Wednesday, 21st February 2018, 12-1.30pm at Edlington Hilltop Centre, New Edlington

‘Tackling loneliness is a generational challenge. Each and every one of us will need to come together – as individuals, in our communities, with civil society organisations, businesses, schools, employers and with government – to play our part in taking forward Jo’s vision for a less lonely, more connected, world’. Jo Cox Commission Report on loneliness

With the Government recently announcing the appointment of the first ever minister for loneliness, Tracey Crouch MP, who is tasked with tackling the isolating misery affecting as many as nine million people. Shocking research found that millions of people feel lonely, while 200,000 older people haven’t had a single conversation with a friend or relative for more than a month.

With this in mind, LunchPlus will over the next few months profile the work of a number of social enterprises based across the Sheffield City Region who are working to limit and challenge the impact of loneliness on people and other forms social isolation. Bringing together people for improved community, wellbeing and health.

The first of this series of LunchPlus profiles Aspiring2 CIC an exciting social enterprise working out of Doncaster supporting local people to overcome their personal barriers, social, emotional or physical, preventing them from entering into education, training, employment or work experience volunteering.

As part of their work combating isolation and loneliness Aspiring2 organise Memory Lane Quizzes and Vintage Tea Parties and they have agreed to run one for Social Enterprise Exchange. We’ll immerse ourselves in times gone bye or discover how it was done in the past something akin ‘Back in time for Dinner’.

Aspiring2 CIC is a collaboration between Sue Oxley and Nicky Birkinshaw who have steered its development since 2013.

LunchPlus is a business networking event designed with a focus on social enterprise. Our aim is to provide a broad, diverse and inclusive platform profiling key networks, sectors, innovation, new business opportunities, expertise, case studies, helpful business and financial services and products designed to support emerging and existing social enterprises across the Sheffield City Region. The format for Lunch Plus is a 20min presentation and a chaired Q+A session followed by a light lunch networking opportunity. Time 12.00-13.30.