The Girls Squad helping women meet new friends

A woman who started a Facebook group for women to meet new friends said she never expected it to grow to 15,000 members.

Leah Clapham, 29, from Hadleigh, Suffolk, set up Girls Squad during the Covid-19 pandemic.

It has grown to 15,700 members and has helped her meet new people, including Heather Cowell, 32, from Ipswich, who praised the group.

The women described Girls Squad as welcoming and supportive, and they both enjoyed helping others foster friendships.

During the pandemic, Miss Clapham said she realised many people were struggling to make friends and she decided to set up the group.

"I think we hit 1,000 [members] quite quickly and then it soon became 5,000," she explained.

"It's so crazy. It's quite overwhelming because people are like, 'Oh, I don't know what I'd do without you', or 'This is all thanks to you'.

"I didn't think it would get this big."

The group allows women from all over the UK to introduce themselves and set up their own events to meet up.

Activities range from cocktail-making nights and cinema trips to spa days and holidays.

"Everyone is so lovely no matter what event you go to," Miss Clapham continued.

"Everyone's always so kind, especially if it's someone's first meet-up and they're very nervous.

"It's everyone's first time at some point, and we're all so welcoming that no one has really got to worry about anything."

Mrs Cowell moved to Ipswich two years ago and spotted the group being shared by Miss Clapham on Facebook.

"I am quite an anxious person and, especially two years ago, I was even more anxious about meeting new people," she explained

"I really wanted to do it, I didn't want to be alone, but that first post and the first time you go to meet people is really quite daunting.

"The fact it's just women made that easier."

Mrs Cowell now helps Miss Clapham manage the group, which they said was like working a full-time job.

When asked if she had any plans for the group in the future, Miss Clapham said: "I'm happy with how it is at the moment.

"I don't know where I want it to go because I never imagined it to be so popular, but I want to spread it as far around the UK as I can to help more people."

Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.