The future is Dating Communities (not apps)

Why two single mums built a new online community for singles after meeting more than 6,000 people

When people hear that Solo Connects has launched an online community for singles, the first question they ask is usually:

"Why build another dating app?"

The answer is simple. We haven't.

We've built something completely different because, after spending the last 18 months meeting more than 6,000 single people face-to-face, we realized there was a huge gap that nobody else was filling.

It all started with a simple idea

In late 2024, we launched Solo Connects with one mission: to help single people meet in real life again.

As two single mums navigating our own experiences of dating, friendships and starting over, we knew first-hand how difficult it could be to meet genuine people outside of work or the school run. Traditional dating apps often felt superficial and exhausting, while many social events simply weren't designed with single people in mind.

We wanted to create something different.

Not speed dating every weekend.

Not awkward matchmaking. (We are looking to launch a matchmaking agency once the Like To Find app is successful.)

Not a night where everyone felt under pressure.

Instead, we wanted to build a welcoming community where being single wasn't something to apologise for. A place where people could enjoy great experiences, make new friends and, if romance happened along the way, even better.

We honestly had no idea just how many people were looking for exactly the same thing.

More than 6,000 conversations

Since launching Solo Connects, we've organised almost 200 events across Milton Keynes and the surrounding counties.

We've welcomed professionals, parents, business owners, nurses, teachers, engineers, retirees, people newly divorced or widowed, those who have recently moved to the area, and those who have simply reached a point where they want to meet new people.

Every event brought new faces, new stories and new friendships.

We've celebrated engagements, relationships and countless friendships that simply wouldn't have happened if people hadn't taken that first step through the door.

But perhaps the most valuable thing we've gained isn't the number of events we've hosted; it's the thousands of conversations we've had.

Standing at the registration desk.

Chatting over a coffee.

Talking to people after an event.

Reading messages from members.

Listening to what people loved, what they found difficult, and what they wished existed.

Those conversations shaped everything that came next.

We started seeing the same challenges again and again

Although our events have been incredibly successful, we realised they couldn't solve every problem.

Some people told us they desperately wanted to attend but couldn't work up the confidence to walk into a room full of strangers on their own.

Others worked shifts or had childcare commitments that meant they simply couldn't make the event dates.

Many said they enjoyed the evening but never managed to speak to everyone they wanted to meet before the event ended.

Some admitted they felt more comfortable getting to know people online before meeting face-to-face.

And, of course, there were people who came to several events, made wonderful friends and had great nights out, but simply hadn't yet met the right person.

None of these people had done anything wrong.

Life had simply got in the way.

The problem wasn't dating…

It Was the Lack of Connection!

As we listened to more and more stories, we realised that most people weren't actually asking for another dating app.

● They were asking for something much more meaningful.

● They wanted somewhere they could belong.

● A place where they could continue conversations after events.

● Somewhere to discover people who genuinely shared their interests.

● A community that wasn't based entirely on appearances.

● A platform that felt local rather than global.

Most importantly, they wanted to know the people they were talking to were real.

Why we didn't want to copy Tinder or Hinge

There are already plenty of apps where you can swipe through hundreds of profiles in minutes. But after hearing the experiences of thousands of singles, we realised many people are growing tired of that approach.

They're tired of endless swiping. Tired of conversations that disappear after a few messages. Tired of wondering whether photos are current. Tired of never knowing if someone genuinely wants a relationship, friendship, or simply another follower.

People told us they wanted quality over quantity.

They wanted conversations with purpose. They wanted shared interests to spark genuine connections. That's exactly what inspired Like To Find.

More than dating – it's about shared interests

One of the biggest lessons we've learned is that lasting connections rarely start with a perfect profile.

They start with common ground. Whether that's a love of hiking, motorsport, live music, board games, travel, coffee mornings or trying new restaurants, shared interests make conversations feel natural.

That's why members choose their favourite interests when they join. It helps us connect people with similar lifestyles, and it also helps us plan future events around what our members actually enjoy.

Instead of guessing what singles want, we're letting the community shape the future together.

Blending online dating with in person events

Like To Find isn't here to replace Solo Connects. It's here to make the experience even better.

Our events remain at the heart of what we do because nothing replaces meeting someone in person. But now, if you couldn't make it to the event, felt too nervous to attend, or simply wanted another chance to connect afterward, you don't have to wait for the next one.

Selected event ticket holders receive 72-hour access after an event, giving them the chance to reconnect with people they may have missed and discover more about the wider community.

For those who want ongoing access, membership is available for just £19 a month.

Built by people who truly understand

Everything we've created has been shaped by real conversations, real experiences and real feedback.

As two single mums, we understand how busy life can be. Between work, children, family commitments and everything else life throws at us, finding time to meet new people isn't always easy.

We also understand that confidence looks different for everyone.

Some people love walking into a busy social event. Others would rather spend a few weeks chatting online first. Neither approach is right or wrong.

Our goal has always been to make meeting people feel less intimidating and more enjoyable, whatever stage you're at.

This is just the beginning

When Solo Connects began, we hoped we could build a community where single people felt welcome. Eighteen months later, that community has grown beyond anything we imagined.

Now we're taking everything we've learned from more than 6,000 conversations and creating the next chapter. Like To Find isn't about replacing dating apps or competing with them.

It's about offering something different. A place where friendships are just as valuable as relationships. Where shared interests matter as much as photographs. Where real-life experiences and online connections work together, not separately.

Because we believe finding your people, whether that's your next best friend, activity partner, or future partner, should feel exciting, authentic, and supported.

And after everything we've learned over the last 18 months, we're more convinced than ever that the best connections don't start with a swipe.

They start with a community.