We are most pleased to see the ongoing legacy for the project, where people and groups supported by Start Up have gone on to become support hubs for their communities, offering the benefit of their experience and expertise to help new groups to develop. For example, the High Five social club in Beauchief offered a weekly coffee and conversation club for over 50s who were isolated and lonely. As that group became more popular and established, members began to feel more confident to think about other activities and ideas they might want to develop, and the High Five Club Coordinator was able to help support them in turn.

 

The Start Up projects were also able to stay in touch with one another across the city and take inspiration from friends in other groups. For examples, this led to a new Chairobics group inspired by another Start Up Project somewhere else in the city.

 

Start Up has been a significant project for Ignite Imaginations, and really helped us develop our practice, in using creative methods for encouraging grassroots participation through supporting connection and friendship. Though the Lottery funding through the Age Better in Sheffield programme ended in 2021, Ignite will look to sustain the legacy of this project and develop programmes that keep the spirit of Start Up alive.