There are plenty of friendship apps for women on the market. Annabel knew this only too well after utilising these apps to make new friends after becoming a mother. However, the supportive online networks available to her seemed to be missing for her husband. After a series of unsuccessful 'playdates' she set up for him with other dads, she was motivated to create an app exclusively for men to make friends within their local community based on shared interests.
BOB stands for Band of Brotherhood. The idea is that men, regardless of their stage of life, can connect with each other both online and offline. They can create or attend local events, or simply find someone online to talk to.
The team at BOB consists of Annabel, Matt, and Michael. We are dedicated to leveraging our skills in tech to create a platform that fosters genuine connections and builds community among men in the UK. We know firsthand that men are a severely underrepresented group in the social inclusion space.
Male mental health in the UK is a growing crisis that is worsened by loneliness:
Suicide is the leading cause of death for men aged 20-34. Accounting for nearly 80% of all suicides despite them making up only 50% of the population.
The lasting effects of the Covid lockdown which led to the closure of many venues and other dedicated social spaces has exacerbated the feeling of isolation.
Why We Need Your Support:
Developing an app like BOB is an expensive undertaking. Despite our best efforts and personal investments, we are running out of funds to complete the project. Here’s what your support will enable us to do:
- Enhance the App: Add new features to make connecting easier.
- Partner with Charities: Collaborate with local male mental health organisations.
- Increase Visibility: Raise awareness through marketing campaigns.
- Create Community Events: Organise local gatherings to foster in-person connections.
Without additional funding, we risk delaying or even halting the development of BOB, depriving men of a vital tool to combat loneliness and improve their mental health.
Donate now and be part of BOB. Your contribution will help us finish BOB and build a stronger, more connected community for men across the UK. Together, we can combat loneliness and improve male mental health.