‘The Land of the Rising Fun'

Circle members and staff with the delegation from Studio-L at Springhill at the Craven

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Local social enterprise Rochdale Circle CIC was hailed as a world leader in the field of reducing social isolation in older people by a high-powered delegation of a social designers and entrepreneurs from Japan.

Members of Studio-L, a social design organisation based in Japan, led by CEO, Ryo Yamazaki, Professor and Director of the department of Spatial Design in the Kyoto University of Art and Design, visited the offices of Rochdale Circle CIC to learn from the success of Circle’s work in the Rochdale Borough.

The eight-person delegation visited the Circle offices on Oldham Road, Rochdale to drill into the work and structure of Circle and ask about what made Circle so successful.

Mark Wynn, Director of Rochdale Circle CIC said: “It is incredibly gratifying that we have received international recognition for the work we do. We are only a tiny organisation but we know we make a huge, positive difference to the lives of Circle Members in a fun and exciting way.

“We are proud of the fact that a Rochdale based organisation is held in such high regard around the world.”

After visiting the Circle offices the party then went on to visit a Circle social event, which was taking place at the new Springhill Hospice tea room, where the visitors enjoyed an English cream tea.

Apokeswomen for Studio-L, Noriko Deno, said: “Our visit to Circle has been excellent, we are struggling to take in just how successful they are at getting older people out and socialising and having a good time.

"In Japan we have an increasing problem of older people becoming isolated and Circle could be the solution we are looking for.”

Circle office manager, Leanne Chorlton, said: “We are all proud of the work we do and it is has to be said that without the support of Rochdale Boroughwide Housing we wouldn’t exist and so they deserve credit for the foresight and faith they placed in us.”

Rochdale Circle CIC is a membership organisation for the over 50s that organise between 20-30 social events every month, ranging from going out for a coffee, a meal or a show, exhibitions, day trips, weekends away and even short holidays. Members select which activities they want to do each month and they can do as few or as many as they wish.

Circle also offers practical support, such as gardening, cleaning, decorating, DIY, moving boxes, and changing light bulbs. Friendly, vetted trades-people deliver all the practical support.