Young adults beat social isolation with town group

Nantwich 20s & 30s Social Group organises at least eight events a month for a chance to meet new people and make friends

A social group in Nantwich has hit 1,300 members after being formed by two complete strangers.

Em Davies set up the group with Lili Vetter when she arrived in the Cheshire town from Belfast.

“I didn’t know anyone in the area,” Ms Vetter explained, “I popped a message up on our local Facebook page and Em responded. Together we decided 'let’s create a group'.”

Ms Vetter has since met her partner at a group event and the couple are now buying their first house together.

When Ms Davies and Ms Vetter met via Facebook, they recognised that many other people in Nantwich their age were reaching out to socialise.

"The twenties to forties age category, it's really hard to make friends if you're not working in an office and you don't have that inbuilt group," Ms Davies said.

Other members moved to the area during lockdown and found making connections difficult, so the group was an effective way to integrate into the community.

"When things started to reopen... it was just a little bit lonely. Then I found this group on Facebook and it's amazing. The amount of friends I've made through it has been unbelievable," said Sophie Bebbington.

She added that over half the congregation at her wedding was made up of friends she made through the group.

"Fundamentally it's about not feeling like you're alone in the area," stated Ms Vetter.

"Don't be afraid to create that group. It changes your life - give it a go!"