Back in August 2013, I decided to dedicate myself to an idea for a social enterprise that would use food to improve the lives of disadvantaged groups in Greater Manchester. 4Lunch was born and it’s been my baby ever since. After many amazing years living in...
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Are you an aspiring social entrepreneur? If so, the 4Lunch social enterprise blog is the place to read honest, warts and all articles about what it's like to start a social enterprise. As well as cooking and teaching, I love to write. And writing has kept...
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The legend of Robin Hood is a well-known story about a man who steals from the rich to give to the poor. In their own, more socially acceptable way, social enterprises do similar things to Robin Hood. It's a wacky type of business model with redistributive...
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4Lunch is all about using the power of food to make a real difference in people’s lives, in terms of social benefits, health & wellbeing and skills & employment. Our community food projects do just that. Cooking a meal is one of the most basic things you...
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4Lunch benefits hugely from the support of our volunteers, and we also want to make sure our volunteers get something out of 4Lunch! This is very apparent when we engage volunteers who are new to the UK. And we've been really lucky to have met Aws...
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If you came along to January’s Big Conversation event at Whitworth Art Gallery, you will know what an amazing spread our volunteer chefs put on for over 200 people! Our team – Helen, Booky, Shamim, Asad, Sabah, Raqia, Levie and Barley – plus Simone and Sally...
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We've been in conversation with Clare & Karolina, two amazing women who used their love of dumplings to help migrant women improve their English skills. The result was the creation of a truly unique community food project - Heart & Parcel. We hope you might feel inspired...
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As much as we want to enact positive change in the world and make a difference, social entrepreneurs often overestimate their capabilities and responsibilities. Social entrepreneurs are by default, very optimistic and hopeful for the future. But this doesn't mean they are miracle workers. In order for someone to start...
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Starting my own business was never about making lots of money. In fact, starting 4Lunch came from a deep-rooted desire to play Robin Hood, rebalancing the scales of a broken economic system. Some people get all the opportunities, all the contacts, all the glory. Whereas many...
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Since June 2017, 4Lunch has been running pop-up cafés for mental health charity TLC St Luke's and Arawak Walton Housing Association for their over 65s residents living in at Daisy Bank Court. We make home-cooked, healthy food for members of the community who might otherwise face social isolation....
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