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71 articles tagged with "community"
Loneliness in Devon: The Statistics, and What Actually Helps
How common is loneliness in Devon and the UK? The Community Life Survey and ONS numbers, why rural counties are hit differently, NHS social prescribing explained, and the local groups that genuinely help.
12 July 2026
Exeter Pride 2026 — Complete Guide to Dates, Events, and Where to Celebrate
Your complete guide to Exeter Pride 2026: Saturday 9 May parade route, stage line-ups, family events, afterparties, accessibility info, and where to eat and drink.
19 May 2026
Why Dinners With Friends Is the Singles Event You Should Actually Try
Forget speed dating and awkward mixers. The best way to meet someone might be sitting down to a great dinner with strangers — no agenda, no pressure, no scorecards.
19 May 2026
Best Book Clubs and Literary Events in Exeter: A Guide for Readers Who Want Real Connection
Every book club, reading group and literary event in Exeter for 2026 — from Silent Book Club to the UNESCO Book Market on Exeter Quay.
9 April 2026
100 Reasons to Have Dinner With a Stranger
From meeting your next best friend to discovering that garlic bread is always better when shared — here are 100 reasons why sitting down to eat with someone you've never met might be the best decision you make this year.
26 March 2026
The 30-Day Social Challenge: One Simple Act of Connection Every Day
A practical day-by-day guide to rebuilding your social habits through small, meaningful acts of connection. Backed by habit formation research and designed for real life.
26 March 2026
What It Means to Be a Dinners With Friends Community Host
A complete guide to becoming a DWF Community Host. What the role involves, what you get in return — a free ticket and £20 towards your meal — and how to apply.
26 March 2026
Best Art Classes, Pottery and Life Drawing in Exeter
Get creative in Exeter — workshops at Exeter Phoenix and RAMM, pottery at The Jolly Pottery and CeramExe, life drawing, paint and sip, and term courses.
26 March 2026
Best Bakeries in Exeter: Where to Find Proper Bread, Pastries, and Cakes
Exeter's best bakeries for 2026 — sourdough specialists, artisan pastry shops, community bakehouses and cafe-bakeries. Where to find proper bread, cakes and pastries.
26 March 2026
Board Game Cafés in Exeter: 4 Places to Play in 2026
Where to play board games in Exeter: 300+ titles at Board on South Street (£8.50 entry, shut Tuesdays), Sunday pub meetups, and a competitive gaming bar.
26 March 2026
Best Coworking Spaces in Exeter for Meeting People
Exeter's best coworking spaces in 2026 — atmosphere, community and who each one suits. Find the right space to beat WFH isolation.
26 March 2026
Food Markets and Street Food in Exeter and Devon: 2026 Dates
Devon's markets with dates you can trust: Exeter Thursdays 9am-1pm, the Quayside third Saturday, Totnes Fridays and Saturdays, Barnstaple's 2026 festivals.
26 March 2026
Independent Shops in Exeter: 19 Makers, Records and Vintage
Nineteen independent Exeter shops on Gandy Street, in McCoys Arcade and along Fore Street, from Maker Mart's stockists to vintage at The Real McCoy.
26 March 2026
Best Pub Quizzes in Exeter: Where to Test Your Knowledge With Mates
The best pub quizzes in Exeter for 2026 — Monday to Sunday, every budget. Venues, times, formats, and tips for first-timers who want to join a team.
26 March 2026
Best Pubs in Exeter 2026: 18 Locals, Gardens and Taprooms
The Hour Glass and the Fat Pig for a quiet pint, the canalside Double Locks for beer gardens, Topsham Brewery for craft — 18 Exeter pubs and taprooms.
26 March 2026
Best Running Clubs and parkruns in Exeter and Devon
Your complete guide to parkruns and running clubs in Exeter and Devon — free 5k events, beginner groups, and the clubs where running becomes friendship.
26 March 2026
Cold Water Therapy and Connection: Why Devon's Wild Swimmers Swear By It
The science behind cold water therapy — from vagus nerve stimulation to endorphin release — and why Devon's wild swimming community is one of the most powerful ways to build real friendships.
