London is facing growing levels of loneliness and declining social connection. Physical spaces are vital to bringing communities together.

More than a third of Londoners experience loneliness. Londoners’ trust in their neighbourhoods remains weak. And neighbourhood interaction is at its lowest level since records began. Londoners are lacking the social connections that hold communities together.

A lack of affordable spaces sits at the heart of this issue. Affordable pubs, clubs and music venues are becoming harder to find. Those that remain are too expensive for many Londoners. At the same time, cost of living pressures are turning socialising from an everyday part of life into an occasional luxury.

An overlooked part of the solution already exists in communities across London – social clubs.

Social clubs are member-owned, not-for-profit institutions, rooted in their communities. They offer affordable spaces for shared activities – from tea dances and beer festivals, to Pride celebrations, comedy nights and live music.

London is home to more than 70 social clubs, which already provide vital community spaces, with many wanting to do more. Sustained by generations of members and deeply connected to their neighbourhoods, they bring people of all ages and backgrounds together, helping to strengthen community life.

Yet many social clubs face significant challenges. Rising costs, volunteer capacity constraints and pressures from redevelopment threaten the future of these community institutions.

This project written in partnership with Centre for Democratic Business explores the role social clubs play in tackling loneliness, strengthening communities and creating opportunities for social connection. Through research and engagement with clubs across London, we will examine the challenges they face and identify practical ways policymakers, boroughs and other partners can help social clubs thrive and secure their future as one of London’s most valuable forms of community infrastructure.