In part of Mental Health Awareness Month, Flash Pack is attempting to put an end to New York’s ‘loneliness epidemic’ with a brand new Friendship Corner popping up in the West Village. The installation will offer a free public space for strangers to come together and learn more about one another through ‘conversation starter’ cards.
Since the Friendship Corner is all about person-to-person connection, there will be no Wi-Fi, no screens and no other sort of distractions to take you away from engaging with a stranger. The ultimate goal: come in strangers, leave as friends.
“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,” said 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.”
Flash Pack is a friendship company that has set out to create one million friendships through their group trips catered to solo travelers. And so far, they’ve been quite successful; 80% of Flash Packers keep in touch following a trip!
So why New York? According to citywide health surveys, 67% of New Yorkers experience social isolation. Flash Pack’s Friendship Corner will provide New Yorker’s with a stepping stone to put an end to that feeling. Plus, participants will receive an invitation to Flash Pack’s series of friendship-making events with local partners like Slow Girl Run Club, No More Lonely Friends, and Christopher Street Tours.
Find the Friendship Corner at 169 West 10th Street from Friday, May 17th to Sunday, June 30th, 10am-3pm daily. Find more information on Flash Pack’s website.