Revolutionising friendship: How The Social Thirties is fostering social community for women across Warwickshire and beyond
What began as one woman's effort to find connection after moving to Leamington has since grown into a thriving community for women seeking friendship, support, and a sense of belonging.
Courtney Smith, 32, moved to Warwickshire from south-east London two years ago, and the transition to new motherhood and a quieter life left her feeling isolated.
In November, Courtney was diagnosed with depression and severe loneliness.
With a musical background as a DJ and experience in social events, parties, and festivals, Courtney was especially surprised to find herself struggling with loneliness.
She explained: "I was aware that I was possibly depressed, but being told that I had loneliness was just the craziest thing I'd ever heard."
In an effort to reconnect with herself and the local community, Courtney decided to step out of her comfort zone and, in doing so, she launched The Social Thirties in February 2025.
The Social Thirties is a grassroots initiative designed to support women to rebuild their confidence and form meaningful connections through social events and a welcoming, like-minded community.
Despite the novelty of The Social Thirties, having launched only eight weeks ago, hundreds of women have signed up for its events, with some travelling across the UK to attend.
Explaining the process behind planning the events, Courtney said: "I just keep it as varied as I can, different kinds of events, different restaurants.
"I've had a lot of meetings locally, and so many restaurants are getting in touch, but I have to find the right venues and the right teams as well."
Courtney's first event, a brunch in Leamington Spa, saw around eighty-four women attend, all of whom were complete strangers.
She said: "Maybe, just maybe, there were other women who felt like me, and if I didn't have the confidence anymore to go out and find friends here in Leamington, then maybe I could create something to find friends.
"I thought if ten people come, then that's something, and if I get to go to dinner with ten women, then that would be so, so lovely for me, and it just took off completely.
"I woke up the next morning with 600 followers, which was crazy, and then the morning after that, there were 1000 followers, and it just kept going.
"It was just so empowering that day of the first brunch, and from there, it's just spiralled."
Despite the relief of its success, the thirty-two-year-old former DJ and social events organiser said she was initially nervous.
"I've DJ'd in front of like 4000 people up on a stage before, and I've never felt nerves like I felt that first day because I just really wanted it to go well", she explained.
"I really wanted all those women to have a good time, and I felt this sense of doom, like they might not have a good time, and what if I make them feel worse?"
But Courtney's fears were soon put to rest when the women bonded so effortlessly, they joked that Courtney must have used a scientific method to match them up before arranging the seating plan.
Courntey expressed: "The seating was randomised, it just so happened that for some strange reason, they clicked in the little groups, they were sat with on the table!"
Following the success of the first Social Thirites brunch, Courtney has continued to host events, with several more on the horizon, including Bongo's Bingo in June, Proms in the Park in July (where she'll be taking fifty-two women), and a newly launched book club hosted by one of The Social Thirties' members.
She explained the events attract a diverse group of women, from mums and students to those who are recently divorced, new to the area, or even visiting from abroad.
"Everyone has their reason for coming, and it is empowering to watch them all connect," Courtney said.
Noting an increase in the sober movement, Courtney also has plans to host a sober party in a local Leamington coffee shop, Desa.
Courtney said: "At my events, I always offer an alcohol option and a non alcohol option.
"But if you are sober, sometimes it feels uncomfortable to tell people, or you feel a bit awkward, and sometimes you might just not go.
"So, it's exciting to now have this kind of daytime rave, which is going to be on a Sunday morning, where you turn up, you drink coffee and pastries, and you listen to a DJ and dance."
Many continue their new connections, beyond the events, through WhatsApp groups focused on everything from fitness to casual meetups.
For attendee Jenna Lancaster, 36, who moved from Southampton and works remotely, the positive impact of The Social Thirites was immediate.
Jenna expressed: "I am very grateful to The Social Thirties movement, since the brunch launch, I have had a social event every week since then, either a coffee with a new friend or a bigger group meet up.
"Now I know my social life will take care of itself with The Social Thirties in my life."
Eleanor Willetts from Southam said: "I was so nervous walking to my first event, but I shouldn't have been.
"At each event I've been to, I've met some amazing women that I would never have had the opportunity to meet before.
"We just needed a nudge to find each other, and the Social Thirties has been just that!:
"There are so many different activities you can find your niche or push yourself out your comfort zone, either way, the outpouring of support and joy that I've found in the group has been such a positive addition to my life and I'll always be so glad I took those first steps into my first event!"
Before experiencing depression last year, Courtney admitted she hadn't truly grasped the importance of community, believing she could simply get on with life by focusing on her priorities.
But through her struggles, she came to realise how vital it is to have people around you who make you feel safe, seen, and part of something.
"You really can't do it alone," she added.
With the huge success of The Social Thirties, despite its novelty, Courtney is working on expanding the groups, including several new additions: The Social Twenties, The Social Thirties, The Social Forties and The Social Fifties.
Courtney remarked that each group will be very different to the current one, working to cater to the demographic it is set to host.
Another notable addition is The Social Fellas, which Courtney said will feature events like pub lunches, walks, go-karting, rock climbing, paintballing, and horse racing.
Courtney commented, some men may face even greater challenges when trying to form new friendships in adulthood, which she discovered through talking to the women at her event, when discussing their male partners.
"It has made me realise it's hard for us to make friends as women, but it's harder for men to make friends," said Courtney.
She went on to explain some of the difficulties some men may face with meeting new people, especially if they have moved to a new town like Leamington.
Courtney added: "I didn't realise how important it was, you know, men, naturally, try to have a harder exterior, whereas as women, we would possibly let people in and then have a chat about it.
"Men don't talk about things like that -they certainly don't talk about their struggles and mental health.
"So, it's just as hard, if not harder, for them to make friends."
Since launching The Social Thirites, Courtney said she finally feels like she has found her purpose.
"I feel like my purpose now at this time in my life is to help women who are like me and to just help them find their purpose as well, and to make people happy– that's all I want.
"I loved Leamington before, but now, because of this community, I finally feel at home."
To find out more about The Social Thirites and get involved in future events, visit here.
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