Community Supper Event Addresses Social Isolation

Neighbourly Night, an event hosted by the Birmingham community centre Moseley Hive, encourages participation through various activities, including conversation, crafts, musical instruments, and food. Held on the first Thursday of each month, its objective is to foster friendships through shared meals. Sam Braham and his partner chose to attend the event after relocating to the city and experiencing isolation, attributing their feelings to a “lack of community.” He described the experience of connecting with others and being integrated into the group of approximately 20 participants as “really refreshing.” Braham elaborated, “We weren’t seeing too many people, so we had a look online and saw this event.” He further stated, “To be in a community of strangers and eating some food is a comforting thing to be around.” Rachael Hawkins, another attendee, likened the gathering to a “family meal time full of chatter.” She emphasized that communal eating is “really important” for individuals within a community, offering advantages such as enhanced mental health. Hawkins remarked, “A lot of people here don’t have family or friends that they would have round to their house so this is lovely.” She expressed a desire for more such events in Birmingham, noting their role as “important spaces for people to take ownership of.” Susanne Hemmings, an attendee, observed that Neighbourly Night provides participants with a chance to connect with others and offers a warm environment during the evenings. She highlighted, “If someone doesn’t come to the event then people check up on one another which is really important.” Rhiannon Simpson, community connector for Moseley Hive, reported that the event has achieved “great success” since its inception last year. Regular participants attend weekly between 19:00 and 20:30. Simpson commented, “It’s really good for friendship – normally people don’t want to leave when it gets to 20:30 so it just shows that people want to be together.” She further added, “You can’t beat having a tasty, home-cooked healthy meal in your stomach especially on a cold winter’s night.”