Thank You All For Attending!
Opening Doors 3 – Showcasing Solutions to Isolation and Loneliness
It is only two years since Plymouth Social Isolation Forum ran its first major event in April 2022. It was a conference, Bringing Plymouth together to find solutions to isolation and loneliness. At that time many organisations knew of each other but no one was actually working together. The results from the four interactive workshops held at the conference led to an idea to have a showcase event, an exhibition, Opening Doors - Showcasing Solutions to Isolation and Loneliness. This was the Forum’s first call to action, a springboard to solutions for Social Isolation and Loneliness where diverse groups came together to show some of the wonderful things that are on offer in Plymouth. This first Opening Doors event led to groups collaborating and often running joint events with the Forum circulating information about these events widely. However, we still felt that we were not getting the information out to many people who needed to know what was on offer in Plymouth.
At Opening Doors 3 this has now begun to change. We went out of the way to let everyone know about the event and attracted hundreds of people to Sherwell United Church Hall to meet the exhibitors, find out what is available for individuals and groups looking for opportunities to make friends, learn new skills, volunteer, find where to go for advice on many matters including support for mental health, dementia, cancer, health and fitness and much more. It was also a day of great fun. You could eat a wonderful selection of food provided free of charge, all day long, and to everyone’s preferences. You could sit at tables to rest and chat. The event was fun and from the minute people entered the hall, the buzz of excitement was electric. Everyone who registered was given a free raffle ticket with the prizes annual passes to the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth. While the winners of the 20 passes could use their pass immediately, we are hoping to have a group visit to the aquarium of both winners and anyone who wants to pay to attend on the day.
The video together with some photos of Opening Doors 3 captures the excitement of the day.
It is only two years since Plymouth Social Isolation Forum ran its first major event in April 2022. It was a conference, Bringing Plymouth together to find solutions to isolation and loneliness. At that time many organisations knew of each other but no one was actually working together. The results from the four interactive workshops held at the conference led to an idea to have a showcase event, an exhibition, Opening Doors - Showcasing Solutions to Isolation and Loneliness. This was the Forum’s first call to action, a springboard to solutions for Social Isolation and Loneliness where diverse groups came together to show some of the wonderful things that are on offer in Plymouth. This first Opening Doors event led to groups collaborating and often running joint events with the Forum circulating information about these events widely. However, we still felt that we were not getting the information out to many people who needed to know what was on offer in Plymouth.
At Opening Doors 3 this has now begun to change. We went out of the way to let everyone know about the event and attracted hundreds of people to Sherwell United Church Hall to meet the exhibitors, find out what is available for individuals and groups looking for opportunities to make friends, learn new skills, volunteer, find where to go for advice on many matters including support for mental health, dementia, cancer, health and fitness and much more. It was also a day of great fun. You could eat a wonderful selection of food provided free of charge, all day long, and to everyone’s preferences. You could sit at tables to rest and chat. The event was fun and from the minute people entered the hall, the buzz of excitement was electric. Everyone who registered was given a free raffle ticket with the prizes annual passes to the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth. While the winners of the 20 passes could use their pass immediately, we are hoping to have a group visit to the aquarium of both winners and anyone who wants to pay to attend on the day.
The video together with some photos of Opening Doors 3 captures the excitement of the day.
Thank you!
Our Second 'Opening Doors' event at University of Plymouth was a great success!
The Plymouth Social Isolation Forum would like to take the opportunity to express our thanks to the University of Plymouth for providing the use of the Rolle Marquee supported by their wonderful Events Team.
Please watch our excellent film highlighting the event. It was a great event and the feedback from those involved has been positive.
We have ideas for what we can do in the future, so please watch this space.
Please watch our excellent film highlighting the event. It was a great event and the feedback from those involved has been positive.
We have ideas for what we can do in the future, so please watch this space.
See below information about our first 'Opening Doors' event at Plymouth Argyle.
Working with Macmillan Cancer Support to ensure that we reach people affected by cancer who are lonely and isolated
Many people affected by cancer experience chronic loneliness and isolation. Macmillan Cancer Support are working with Plymouth Social Isolation Forum to create and support local solutions. Here Macmillan’s Engagement Lead explains more about their work in Plymouth
April 2022 Conference evaluation film.
The film is a evaluation of the great conference that took place in April 2022. It includes interviews from speakers, delegates and exhibitors.
It provides a fantastic insight into the conference and the works that partners are doing to help those people in Plymouth struggling with loneliness and isolation.
It provides a fantastic insight into the conference and the works that partners are doing to help those people in Plymouth struggling with loneliness and isolation.
Who we are and what we do.
About the forum
The forum was setup to bring people and organisations together to help people struggling with isolation and loneliness.
- we have designed and delivered an excellent one day conference with the support of many partner organisations
- to date we have over 140 members of the forum
- we are planning future events that aim to find solutions to the challenge isolation brings to communities.