In 1989, sociologist Ray Oldenburg coined the term The Third Place to describe public and civil spaces that allowed people to gather on neutral ground and interact away from the obligations of the first place- home, and the second place- work. He explained the third places as forming the heart of the community and a space to promote social equity.

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For many people these third places are markets, cafes, restaurants, bars and the like. But for people living with dysphagia, it can be hard to feel included and participate in social activity and community when it is based around food and drink making the third place not only less equitable but less accessible. 

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The Fourth Place aims to build on this by creating an online space for people living with and without dysphagia to share their love for  food and their skills to collaborate and increase access to the shared mealtime and the quality it brings to life.