Hull Girlies changing lives by tackling loneliness

A new social group is tackling women's loneliness through friendships and fun activities.

Hull Girlies was launched only in January but already every event sells out within hours.

Mira Rumianceva was the brains behind the group.

"The feedback that I've had is incredible. Some of it has made me cry. It's so nice to know that these events are having such an impact on women," she said.

The girls have done activities ranging from jewellery-making and hiking to goat yoga and pole classes.

Mira, 26, said she was inspired to start the group after seeing a similar one on social media.

"I saw a girl's video on Instagram. I think she lived in Berlin and I remember thinking it'd be so nice if Hull had something like that," she said.

"From there it's just taken off. All the events sell out within a few hours of being posted."

She added: "The demand is definitely growing, so I am trying to put on more events just to meet that demand."

Mira wants the group to be a "safe, welcoming and inclusive" space, and it seems to be working.

"I've had girls who wanted to book on to events but felt really anxious, and then afterwards they would message me to say that as soon as they've come in and started chatting with the girls, they felt so safe, comfortable and included, and not once did they feel lonely," she said.

"They just felt like they spent the night with their friends."

Shay Flora, 28, said Hull Girlies was a perfect fit for her busy work schedule.

"I go to work, I come home, I make my dinner, and then I'll do that through the week, and then I'll go down to Sheffield to see my boyfriend," she said.

"So the time for socialising with girls in Hull isn't that much if you're not sure where to look, but this has just been perfect on a weeknight after work."

Daisy Glover, 19, said the group had helped her find friends who shared her interests.

"I've met so many other women who enjoy the same sorts of things as me. I'm not a big drinker, so it's quite nice to meet people and do craft things," she said.

"I have ADHD so I find it hard to keep the same friends, so I think sometimes it's a lot easier to come to these sorts of things and see people who maybe you wouldn't speak to in a normal situation."

Daisy, who is a university student, said it could often be hard when "you haven't stayed friends with the same people through school or you've moved away".

She added that many girls struggled to socialise at university, so groups such as Hull Girlies could really help.

Many of the girls in the group are not originally from Hull and have found the events a great way to meet people in their new home.

Vera Lukashenko, 21, said attending the meet-ups had helped her social skills and allowed her to connect with someone from her home country.

"I'm an introvert so, for me, socialising sometimes can be difficult, so actually going out and speaking to different people has helped me to improve my network and my social skills," she said.

"I actually found a friend who speaks the same language as me. It's so good to have a group such as this, so you don't feel lonely."

The group's upcoming events include a Muay Thai class, speed friending, Pilates and a picnic.

Mira wants everyone to feel welcome.

"All women are welcome here – all ages and all backgrounds. This is a safe space for everyone," she said.

"Whether you're new to Hull or you just want to expand your social network, Hull Girlies is for you."

Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.