Share Your Story, Get to hear others stories… with ordinary folk, whom you would not otherwise get to meet…
You can make a tremendous impact – yes the common Joe or Jane Muslim – to make the best investment of your time by sharing aspects of your life, your story, so that others can get to know the real ‘us’.
No one needs experience or training to share their story in a simple informal social setting – one to one, or in a small group.This isn’t a guided tour; it’s a friendly hand, a shared cup of tea, and a genuine conversation between neighbours from different parts of the country.
The Ask..
🤝 Build a Bridge
There can be 101 reasons, why someone may not cross the bridge and get to know someone:
The Netflix binge was just too tempting!
Modern life is too busy.
And then there is the observation that some divisions are perceived; and some demarcations are artificial. Whatever the case, let’s use the greatest opportunity in history – the internet + easy travel – to get to know people.
☕ Rediscover Your City
You will see Birmingham through fresh eyes. You’ll find yourself pointing out the beauty in the canals, the history in the architecture, and the incredible diversity you see every day.
🗓️ Minimal Commitment
This is a one-off, low-pressure commitment. We match you based on your availability and location. You don’t need to be a history expert—just friendly!
What will I be doing ?
A host is simply a local resident who is willing to dedicate a couple of hours to meeting a guest from a different part of the country – whom they would otherwise not meet!
Done simply:
If you are in – say – Birmingham, walking the canals and sharing a bit of Birmingham’s industrial history.
Meeting for a cup of coffee and a chat, in your lunch hour, or after work.
Inviting them for lunch or dinner, on the weekend at your home.
If you are in – say – Birmingham, walking the canals and sharing a bit of Birmingham’s industrial history.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
What is Involved?
We’ve made the sign-up process quick and easy.
- Sign Up & Tell Us About Yourself: Complete the quick form below. Tell us the basics about yourself and your general availability.
- Help us send out more Invites, by posting 20 postcards or letters to random people in the UK (we will email you the random addresses).
- Get Matched: We handle the logistics, matching you with a guest whose visit dates and age/person align with yours.
Meet & Share: We facilitate the secure introduction via email. You arrange the meetup!
What is the cost to be a Host?
There are three costs as a Host:
- Sending Out the Invites
- Registration
- Your budget for hosting the guest
This is a humble individual effort.
The ‘invites’ are postcards or letters which each Host (individually themselves) sends to random addresses in the UK (we send you the random addresses at registration). The postage is 87 pence per postcard/letter.
You are requested to send out at least 20 invites. The postage and paper cost would be £22. The more you can afford comfortably, the better. If you can do 200 over 10 months that would be brilliant (cost £220).
A postcard or letter through each UK postal address is the only way that we can reach every UK person. We suggest you send a postcard sized invitation inside an envelope (Royal Mail no longer has postcard rate).
There is a registration cost of £1 per person who registers as a Guest or Host.
How much you can afford (or wish) to budget/spend hosting is down to you. As simple as a coffee, or a couple of people sharing your daily meal.
How many Guests can I host?
There is no minimum or maximum number.
Guests are asked how far they can travel, and then matched with available Hosts.
How much should I budget for hosting?
It is really up to you. As simple as a coffee, to a diner at your home, to a tour of your hometown/dinner at a restaurant, invite them to your wedding (you know – not the fancy one – but the simple DIY feast in the local hall – where numbers don’t count).
The purpose of the initiative is to get people to meet and talk frankly – and hear the real stories, reasons etc.
What will we talk about?
We live in a free country 😉
That you and your guest talk about current affairs, difficult topics is actually the point of this!
At work or in business, we have to be diplomatic, or play a role, since the objective is work or business.
Even with our direct neighbours, we might have to be diplomatic or reserved.
In this social setting there is a reason to be frank. It’s like sharing a story or your account with a fellow train traveller. You can be honest and frank, in a polite and considerate manner. Politics, religion, who will win the cup, migration, doing business, cost of living…. it is only when we (whoever we are) share the real reasons, that others can compare and contrast, with what they know from other sources.
We can’t give you a prescriptive dialogue to have. That is what political parties and sales managers do! We want you to have genuine real conversations.
We truly believe that the more genuine conversations happen, the more the probability that the right options will become clearer.
Who can’t be a host (or guest)?
Anyone who is restricted by law.
Specifically if they are required to be on any public register.
Who does the project align with?
It is independent.
The project is non-partisan (parties, policies, religions, religious leanings). It has started as a simple grassroots initiative, and will remain independent of any organisation.
It is open to all. It’s only purpose is to get people, who would not otherwise meet to meet and talk.