Derry Meet Ups celebrates two years of tackling adult loneliness with its biggest event yet

Derry Meet Ups is celebrating two years of building connection across the city with its largest birthday event to date on Monday, March 30 2026 at The Playhouse.

Founded in 2024, Derry Meet Ups was created to tackle adult loneliness by making it easier to form authentic friendships in real life. Since then, it has delivered more than 100 in-person events across the North West, from Offline Cafés and creative workshops to cultural evenings and adventure days, all designed to help people meet, connect and try new experiences.

To mark its second anniversary, Derry Meet Ups is inviting the public to its biggest celebration yet: an extended Offline Café gathering followed by the premiere screening of Building A Village, a powerful short documentary inspired by the movement itself.

The evening will begin with a relaxed, screen-free Offline Café experience, giving attendees time to settle in, meet new people and enjoy a shared space. With over 100 tickets available, this will be the largest Derry Meet Ups gathering to date.

The celebration will then feature the exclusive premiere of Building A Village, a documentary exploring the growing need for connection in Northern Ireland. Starting out as a ten-minute student assignment, Building A Village expanded into a short documentary film by Jonathan Cullen, a student at North West Regional College (NWRC).

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On hiatus from working in the videogame industry, Cullen is in the final few months of a HNC (Higher National Certificate) and HND (Higher National Diploma) in journalism at NWRC. He directed, wrote, produced and edited Building A Village. Cullen also appears in the film as a subject, as he is himself a member of Derry Meet Ups.

“When I first got the word we were doing a documentary assignment at NWRC, the first three words that sprang to mind immediately, like neon lights, were Derry Meet Ups. Not just because of the important work it has done within Derry, but because of what it means to me personally as a card-carrying member.

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“In the time I’ve been with Derry Meet Ups, I’ve seen first-hand the power of community, connection and friendship it has provided.

“Pitching this documentary, it initially started as a way to show the appreciation and love I have for the organisation. And while that’s still very much true, along the way, I learned too how important it was to show the need for community & connection, how they intertwine and how valuable they are in 2026 at a time when community funding in Northern Ireland has been slashed dramatically to below £10 million and when the Foyle constituency is the loneliest in all of Northern Ireland. The hope for Building A Village, amongst other things, is to show why community & connection is now needed more than ever.” 

Recent Northern Ireland wellbeing statistics show that approximately 25 percent of people in the Foyle constituency report living with loneliness, the highest rate recorded across Northern Ireland. Overall life satisfaction also remains the lowest in the country, highlighting the urgent need for safe and inclusive community spaces.

Cassie and Corrie setting up

Derry Meet Ups continues to respond to that need by creating structured, welcoming environments where adults of all ages, backgrounds and genders can step through the door knowing they are not alone.

Cassie Jane, Founder of Derry Meet Ups, said: “I know how vulnerable it can feel to walk into a room where you don’t know anyone. Derry Meet Ups was built to make that step easier.

“When we started, it was simply about making it easier for people to meet. Two years later, we’ve seen strangers become friends, collaborations grow, and people find a sense of belonging they didn’t know they were missing. In a time when loneliness is rising, creating spaces where people feel welcomed and looked after isn’t optional, it’s essential.

“We’re now taking that a step further by encouraging people to adopt a community mindset so they can support local businesses, look out for one another, and take pride in the city we live in. We’re helping people build their villages, but first, we’re showing them how to be villagers.”

Derry Meet Ups wants to remind anyone considering attending that everyone who walks through the door is in the same boat. They are all looking for connection, conversation and belonging. Whether someone arrives knowing no one or comes with a friend, they will be welcomed, introduced and looked after. 

Offline Cafe

The Anniversary Celebrations and Screening will take place at The Playhouse, Derry, on Monday 30 March 2026 from 6:30pm to 9:00pm.

Tickets are available via www.derrymeetups.com