More than 1,200 Coasties have attended more than 100 speed-dating events conducted by Connect Social Central Coast since it was established 20 months ago.
Founder Lisa Longobardi said single people were finding genuine friendship and real relationships were being started.
“Lots of people have stated it’s better than internet dating and not as daunting as they thought it would be,” she said.
Longobardi started the group after being single for six years and finding a dearth of events on the Central Coast where singles could meet each other.
“I sat on the idea for about three years then Covid hit – but once lockdowns were over I got started,” she said.
“It’s not at all daunting … there is mingling first and we do some ice-breaker games to have a giggle before the dating begins.”
“The morning after the event I send out any matches and that makes my heart full.
“I don’t know where the relationships go after that initial meeting but even if people just make new friends, anything else which might develop is a bonus.”
The group has a number of events scheduled before Christmas: Friday, December 1- All Ability Speed Dating – Central Coast Leagues Club; Saturday, December 2 – Speed Dating Double 50-60 years and 40-50 years – Bamboo Buddha; Sunday, December 3 – Singles Barefoot Bowls – The Ary Toukley; Thursday, December 7- Over 60s Christmas Luncheon – The Ary Toukley; Saturday, December 9 – Singles Beer Tasting – Central Coast Brewery; Friday, December 15 – Single Mingle Jingle Party – Davistown RSL; Saturday, December 16- Singles Yoga – Komuniti Long Jetty; Saturday, December 16 – Paint and Sip Workshop – Village Cafe Noraville; and Sunday, December 17 – Newcastle Singles Mixer – Honeysuckle Social.
For more details, visit the website at connectsocialcentralcoast.com or the Connect Social Central Coast Facebook page.
Tickets for all events are available through humantix.
Hi Lisa
Firstly Thankyou you coming up with this brilliant manner to safely meet gentlemen. I have recently moved to the Central Coast and widowed since 2018 and thought I’d be unable to meet safely now at the age of 74 years, but you have given me new hope.
Unsure that I can attend prior to Christmas but definitely after, so do you have such a gathering for my age group??