script” exhibition at the London Design Biennale in 2023, a project exploring how we age. “It was fascinating to hear people’s opinions on ageing, especially since I came into it with less knowledge. Interestingly, the most engaged participants were either the very young or the very old. People in their 30s and 40s seemed less engaged, possibly because they’re too close to the middle of their lives to want to think about ageing. But I found it eye-opening to realise that we all have different perspectives on ageing depending on where we are in life.” 

Do you think businesses should listen to real people? 

“Of course,” Iris responds without hesitation. “What’s the point of creating something if it doesn’t actually benefit the people using it? Ageism exists in marketing too. There’s this tendency to only show young people in ads, and when older people are featured, it’s usually in a very stereotypical way. We need to move past these outdated ideas and really listen to people of all ages. If we do, I think we can create products and services that are genuinely useful for everyone.” 

Why should people join Voice? 

“For exactly that reason,” Iris says with conviction. “Joining Voice is a way to be part of the change we want to see. If we don’t start engaging with people from all generations now, we risk having others make decisions about our future without us. Being part of Voice means we can help shape how we age, how we live, and how we interact with each other. It’s about creating a more inclusive world where ageing doesn’t have to be something to fear.” 

So why should young people care about ageing?

“Because we’re all going to get old one day,” Iris points out. “And if we don’t start shaping the conversation now, it will be too late. Younger people can learn a lot from older generations, and vice versa. We need to build a future that works for everyone, and that starts with understanding what ageing really means.” 

Iris’s perspective is a reminder that age should never be a barrier to connection or to creating a better world for all generations. Her involvement in Voice clearly shows the power of listening and learning from one another, and the importance of designing for the future, no matter what age we are.