One hundred pubs across the country will host lunches for nearly 2,000 socially isolated and vulnerable people.
Participating pubs will put on a three-course Christmas meal for people who are experiencing loneliness and social isolation in their communities.
Brewing Good Cheer is run by Heineken and their charity partners that offer different services to bring people together in the pub. Loneliness is an ongoing issue in Britain and effects up to nine million people every year.
The Chatterbox Project, aims to raise confidence and aspirations of people living in poverty and attended one of the lunches.
Sue Asprey, from The Chatterbox Project, Blackley in Manchester said:
Through the work we do on a daily basis at The Project and via our outreach we come across local people, on a day-to-day basis, who are living in very poor conditions and are struggling financially, but over time we aim to help get them back on their feet and living healthy lives, both physically and mentally.
Of course, living on the poverty line does knock their confidence, but that’s why initiatives like Brewing Good Cheer are so important as they bring people together and help inspire them to regain their sense of confidence in themselves!
Eimear Walsh, licensee of The Winchmore in North London, which is hosting one of the lunches said:
It’s great to be part of a national movement showing just how vital pubs are to communities and how they can help to combat loneliness. Here at The Winchmore, we’re incredibly proud to be at the heart of our local community – not only providing great food and drink, but also those really important aspects of life – a safe and welcoming environment for people of all walks of life.
David Paterson, spokesman for Heineken added:
There really is no place like the Great British pub. We hope through Brewing Good Cheer we’re able to continue raising awareness of the issue of social isolation and inspires more people and publicans, to get involved and brew some good cheer this Christmas!
Photo: Ryan Thomas from Coronation Street attended the Brewing Good Cheer lunch on last Monday 10th December at The Windmill pub in Manchester with Chatterbox Project and the AXM Foundation.