Welcome! We are on a mission to Bring Communities Back Together by mobilising Third Places across the UK!

What is a Third Place?

The concept is based on the idea, coined by British sociologist Ray Oldenburg, that our home is the “first place” and the workplace is the “second place”.  Hence, a “third place” represents a social meeting place that sits outside of the home and the office, and which facilitates the formation of new connections and strengthening existing connections. It could be your local coffee shop, the gym, a library, or a community sports club — places where you’re free to come and go, where lively discussions are the main attraction that draws people in, which attracts regulars, and sparks “the urge to return, recreate, and recapture the experience”, as Oldenburg stated.

The connection paradox             

Meanwhile for many, despite our phones meaning we are more connected than ever with people from around the world, research shows we are more disconnected than ever. Social isolation is increasing — an issue only amplified by the pandemic and economic disparities. While social media and technology are often blamed, we tend to overlook another major factor: the loss of social infrastructure – of “third places”.

List your Third Place!            

If you manage a third place in the UK, you can add it to our directory for free. You can use our listing form to showcase how your venue or service brings people together. Even if there is a specific aspect that brings people together – for example, a yoga studio that may offer 1 to 1 session but that also offers group sessions, thus making it more than just a place to exercise, make a listing! We want to help people discover their next favourite place to meet and spend time with others.

Here is a great listing by Anytime Fitness in Yeovil:

This listing by Anytime Fitness in Yeovil describes perfectly how it is “more than just a space to exercise… people from all walks of life come together with shared goals of health and fitness, creating opportunities for social interaction, encouragement, and camaraderie”

Blog writers wanted!

Further, we have just launched our community blog, where anyone can contribute articles related to people, communities, and social spaces. You’re able to create your own article while promoting your wider services  through your articles to a growing audience interested in the third place concept.

A big thanks to Charlie Fisher who has continued developing the site as freelancer. We are hoping to get Freelance blog writers on board, particularly writers at this stage, to contribute to our blog (blog writing is not my forte so I hope you will join in) Please send us a message through our contact form or DM us on LinkedIn.

Stay tuned and I hope you’ll join us on this journey.

Josh