From a swift half in the Rovers Return to a pint in the Woolpack, countless friendships have been made, family events celebrated and worries halved over a drink at these iconic soap opera pubs.

Now, former soap stars Adam and Ryan Thomas – or Adam Barton and Jason Grimshaw as they’re better known – are bringing a bit of the good cheer and community spirit seen in the fictional pubs to life, as part of HEINEKEN’s mission to combat loneliness, which is now in its third year.

The mischievous brothers – are part of a campaign to tackle loneliness, at a time when nine million people in the UK say they experience loneliness. Nearly 2,000 people from all walks of life will be brought together to socialise over a festive lunch in their local pub.

Adam and Ryan want to unite people across the country, to show how real life relationships can benefit from a visit to the Great British pub, which is at the heart of communities, just as it is in another great British institution, soaps.

Attending the lunch alongside Ryan and Adam, will be local Manchester charity Chatterbox and AXM Foundation.  Chatterbox provides its users with opportunities to come together and learn new skills, get practical help and support, as well as actively raising the confidence and aspirations of people living in poverty and providing a food bank for locals.

AXM Foundation supports people from the Greater Manchester LGBTQ+ community who may be suffering from health issues or experiencing poverty, and giving them a platform to bring their creative ideas to life.

As part of the Brewing Good Cheer campaign – 100 pubs across the UK are throwing open their doors to thousands of isolated and vulnerable people and are hosting Christmas lunches providing them with a three-course meal and a chance to socialise with other members of their community.

Former Coronation Street star Ryan Thomas said, ‘I remember coming out of Celebrity Big Brother and meeting all my family in the pub. It was an important time for me – and it was great to be surrounded by so many people who love and care for you.

“Pubs are the heartbeat of the local community and something that’s why the Rovers Return is so important in Coronation Street. They’re hubs of people meeting friends and family, talking through problems to celebrating – there’s no place like it!

Adam Thomas adds: “There’s no secret that every soap is based around its pub, from The Rover Return to the Queen Vic, or the best of them all: The Woolpack. So I’m thrilled to be working on Heineken’s Brewing Good Cheer campaign and helping to tackle social isolation by inviting people to festive lunches around in the UK.”

Sue Asprey, a representative 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.”

Sue added: “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!

In the last three years, licensees of hundreds of pubs partnered with charities from well-known national organisations, such as AGE UK and the Royal Voluntary Service, to hyper-local services.”

Brewing Good Cheer was launched in 2016 and has already helped hundreds of lonely or socially isolated people to network and make new friends.

Loneliness is a huge issue in Britain and effects up to nine million people every year, which is why through Brewing Good Cheer, HEINEKEN wants to raise awareness of the social exclusion that’s happening on our doorsteps, as well as shining a light on the pivotal role that pubs can play as the heart of communities up and down the country.

David Paterson, spokesperson for HEINEKEN says: “There really is no place like the Great British pub – it’s the place where relationships start, friendships are cemented and memories made. We believe pubs are at the heart of communities and we’re proud to be working once again with so many pub landlords up and down the country who want to make a positive difference not just during the Christmas period, but all year round. We hope that 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!”

Through its Star Pubs & Bars business, HEINEKEN owns 2,900 pubs across the UK, and demonstrates that the Great British pub is often at the heart of communities and a place where people from all walks of life can come together.