Barnet man finds community tackling male loneliness
Miren Shah, 29, joined Shoulder to Shoulder after relationship breakdown left him isolated.
Trust 40Craft 60Hype 20How this was reported ▾
The central claim is attributed to a named individual, but lacks corroboration from other sources or documents.
How well corroborated and evidenced the reporting is. Higher is better.
The article clearly separates fact from comment and provides specific details about the individual's experience.
Context, balance and separation of fact from comment. Higher is better.
The language is measured, with a headline that accurately reflects the article's content.
How far presentation runs ahead of substance. Lower is better.
1 source assessed · methodology
Miren Shah, a 29-year-old civil servant from Barnet, has spoken about his struggle with loneliness and male friendships following the end of a decade-long relationship. He described feeling isolated and finding it difficult to connect with men he perceived as “hard-faced” and emotionally reserved, often being labelled himself as "too sensitive".
Shah, who entered his long-term relationship shortly after completing his studies, found himself unprepared to navigate life independently. He realised he was craving general connection, both emotional and physical, and questioned how to build friendships as an adult. This yearning for connection was highlighted by a survey of 2,000 men, which indicated that almost half desired more physical affection, and one in ten could not recall their last hug.
British Heart Foundation to close Barnet and Finchley stores
The charity plans to shut 150 outlets nationwide due to rising costs and changing customer habits.
Finding a Community
In December 2025, Shah discovered Shoulder to Shoulder, a London-based social club established by Tom Stroud and Dan Shrigley. The organisation aims to combat male isolation by fostering genuine platonic connections among its approximately 2,000 members across the city. Shah found the group after encountering a relatable post on Reddit about men experiencing dwindling friendship circles and creeping loneliness.
Recounting his initial experience at a Shoulder to Shoulder event in Hyde Park, Shah described being surrounded by around 200 men. He stated that the event was transformative, making him feel heard and understood. He found a space where he could openly express affection, share deep conversations, and receive similar warmth from other members without feeling it was unusual or excessive.
Halloween event at Lewis of London in Barnet
The farm will host pumpkin picking, spooky games, and limited-edition ice cream flavours across October.
Questions this report answers
+What challenges did Miren Shah face?
Miren Shah, a 29-year-old from Barnet, experienced significant loneliness and difficulty forming male friendships after his 10-year relationship ended. He felt he did not conform to traditional male expectations and was labelled as 'too sensitive'.
+What does the survey on male affection indicate?
A survey of 2,000 men revealed that nearly half of them crave more physical affection in their lives. Furthermore, one in ten men surveyed could not recall the last time they received a hug.
+What is Shoulder to Shoulder?
Shoulder to Shoulder is a London-based social club for men, founded by Tom Stroud and Dan Shrigley. Established in December 2025, it aims to combat male isolation and foster platonic connections, currently having around 2,000 members across London.
Barnet Press News Desk
This article was written at the Barnet Press news desk from the reporting of the outlets listed below it. Drafting is done by a language model under human editorial supervision — there is no reporter behind this byline, and we would rather say so than invent one.
How stories are produced and scoredWho runs Barnet PressCorrections
Barnet conditions
Loading live conditions…
More Coverage in Lifestyle & Food
British Heart Foundation to close Barnet and Finchley stores
Halloween event at Lewis of London in Barnet
Barnet Woman's Cancer Battle: From Blocked Duct Fear to Lifelong Treatment
