The community supper reducing social isolation

Sam Braham visited the event for the first time with his partner so they could meet new people

From conversation to crafts, and musical instruments to food, everyone brings something to the table during Neighbourly Night.

It is one of many events offered by Birmingham community centre Moseley Hive, and aims to create friendships through food on the first Thursday of every month.

Sam Braham decided to join with his partner after moving to the city and feeling isolated, citing a "lack of community".

He said that meeting other people and being welcomed into the group of about 20 individuals was "really refreshing".

"We weren't seeing too many people, so we had a look online and saw this event," he explained.

"To be in a community of strangers and eating some food is a comforting thing to be around," he added.

Rachael Hawkins said that eating together was a really important thing for the community to do

Rachael Hawkins also joined the event and compared it to a "family meal time full of chatter".

She said eating together was "really important" for people to do in the community and provided benefits like improved mental health.

"A lot of people here don't have family or friends that they would have round to their house so this is lovely," she added.

She wants to see more events like this in Birmingham because they provide "important spaces for people to take ownership of".

Everyone brings a different meal to the table so they can eat together

Suzanne Hemmings said that the event provided people with a place to go in the evenings

Attendee Susanne Hemmings said that the Neighbourly Night event gave people an opportunity to open up to others, and a warm space in the evenings.

"If someone doesn't come to the event then people check up on one another which is really important," she said.

From washing up dishes to making cups of tea, Rhiannon Simpson said everyone helped out at the event

Moseley Hive's community connector Rhiannon Simpson said the event had been a "great success" since it began last year, with regulars attending every week from 19:00 to 20:30.

"It's really good for friendship - normally people don't want to leave when it gets to 20:30 so it just shows that people want to be together," she said.

"You can't beat having a tasty, home-cooked healthy meal in your stomach especially on a cold winter's night," she added.