<\/p>\n
Havard said: “To start with I was sceptical that people would actually come out. But they did.<\/p>\n
“A lot of people were very nervous to start with. They didn’t know anyone, but they did it anyway.<\/p>\n
“What has been absolutely remarkable is that every single event we have had, people have got together and it’s like they’ve been friends for years.”<\/p>\n
Member Karen Bird said simple touches helped break the ice.<\/p>\n
“No one wants to go out on their own. No one wants to walk into a bar and not know anybody. You feel a bit awkward,” she said.<\/p>\n
“That’s why we have the t-shirts and the badges so people know somebody and they can just come up and say, ‘Hi, I’m Jane’, ‘I’m Karen’ or ‘I’m Lucy’.<\/p>\n
“Everyone is welcome. It’s like a community.”<\/p>\n
Follow BBC Sussex on <\/i>Facebook<\/i>, external<\/span><\/a>, <\/i>X<\/i>, external<\/span><\/a>, and on <\/i>Instagram<\/i>, external<\/span><\/a> and listen to BBC Radio Sussex <\/i>on Sounds<\/i><\/a>. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n