Shelby-Leigh Bradley loves live music – but has always struggled to find people to go to gigs with her.
Now the 26-year-old, of Maryport, has come up with a unique solution to help her and others in the same boat in Cumbria.
Taking inspiration from other groups across the country, Gals Who Gig aims to connect women in Cumbria to go to live music events together.
Shelby is also hearing impaired – another reason she was motivated to start the group.
She said: “It’s ironic really because I wear hearing aids in both my ears and people think it’s weird because you like music so much, but if I ever went deaf, I would want to go deaf knowing I’d listened to everything I wanted to and that I didn’t miss out on anything.
“When I first got my hearing aids I went for a walk by the sea and there was so new many sounds I could hear, we really do take our senses for granted so I think that’s part of what motivated me to set it up.”
Members of the group can share the details of a concert they’d like to go to or offer tickets to find a new friend to go with.
Shelby added that she often felt it was a struggle to find things to do and meet new people in the county.
She said: “It’s harder when you get older to make new friends. I just want to spread the word because I have no doubt in my mind there will be people like me looking for something like this.
“In cities you have student scenes and young people who are specifically there to make new friends and meet new people and unless you go to a university, you don’t get to be a part of the student scene.
“Even just finding hobby groups, I’ve found that hard. There’s all these groups for kids in Cumbria, but if you’re over 21 there’s just nothing.”
Shelby hopes to partner with music venues across the county to encourage women to get out and enjoy live music with others so they don’t miss out.
She said: “Everyone says there will be another time to go but don’t put it off. With music, you’ve got to take it while it’s there because musicians and bands don’t tour forever and you will kick yourself if you don’t go. Appreciate what you’ve got and don’t put it off, make the most of it.”
Gals who Gig is a private gig and all members are vetted before joining.
