FABRIK, an early-stage venture-backed startup, have launched a pioneering social impact initiative in London in response to the growing epidemic of loneliness caused by the digital revolution and accelerated by the global pandemic. By partnering with local community builders, civic organizations, influencers and thought leaders, FABRIK aims to cultivate deeper, more meaningful communities and repurpose vacant spaces for social interaction, collaboration and creativity.
Recognizing London as one of the world’s ‘loneliest cities’, FABRIK is driven to make a significant impact. Their mission is to transform these spaces into dynamic hubs for social interaction, collaboration, and creativity, with the goal of fostering a genuine sense of belonging.
“Our world is grappling with a growing epidemic of loneliness, exacerbated by the shift towards remote work and virtual connections,” says Peter Espersen, Co-Founder of FABRIK. “FABRIK was born from a profound understanding that we need to transition our communities from virtual spaces to tangible, real-life interactions. The increasing vacancy of spaces that were once bustling with activity presents us with an opportunity to repurpose them for this very mission. For us at FABRIK, bridging this gap isn’t just a feature or a pitch—it’s our core mission. We’re thrilled to embark on this journey in London, a city celebrated for its incredible diversity and rich cultural landscape, filled with extraordinary, underutilized spaces that can be transformed into hubs of community and connection.”
FABRIK provides a curated portfolio of the city’s world-class spaces that can be used by individuals, groups, or organizations to convene, engage, and interact. To kickstart their launch, FABRIK will host a series of intimate gatherings and salons throughout July and August, curated to ignite engaging discussions on the topics of gathering, belonging, and loneliness.
FABRIK is dedicated to nurturing communities by addressing the unique needs of their stakeholders and tailoring their offerings accordingly. They provide a platform for community builders to activate, enable, and promote communities of any scale, as well as an avenue for individuals to discover inspiring voices and join local networks of people who congregate to connect, create, learn, and flourish. For space owners, FABRIK presents fresh opportunities to activate and monetize underutilized or vacant properties.
FABRIK invites individuals, community organizations, and businesses alike to join the movement in combating loneliness and creating a more connected world. Through partnerships with local charities and community organizations, they aim to align their initiative with a broader vision of positive social impact, striving to create opportunities for individuals who might otherwise face challenges in accessing such spaces.
FABRIK is an early-stage venture-backed startup that is devoted to addressing the challenges of underutilized spaces and the decline in human connection brought on by the digital revolution and accelerated by the global pandemic. Their real-life community platform aims to foster meaningful interactions, support personal and professional growth, and help build a stronger sense of belonging in a rapidly changing world.
Today, FABRIK have launched their pioneering social impact initiative in London in an effort to restore human connection and community in a time of increasing isolation and digital dominance. Through their mission to repurpose vacant spaces for social interaction, collaboration and creativity, FABRIK is actively combating the pervasive issues of loneliness and isolation.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.