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An update, and a request!

Three years ago, we found out that Sheffield was receiving a £6m Big Lottery Fund investment to reduce loneliness and social isolation for people over 50 living in our great city.

By Hannah Thornton · February 26, 2018

Three years ago, we found out that Sheffield was receiving a £6m Big Lottery Fund investment to reduce loneliness and social isolation for people over 50 living in our great city.

Throughout the past three years we’ve worked incredibly hard on this agenda, and with an amazing team of partners we’ve tried and tested lots of different approaches to reach people who are experiencing isolation. We’re thrilled that a huge number of individuals have been able to work with us to realise changes in their lives, and to feel more connections, smiles and laughter than before.

Now, with just 3 more years of Lottery funding ahead of us we must decide what to do next. We want to make those decisions collaboratively, which means engaging in conversation with as many people as possible to make lasting change in Sheffield.

There’s no time to wait! We need to focus on solutions and empowerment to make good things happen now, and in the future. To make this a reality we need everyone across Sheffield to join us in this mission. And we need everyone to believe that they personally can make a difference.

We know many people think that their efforts to reduce isolation would be like a drop in the ocean, so they don’t act. But we know that if everyone took those small actions – those visits to a neighbour or phone call to a distant relative – the ripples would make waves, and we’d collectively bring about incredible change across Sheffield.

Our aim is crystal clear; we want to make Sheffield a city where everyone is known and where everyone feels connected. Being known is such a powerful thing, something we should all experience.

Now we need the help of our great city. Here are the things you can do:

Get involved in the discussion about how we make citywide change by filling out and sharing this survey: www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/ABiSco-design/

Tell us about your drops in the ocean – what do you currently do for other people?

Spread the good work – inspire others in your community to do one small thing for someone else.

Join in our online conversation using #BeingKnown. Tell us about your communities, your experiences, and your hopes for a city where everyone feels known.