"I was going to stop the group due to high fees charged by Meetup and the constant changes to the app."
The Problem: A Final Resort
For Tracy, the decision to leave Meetup wasn't just about frustration—it was a final resort. Faced with climbing fees and a platform that felt like it was constantly shifting under her feet, Tracy was ready to call it quits. The burden of managing a group on Meetup had simply become too high a price to pay for the community she loved.
The Friendship Tax
Meetup fees had climbed so high that Tracy was ready to stop the group altogether.
Constant Changes
Endless shifts to the Meetup app — a platform that never felt settled.
Nearly Giving Up
The community mattered — but keeping it on Meetup no longer felt sustainable.
The Transition & Results
Moving to GatherUK offered a fresh start, and the response was immediate. While her new events officially kick off on July 1st, the feedback from her members is already rolling in.
Tracy notes that the biggest improvement isn't just in the cost—it's in the experience itself. She finds the platform incredibly user-friendly and has noticed a genuine relief in how much easier it is to post events. For Tracy, GatherUK didn't just host her group; it saved it.
What Tracy Found
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Stopping the friendship tax.
No more climbing Meetup fees just to keep a local social group alive.
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A stable, user-friendly home.
A platform that feels straightforward to use — for the organiser and for members.
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Instant positive feedback.
Members are already commenting on how user-friendly GatherUK feels — even before the first official events on 1 July.
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Easier event posting.
Less friction when creating and sharing what's on — more time for the community itself.
Is Your Group Ready to Make the Move?
If Meetup fees and constant platform changes are pushing you towards closing your group — you are not alone.
Three months free. £5 a month after that. Members always free. And a real person to help when you need it.
GatherUK is a UK non-profit built by Steve, a volunteer organiser in Nottinghamshire. Read his story — the motivation behind why he started GatherUK, in his own words.