26 March 2026
How Community Gardens and Allotments Build Friendships
With over 100,000 people on UK allotment waiting lists and growing evidence that gardening combats loneliness, here's how growing food together builds the friendships we're all missing.
26 March 2026
Crediton, Tiverton, and Mid Devon: The Towns Worth Exploring Beyond Exeter
Crediton and Tiverton guide: Mid Devon's market towns with castle, canal, cider mill, cheese tours and community spirit. Day trips from Exeter.
26 March 2026
Cross-Generational Friendships: Why Your Best Mate Doesn't Have to Be Your Age
We default to same-age friendships, but research shows intergenerational connections reduce loneliness, challenge ageism, and make us better humans. Here's why — and where to find them.
26 March 2026
The Death of the Third Place — and How to Bring It Back
Britain is losing its pubs and libraries at an alarming rate. Here's what the decline of 'third places' means for our social lives — and what we can do to rebuild them.
26 March 2026
Devon's Best Farm Experiences: From Lambing to Harvest
Devon is a farming county at heart. From hands-on lambing at Pennywell Farm to cheese tours at Quicke's and pick-your-own fruit across the county, here are the best farm experiences in Devon for groups, families and friends — with the seasons they actually run in.
26 March 2026
The Dinner Table Rules: How Shared Meals Create Shared Values
The dinner table is where we learn to be social beings. From turn-taking and sharing to gratitude and generosity, the rules of the table shape the values we carry through life.
26 March 2026
Exeter's Best Charity Shops: A Treasure Hunter's Guide
Best charity shops in Exeter by area — South Street, Sidwell Street, Heavitree, Cowick Street and the Thrift Warehouse. Routes, tips and a crawl itinerary.
26 March 2026
Exeter's Best Markets: A Complete Guide to Shopping Local
Guide to Exeter's best markets — Quayside Farmers' Market, Fore Street Flea, Cathedral Christmas Market, Brillsville and more. Dates, times and tips.
26 March 2026
Exeter Neighbourhoods: A Local's Guide to All 10 Areas
Ten Exeter neighbourhoods compared by a local: Magdalen Road's independents, Topsham on the estuary, Heavitree's £20m regeneration. Where to live and eat.
26 March 2026
Exeter Charities and Community Groups Making a Real Difference in 2026
Discover Exeter's best charities and community groups in 2026 — from homelessness support and food banks to wildlife conservation, with practical volunteering info.
26 March 2026
Expat Friendships: Making Connections When You're Far From Home
Moving to the UK from abroad brings unique social challenges. Discover how to navigate cultural differences, overcome expat loneliness, and build genuine friendships in your new home.
26 March 2026
Food Cultures That Bring People Together: What the UK Can Learn
From Italian aperitivo to Ethiopian injera, cultures use food as social technology. What Britain has lost and how communal eating can rebuild connection.
26 March 2026
Freelancing and Loneliness: Building a Social Life Without a Workplace
With 4.4 million self-employed workers in the UK, freelance loneliness is a growing crisis. Here's how to build the social connections that offices provide passively — when you're doing it all on your own.
26 March 2026
Friendship in Your 60s and Beyond: Why It's Never Too Late
Retirement can be socially devastating — or an extraordinary opportunity. Research on loneliness in over-60s, practical tips for building community, and why the friends you make now might be the most important of your life.
26 March 2026
The Future of Friendship: How Technology, Culture, and Community Are Evolving
From AI companions to VR social spaces, the way we connect is changing fast. But the counter-trend back to real-life gatherings is even more powerful. Here's where friendship is heading — and why the future is intentional.
26 March 2026
The Great British Pub: Why It Matters More Than Ever
A love letter to the British pub — its history, its crisis, and why this irreplaceable social institution deserves to survive. From community-owned locals to Devon micropubs, the pub is fighting back.
26 March 2026
How Music Brings People Together (And the Best Places to Hear It in Exeter)
How music bonds people, plus the best live music venues in Exeter for 2026 — from the Cavern and Phoenix to Powderham Castle concerts, choirs, and open mic nights.
26 March 2026
How Pets Bring People Together: The Social Life of Animal Owners
From dog walks to veterinary waiting rooms, pets are Britain's greatest social catalyst. Explore the research behind why animal owners make more friends, build stronger communities, and have conversations the rest of us are too British to start.
