'Club is open to all - from a farmer to a plumber'

Aida Fofana
BBC News, West Midlands
Lorna Bailey
BBC Radio CWR
Country Club Socials Nine people sat on wooden chairs and a sofa in the middle of a courtyard. Country Club Socials
Country Club Socials events are aimed at 18-38 year olds and appear to be most popular with those in their mid-20s, says organiser Daisy Fossett

Daisy Fossett had found making friends in a rural community was not easy and she often felt isolated.

So, the 25-year-old from Shipston, did something about it and set up the Country Club Socials with the aim of meeting other young people in her area with similar experiences.

"I had moved back home after uni and started to work in the family business, which is on a farm, but I realised my usual friends weren't around anymore - I thought, 'What am I going to do on a Saturday night?'," Ms Fossett said.

Now events take place once a month at the Old Farm House, in Idlicote in Warwickshire, where anyone aged 18 to 38 can gather to socialise.

She said although the young farmers groups was an option she felt like it was "only a big community if you're 16 to 24 and I fell out of that age bracket."

"I didn't want to go to [young farmers'] anymore and be around mainly 16-year-olds, but equally the local pub wasn't much of an option, either because you probably wouldn't meet anyone you're own age or anyone new." she explained.

'Form real friendships'

Ms Fossett, is being helped by boyfriend Ryan McGinley, who said the increase in numbers at each events shows the club is serving a need.

"This is open to everyone, whether you're a plumber, a car dealer or an estate agent or farmer," he said.

"There's a real need to do this, give people a social life and a place to form new real friendships.

"A lot of young people have a fear of missing out and think, 'Oh God, am I doing enough with my life?', which doesn't help if you're feeling isolated."

Ms Fossett agreed and said the mid-20s age was a "weird" time.

"In you early 20s, you're likely at university or have moved out of the city and are partying," she said.

"On the other end, late 20s to early 30s, you're thinking about marriage and kids.

"But mid-20s we're in such a weird time, especially if you've moved away for work I don't know how you would meet people out your own age."

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