Who is coming to rescue you?

Too often, society offers empty platitudes such as “we’re always here for you” or “our door is always open” as social currency.

They allow people to feel empathetic and supportive in the moment, without committing the time, emotional energy, or attention required to sustain another soul. It is compassion outsourced to a cliché. They may mean well, but often they simply do not have the bandwidth.

The same reflex is at work in the familiar reprimand: “We haven’t heard from you in a while.” It treats connection as a transaction, not a reciprocal relationship. It places the responsibility for initiation on the individual, rather than recognising it as mutual.

When society treats connection as an afterthought, it misses what actually addresses deep, intellectual, and existential loneliness. True connection is not a passive open door. It is an active, deliberate choice to meet someone where they are and engage on a level that matters.

We refuse to outsource compassion to a cliché. Instead of treating connection as an afterthought, we create space for loneliness, isolation, and mundanity to be met with genuine conversation. Here, members find like-minded souls and rediscover a sense of belonging, purpose, and meaningful human connection.

Are you lonely?

It has little to do with how many friends you have or how many people you know. It often hides in plain sight, disguised by busy lives, casual conversations, and crowded rooms.

Are you isolated?

Isolation is the feeling of being left out, overlooked, not chosen, considered too much trouble, or misunderstood. Over time, it can lead to a life deprived of meaningful human connection.

Are you lost in mundanity?

Mundanity is like drifting in a tide. If we don’t watch out, it pulls us out to sea. It can be dull and predictable, leaving us wondering whether we are treading water or living the life we want.

These feelings are common

You are not alone in these feelings; they are common experiences of loneliness, isolation, and mundanity. Our brains are wired for connection, so when those needs go unmet, it is natural to feel lonely.

You do not need to be any of the above to join

You may find our sessions a welcome alternative to endless scrolling, another night of crime dramas, or small talk that never quite reaches the conversations you really want to have.

Waiting for something to happen

I was all of the above. Frozen in procrastination, hoping something would change to break the monotony and isolation.

Eventually, I realised nobody was coming to rescue me.

Fundamentally:

We reconnect disconnected people through conversation.

We meet weekly on Zoom in small groups of up to eight members. Each session is hosted and structured to encourage open dialogue: a space where people share their stories, fears, hopes, and dreams.

There is no script

Our conversations are natural and philosophical: the sort you might have around a campfire, on a long walk with a friend, or on a train with a stranger.

If this kind of connection has rarely presented itself in your life, and you have been longing for something more meaningful, we invite you to join us.

The spark, the firelighters, the conversation starters

All sessions are run by a host who creates a safe space for philosophical conversations, challenging ideas, and the kind of thinking that can shift how members see their lives.

These are the conversations that matter most in life: the ones people rarely have.

No idea

Every session we host is unique, and most have no set agenda. They flow organically, shaped by what members need in that moment. As in all good conversations, we often veer off course, forget where we started, and find something more valuable along the way.

We explore the topics that matter: life experiences, dilemmas, solutions, and how life should feel. Sometimes we look back to move forward. At other times we wrestle with the enduring questions (life, happiness, love, justice, truth, mortality), not to answer them, but to understand them better.

Some sessions focus on escaping the mundane: unfulfilling work, relationships that have stalled, opportunities never taken. We discuss what it means to move beyond these constraints and create lives that feel authentic.

Others are more anecdotal: a chance to reflect on the week and enjoy conversation for its own sake.

The aim is simple

To create genuine conversation that disrupts loneliness, mundanity, and social isolation.

Our notes

We use notes as an aide-mémoire; they will give you an idea of the subjects we discuss throughout the week. They do not contain any identifiable information, as you will see.

This might sound silly

We laugh: we celebrate lighter moments and life’s absurdities, find humour in the mundane, and refuse to take ourselves too seriously. Laughter, we’ve learned, works surprisingly well against loneliness.

We do not, however, ridicule members, poke fun at them, or talk behind their backs — or anyone else’s, for that matter.

We listen more than we talk

In a world of increasingly polarised opinions and inflated egos, we prioritise understanding over reaction. Conversation isn’t a contest; it is a chance to learn from one another, deepen understanding, and build connection.

Where’s the evidence that talking works?

Evidence suggests that regular, supportive group discussions can help fulfil emotional and social needs of members while reducing perceived loneliness (Masi et al., 2011; Tong et al., 2021; Lasgaard et al., 2026; Blodgett et al., 2025).

Emotionally

Emotionally, these sessions can offer something many people struggle to find elsewhere: feeling truly heard, understood, and accepted. When people realise they are not alone in what they are going through, friendships and a sense of support can begin to grow, helping them feel less isolated (Sánchez-Moreno et al., 2025).

Socially

Socially, a sense of belonging and community identification has been associated with lower levels of loneliness, as well as reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression (McNamara et al., 2021; Wickramaratne et al., 2022).

Spending meaningful time with others can help people feel less alone and more supported. These interactions may also have positive effects on the brain and body, helping to ease anxiety, improve wellbeing, and strengthen a sense of connection (Kim & Sul, 2023; Delgado et al., 2023).

