Macclesfield entrepreneur launches new community helping solo adults meet beyond the dating apps

A new Macclesfield-based membership community is helping solo adults meet new people through shared experiences instead of dating apps.

Founded by local entrepreneur Hazel Owen, DOLO brings together solo adults aged 30+ for dinners, walks, games nights and a growing programme of activities across Macclesfield, Congleton, Leek and Buxton. The community launched on 1 July with 45 founding members aged between 37 and 72.

DOLO – "Do it solo" – encourages people to come along independently while making it easy to share experiences with others.

Hazel created DOLO after becoming frustrated by the limited opportunities for solo adults to meet new people outside dating apps, and by the assumption that being single is simply a waiting room until the next relationship.

Hazel said:

"Somewhere along the way, we've started treating being single as something that needs fixing,"

"I think we've forgotten that life shouldn't be a waiting room until your next relationship.

"I wanted to create the kind of community I'd been looking for myself - somewhere you can meet new people naturally while getting on with your life. No swiping. No pressure. Just real people sharing experiences together.

"If relationships happen, that's wonderful. But that's never been the point."

Since launching, members have built rafts at Tittesworth Reservoir, explored local walking routes from Pym Chair, competed over shuffleboard and board games, and enjoyed DOLO's signature weekly dinners - small groups of up to six people meeting at independent restaurants across the area.

DOLO launches at a time when loneliness is becoming an increasing concern. While many solo adults have friends and family, they often lack simple, regular opportunities to meet new people and expand their social circles.

DOLO fills that gap by making it easy for members to book activities and simply turn up, removing much of the awkwardness that can come with attending social events alone.

Importantly, DOLO is not a dating platform.

As the DOLO team puts it:

"Falling for a fellow member is entirely at your own risk."

Supporting local businesses is also central to the community. DOLO's regular dinners are hosted at independent restaurants, while many of its activities are delivered in partnership with independent local businesses across the region. Local businesses interested in partnering with DOLO are invited to contact Hazel directly.

Membership costs £30 per month, with the first month free and no long-term commitment. Members can join regular dinners, social events and curated local experiences, with externally provided activities carrying their own ticket price where applicable.

The next community event, Meet the Members Plus, takes place on 9 August. Existing members are invited to bring along a solo friend, giving prospective members the opportunity to experience the community before joining.

DOLO has evolved from Hazel Owen's earlier venture, Huzzah!! Singles, which built a loyal local following through social events before developing into a broader community centred on helping solo adults get more out of life.

New members can sign up at:

https://app.heartbeat.chat/dolo/p/member

DOLO is a subscription-based social membership community for solo adults aged 30+ across Macclesfield and the surrounding area. Built around the four pillars of Connection, Confidence, Curiosity and Community, DOLO helps members meet new people through shared experiences including weekly dinners, social events and local activities. It is not a dating platform.