Introducing The Friendship Corner: a world-first space for meaningful connection

Nearly a quarter of the world’s population struggles with loneliness , according to a new Meta-Gallup poll – in an epidemic that is both silent, and coated in stigma. So many of us feel alone, but at the same time, we don’t talk or do much about it.

With this trend on the rise, Flash Pack has come up with a novel solution to help. From May 17-June 30 this year, we’ll be running the world’s first Friendship Corner in New York City; one of the loneliest places on the planet. The first-of-its-kind NYC pop-up, situated in the heart of West Village, will offer a public, intimate space for New Yorkers to arrive as strangers and leave as friends.?

Sound ambitious? Then you don’t know enough about Flash Pack. For the past ten years, our group adventure travel company has made friendship and community into something of an art form. We began by focusing on the dynamic within our small groups of solo travellers aged in their 30s and 40s.?

SO MANY OF US ARE LONELY BUT IT’S NOT SOMETHING WE TALK ABOUT

We quickly realized we’d hit upon something special. When people from different walks of life (but often at similar life stages) come together in a new and exciting environment – away from daily distractions and with newfound time to connect – the stage for friendship is set. This is especially true if you throw some unique experiences into the equation (like canyoning in Jordan’s Wadi Mujib , staying on a secret island in the Philippines , or cave dining together in Patagonia ).?

A massive 80% of Flashpackers stay in touch with one another after their trip has ended; despite arriving as strangers just a week or so before. Time and again, members of our global community tell us that their group was the favorite part of their adventure – despite not necessarily expecting that chemistry. The ability to connect meaningfully with new people, and make friends with those you might not come across in day-to-day life, can be life-changing.?

It’s this backdrop that led Flash Pack to embark on its mission to create one million friendships across the globe; all via the power of community and adventure. Our new NYC Friendship Corner forms part of this vision, carving out space for busy professionals to escape the hustle of the city and share deep conversations.

THE FRIENDSHIP CORNER IS A SPACE TO SHARE AND GET VULNERABLE

The Friendship Corner, which also happens to be America’s smallest retail space, is deliberately designed without wifi connection, screens or other distractions. Instead, it’s kitted out with just two chairs and a pack of “conversation starter” cards to help break the ice. And if that idea sounds daunting, fear not. The beauty of the Friendship Corner is that everyone you meet there will be in the same boat.?

We’re all looking to learn, to get to know one another, to make friends and share those amazing conversations that happen out of nowhere by chance. It’s this exact vulnerability that helps us to connect more quickly and profoundly. It’s the serendipity of people crossing paths in life, and who share a similar mindset.

“In today’s fast-paced world, it can be easy to feel disconnected from those around us – particularly in a city as big and as busy as New York,” notes Lee Thompson, co-founder of Flash Pack.?“We need to collectively lean into the problem of loneliness – taking that first step to get out there, get vulnerable and get talking to one another. The Friendship Corner provides an ideal avenue to do exactly that.”

IN TODAY’S FAST-PACED WORLD, IT’S EASY TO FEEL DISCONNECTED

In a happy twist of fate, the Friendship Corner space was also sourced via a recommendation from New Yorkers who responded to co-founder Lee’s “Will You Be My Friend?” NYC viral video late last year.?So, are you ready to open up? To meet someone new who could be your next running buddy, pickleball partner or dinner club pal? Then pop along to our Friendship Corner at 169 West 10th Street, beginning May 17.?

Participants who take part in this unique project will also be invited to a series of friendship-making events between Flash Pack and local partners. These include Slow Girl Run Club , No More Lonely Friends , Christopher Street Tours and more – with scope to connect with many New Yorkers, no matter what your passion.

Don’t live in New York? No worries. We’ll have more friendship events designed to connect solo professionals in cities around the world coming soon – stay tuned on our socials . And here’s to the life-enhancing power of friendship! Long may it roll…

Flash Pack is a global travel company that specializes in small group adventures for like-minded people in their 30s and 40s. Find out more about our mission to form one million worldwide friendships .

Images: Flash Pack