As a way to help men build more friendships, a group called Connecting Men of Guelph was launched at the end of November, quickly growing to over 70 members and counting.
It was modelled after a similar group for women that was founded over a year ago by Ella Baker. Connecting Women of Guelph has been creating new connections through local events, unique meetups and posting on the Facebook group. It has over 1,300 members who participate.
Baker also launched on social media something called ‘The Loneliness Movement’ as a way to inspire others to create these types of groups that foster connectivity locally in their own cities or towns. She saw how quickly both groups grew, how people formed smaller groups within them, and built their own friendships, just by giving them a positive place to find them.
While on The Mike Farwell Show, Baker discussed why she started the women’s group in the first place. Being a newcomer from England, it was hard for her to find friends or feel a sense of belonging, she said. Wanting a change, she posted something on Facebook, which soon after turned into her creating a group.
“I have found that when you’re vulnerable, people really respond in such a kind way and they then open up,” she said.
“Through everything that I have seen, throughout the group, is loneliness and not belonging.”
Baker mentioned the goal is for people to meet in real life, but sees social media as a tool they can use to help find each other and connect.
“The men will hopefully show, and they can meet some other people who have the same interests or are in the same age bracket,” she said.
Baker has watched as the men’s group has grown quickly in just a few weeks. The idea to launch came after talking to local men, and they opened up to her about how difficult it can be to make friends at their age.
“The group is being very active right now, all the men are introducing themselves, which is how it started naturally with the women’s group,” she said. “So I feel pretty positive about it.”