Biologically

On a biological level, positive group experiences can help the body release chemicals linked to bonding and wellbeing, such as oxytocin and endorphins. These can help people feel safer, more trusting, and in a better mood (Burenkova et al., 2023; Dunbar et al., 2012; Fineberg & Ross, 2017).

Supportive group contact can also lower stress levels, which may benefit overall health and help people feel more at ease (Cacioppo et al., 2015; Shields et al., 2020).

Participate on your own terms

You share only what feels comfortable. Speaking and listening are equally valued. There’s no expectation to turn your camera on. We treat conversations as confidential and ask everyone to do the same, and pseudonyms are welcome.

We change through our conversations

We talk about the big questions: the ones that rarely come up in conventional friendships.

We don’t bring judgement or egos or fixed ideas. We bring curiosity, openness, and a willingness to listen and learn from one another.

Our aim is that, by the end of each session, something will have changed, and you’ll feel different about yourself, your life, and the world around you.

Three common outcomes

What are the outcomes for our members? No two are the same, but they tend to fall into three broad categories.

They become a different person

For some, the Society becomes a catalyst for change, a shift in perspective. When members reach this point, they may feel they no longer need membership, and that is success. And should they miss the camaraderie, they will always be welcome.

They remain a member

Membership brings something valuable to daily life: something to look forward to, thoughtful conversation, inspiring discussion, practical insight, genuine connection, and a shared sense of community.

They feel this is not for them

And that is completely fine. There is no pressure to stay, no contracts and no notice periods or need to pay for attended sessions.

We are far from ‘ordinary’

We do not have ‘typical’ members

We welcome thoughtful adults aged 18 or over from all walks of life, races, classes, genders, neurotypes, sexual orientations, disabilities, faiths, and backgrounds, including those society too often overlooks.

You do not need to be academic, intellectual, or know any fancy big words. We are not interested in your financial or employment status, where you went to school, or whether you went at all. What matters is that you want to connect through thoughtful, in-depth conversation with like-minded people.

After all, we’re all just people.

We do not pretend to be perfect

In fact, we quite like ‘imperfect’: it’s where all the interesting stuff lives.

What we are is curious, thoughtful, compassionate, and empathetic.

What happens in your first session?

We’re not a charity

We don’t expect you to be ‘fine’ all the time

You can come as you are, with whatever’s real for you that day.

We hate rules

But we do have some requirements for membership to ensure everyone’s safety and comfort. You agree that different views can coexist within the Society alongside those of other members. We do not tolerate abuse, arguments, or harassment.

You may have concerns

You may have concerns about whether the Society of Lost Souls is right for you. We encourage you to explore our community and decide for yourself.

Where is the con?

No, this is not a con. But then, we would say that, wouldn’t we? So how can we reassure you?

We take the risk: There is no payment upfront, and we do not ask for your card or bank details. You can join as a full member for one month and decide for yourself whether the Society is right for you.

If you choose not to continue at any time, you can leave without paying for any of the sessions you have attended.

Not all concerns are what they seem

If you’re feeling unsure, you’re not alone. It’s perfectly natural to feel hesitant when something feels unfamiliar.

Below are answers to the most common concerns raised by those considering membership.

Keeping the community viable

From the start, we knew it mattered that members could rely on the Society and its weekly sessions.

We have seen too many brilliant community projects disappear because their funding was uncertain.

We faced a dilemma

We wanted to build a sustainable community, but we did not have the resources to do so without reliable funding. Donations can make a real difference, but they are difficult to rely on year after year.

We built the Society around a simple principle

Members contribute monthly, based on what they can afford and what they feel membership is worth to them. This helps keep the Society open, sustainable, and shaped by the people who use it.

Why membership needs funding

The Society faces unavoidable expenses: wages, NI contributions, member recruitment and onboarding, accounting, legal fees, insurance, website hosting, hardware, software, and Zoom subscriptions.

We ensure that hosts are treated with respect and dignity, and are compensated fairly.

As the founder, I give my time for free to support the Society, and any profits are invested back into the community.

At the end of the first month

If you choose to stay, decide on a monthly contribution that feels affordable and reflects the value you find in membership.

As a guideline, most members contribute between £60 and £80 a month, which helps keep the Society running for everyone. We ask you to consider your own financial circumstances, and we do not ask for proof.

How to pay

Contributions are normally made by standing order through your bank, after each month’s sessions have taken place, including your first month. You can change or cancel your standing order at any time.

Minimum risk

If your circumstances change, you are welcome to adjust your contribution.

Or if you decide the Society isn’t right for you, you can leave at any time and owe nothing.

How to cancel

You can cancel your standing order at any time. There is no notice period, and no further payments will be due.

Better value than coffee

Sometimes, the smallest act of courage is saying ‘maybe’.

Even after reading all this, you may still feel unsure, and that’s OK. Doubt isn’t a sign that you shouldn’t join. It may simply mean you’re thoughtful, cautious, and protective of your wellbeing.

If something here speaks to you, even faintly, explore that feeling. Take your time. Trust yourself.