I've been building local communities for over 14 years — not as a job, but as a volunteer, just like you.
It started back in 2012 in Buckinghamshire, where I saw first-hand how a local group could change lives, turning isolation into lifelong friendships. When I moved to Nottinghamshire in 2017, the first thing I did was start a new group to find my tribe here, too.
But over the years, I watched something change. The digital platforms we relied on stopped being about community and started being about shareholders.
When fees began to climb, I watched friends and fellow organisers hit with "Friendship Taxes" they simply couldn't afford. Eventually, it happened to me. My own group in Nottinghamshire had to close because the costs no longer made sense. That moment — having to tell my members we were shutting down — is the only reason GatherUK exists.
I built this platform from my home in Selston because I wanted a digital home that treats local connection as a service, not a product. We're a UK-based non-profit, keeping things simple, honest, and affordable for the people who do the real work of bringing us together.
I'm Steve, and I'm building a home for UK communities that puts people before profits.
Whether you are starting a new group or thinking about moving one over — drop me a message. I personally read and reply to every one, because getting this right matters.