Women-only gig group grows to 700 members
BBCAn all-women group set up so people would not have to go to music events alone has grown to more than 700 members, with one saying it "changed my life".
The Girly Gig Army was started by Lucy Havard in Eastbourne in East Sussex and had grown to cover Brighton and Hastings.
Helen Foster, who joined after losing her husband to cancer, said: "It was two years of hell.
"This has really helped me become me again. It is the best thing ever. It has literally changed my life."
The Girly Gig Army, which started as a WhatsApp group between colleagues and organisers, said it allowed women to build confidence, enjoy live music and make friends.
Harvard said: "No woman should have to miss out on live music because she doesn't have someone to go with."
Alongside evenings at live music venues, members also meet during the day, giving newcomers the chance to get to know people before attending larger events together.
Havard said: "To start with I was sceptical that people would actually come out. But they did.
"A lot of people were very nervous to start with. They didn't know anyone, but they did it anyway.
"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."
Member Karen Bird said simple touches helped break the ice.
"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.
"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'.
"Everyone is welcome. It's like a community."
