A community group which originated in London and aims to help women overcome loneliness now boasts over 160,000 members.
The Lonely Girls Club was created in 2018 by then 24-year-old Holly Cooke as a means for women to connect, form friendships and feel safe.
What began with one woman’s efforts to connect in the capital city has become a national organisation helping women deal with the impacts of loneliness.
“I think loneliness impacts every area of your life, even if you don’t necessarily realise it,” Holly said.
She highlighted the prevalence of loneliness throughout the UK and the significant negative impact it can have on individuals.
Recent data collected by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) found that almost a quarter (23%) of adults in Great Britain reported feeling lonely often, always or some of the time.
The same ONS report found that younger adults are generally more likely to report feeling lonely, and women are slightly more likely to report it than men.
Holly noted how the unexpected success of the Lonely Girls Club points to the vast network of women throughout the UK who crave support and community.
She had created the group after fulfilling her own life-long dream of moving to London from Stoke-on-Trent and learning how lonely the capital can be.
“When we first started seven years ago, it was just around me personally making friends and wanting other women to feel safe and comfortable,” Holly said.
She explained that whilst the community has continued to grow, it has felt increasingly important to remain a women’s only group.
“Women’s safety is such a challenge, and so many women have felt unsafe or uncomfortable, unwelcoming for various reasons, in different spaces,” Holly said.
“And so, to have space for women to come, be safe, connect, they can have a good time and not have to worry is really important.”
The Lonely Girls Club has grown significantly and currently has branches in eight UK cities, including Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh.
However, its main hub and roots remain in London, where the group was created.
Holly said: “London’s always going to be an amazing city, but it’s challenging for a huge number of reasons.
“I think communities like this give that face-to-face that a lot of women are craving and needing.”
The online community is free to join and welcomes women of all backgrounds.
The group also host weekly paid events, which range from book clubs to friendship speed dating.
Featured image credit: Holly Cooke, CEO of Lonely Girls Club
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