26 March 2026
How to Build a Monthly Supper Club With Your Friends
A step-by-step guide to starting a regular supper club. From choosing a format and managing guest lists to keeping it going long-term, here is everything you need to guarantee monthly social time.
26 March 2026
How to Volunteer in Exeter: A Guide to Giving Back and Making Friends
How to volunteer in Exeter — from parkrun and National Trust to food banks and arts venues, with contact routes, what to expect, and who is currently full.
26 March 2026
How Volunteering Changed My Social Life: Real Stories From the Community
From food banks to community gardens, volunteering is one of the most powerful — and overlooked — ways to build genuine friendships. Real stories from people across the UK who found connection through giving their time.
26 March 2026
Introducing Dinners With Friends Hosts
We're opening the door to people across the UK who want to host social dining experiences. Whether you want to facilitate a dinner or run your own events, there's now a way to do it with us.
26 March 2026
The Joy of Potluck: Why Bring-a-Dish Dinners Are Making a Comeback
Bring-a-dish dinners are back. Why potluck suppers are catching on in the UK, how to organise a brilliant one, and the psychology behind why everyone contributes more when everyone contributes.
26 March 2026
LGBTQ+ Social Life in Exeter: A 2026 Guide
Your complete guide to LGBTQ+ social life in Exeter for 2026 — Pride, Queer Fest, The Vaults, community groups, inclusive sport and safe social spaces.
26 March 2026
The Loneliness of New Parents — and How Shared Meals Can Help
62% of new parents in the UK report feeling lonely. From NCT groups to meal trains, here's why new parenthood is so isolating — and how the ancient practice of bringing food can help rebuild connection.
26 March 2026
Magdalen Road Exeter: Stage, Portal Pizza and Indie Shops
A local's guide to Exeter's most independent street: Michelin-listed Stage, Portal Pizza, Calvo Loco tapas, 18 Grams coffee and a proper cheesemonger.
26 March 2026
Meditation Groups in Exeter and Devon: Finding Stillness Together
Find the best meditation groups and mindfulness classes in Exeter and Devon for 2026 — Buddhist centres, secular circles, silent retreats, and outdoor wellbeing walks.
26 March 2026
Military Spouse Social Life: Building Community When You Keep Moving
Military families move every 2-3 years, constantly rebuilding social networks. Here's how to build meaningful friendships quickly — and maintain them through the next posting.
26 March 2026
What to Do When You're New to Exeter: A 2026 Starter Guide
Just moved to Exeter in 2026? Your complete starter guide — best neighbourhoods, where to eat, how to meet people, transport, and making the city feel like home.
26 March 2026
Over 50 and Social in Exeter: Groups, Activities, and Places to Connect
Groups, activities and communities for over-50s in Exeter — U3A, walking clubs, bowls, Men in Sheds, social dining and more for 2026.
26 March 2026
The Rise of Social Prescribing: How Your GP Might Send You to Dinner
Social prescribing connects people to community activities alongside medical care — and you can refer yourself. With 1.3 million GP referrals in 2023 alone, the health service is, in a real sense, prescribing friendship.
26 March 2026
Solo in Exeter: The Best Things to Do on Your Own (That Might Lead to Friendship)
Best things to do alone in Exeter — solo-friendly cafes, museums, cinema, parkrun, classes, dining and book clubs. A guide for anyone flying solo.
26 March 2026
A Student's Guide to Social Life in Exeter Beyond the University Bubble
A student's guide to social life in Exeter beyond campus — city pubs, arts venues, community sports, volunteering and more for 2026.
26 March 2026
Totnes: Devon's Quirkiest Town and Why You Should Visit
The complete guide to Totnes, Devon's fiercely independent market town. Friday market, Dartington Hall, where to eat, and why it's worth the 30-minute train ride from Exeter.
26 March 2026
What Happens When a Whole Town Eats Together: The Big Lunch and Community Meals
From the Eden Project's Big Lunch to FoodCycle and community fridges, millions of Brits are rediscovering the power of eating together. How community meals build belonging — and what they teach us about sharing a table with strangers.
