SPREADING NETS FOR PURPOSE AND FRIENDS

Work to tackle loneliness in communities in Greater Manchester has received a boost.

Unlimited Potential, a social enterprise that specialises in social innovation, is developing its work on building stronger networks within communities to connect lonely people into activities and social contact.

The project has been made possible thanks to Greater Manchester Combined Authority providing funding via its Foundational Economy Innovation Fund.

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“This work builds on a successful experiment in Eccles”, said Chris Dabbs, Chief Executive of Unlimited Potential. “We found that local people and local businesses are key to helping people to have purpose in their lives and to make new friends.”

Rather than creating new services or groups, the Spreading Our Net project nurtures and strengthens connections within communities. This enables communities to create their own solutions to loneliness, while reducing unnecessary pressure on public and voluntary services.

Lou Cordwell, Chair of Greater Manchester Business Board, said:

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“By supporting innovation across Greater Manchester’s foundational economy, we can deliver increased productivity in the sectors we rely on for our daily needs.”

“This fund complements the wide range of business support already in place while backing ideas that could increase the resilience of these sectors in the future.”