26 March 2026
Why We Need More Third Places in Devon (And How You Can Help Create Them)
Devon's pubs, village halls, and community spaces are under threat. Here's why third places matter more than ever in rural communities — and practical ways to create new ones where old ones have disappeared.
26 March 2026
Why Dinners With Friends Exists: A Letter From Our Founder
A personal letter from Pamela Silkstone on why she started Dinners With Friends — the loneliness she saw, the power of a shared meal, and the vision for community in Devon and beyond.
26 March 2026
The Best Social Clubs in Exeter: A 2026 Guide to Meeting New People
Complete guide to social clubs in Exeter for 2026 — dinner groups, walking clubs, singles socials, adventure meetups and more. Find your people in Devon.
23 March 2026
7 Ways to Actually Make Friends When Your Diary Is Rammed
Practical, research-backed strategies for making real friends when your calendar is already full. From the repeated exposure principle to the friendship funnel, what actually works.
25 February 2026
An Introvert's Guide to Building a Social Life You Actually Enjoy
Being an introvert doesn't mean you don't want connection. A practical guide to building a social life that energises rather than drains, with science-backed tips.
25 February 2026
Best Restaurants in Exeter 2026: An Honest, Opinionated Guide
Exeter's best restaurants for 2026 — Michelin-worthy tasting menus, AA Rosette winners, waterfront dining, and hidden gems. Tried, tested, honestly reviewed.
25 February 2026
How to Actually Turn Acquaintances Into Real Friends
The science-backed stages of friendship and practical ways to turn acquaintances into real friends, with the research on what actually makes bonds stick.
25 February 2026
How Sharing a Meal Can Change Your Social Life
From ancient campfires to modern supper clubs, sharing food has always been humanity's most powerful bonding ritual. Why communal dining is the antidote to the UK's loneliness epidemic — and what a Dinners With Friends Wednesday evening actually looks like.
25 February 2026
How to Build a Social Life From Scratch
Just moved somewhere new? Here's a practical, month-by-month guide to building genuine friendships and a social life from the ground up — even when you don't know a single person.
25 February 2026
Why Your Acquaintances Matter More Than You Think
Research shows casual acquaintances often have the biggest impact on your career, ideas, and wellbeing. Why weak ties matter and how to cultivate them.
25 February 2026
Working From Home and Feeling Alone? You're Not the Only One
Remote work gave us flexibility and freedom — but it also took away the casual social interactions that kept us connected. How to fight WFH loneliness and rebuild your social life.
25 February 2026
Welcome to Dinners With Friends
Discover how Dinners With Friends is bringing people together over great food in Devon. Learn about our story, our mission, and what makes our community dining events special.
15 February 2026
Finding Your People When Everything Feels Unstable
How political, economic, and personal instability makes us crave belonging more — and how to find your chosen family through intentional community in the UK.
22 January 2026
Why Your Neighbourhood Matters More Than Your Network
The power of weak ties, knowing your neighbours, and why local connection provides something your close friends cannot. UK data on neighbourhood relationships and how to build them.
8 January 2026
The Friendship Deficit in Britain's Suburbs and New Builds
How suburban sprawl and new-build estates are designed for cars, not community. The UK data behind the lack of third places, and what communities are doing to fight back.
22 December 2025
The Comfort of Routine: Building Regular Social Rituals in Chaotic Times
When everything feels uncertain, regular social rituals become an anchor. The psychology of routine, UK research on social connection, and how to build your own recurring gatherings that stick.
27 November 2025
Building a Support Network, Not Just a Social Circle
There's a difference between friends you have fun with and friends who hold you up. Here's how to build a diverse, resilient support network that goes beyond surface-level socialising.
2 October 2025
From Anxiety to Action: Turning Worry Into Community
How collective anxiety about war, climate, and the economy can be channelled into community building. The psychology of 'tend and befriend,' UK initiatives born from crisis, and why small acts of connection are the antidote to helplessness.
24 July 2025
How Global Uncertainty Is Reshaping British Social Life
Wars, political instability, and a cost of living crisis that won't quit are changing how Brits socialise. But the shift isn't all bad — and it might be exactly what we needed.
8 January 2025