Get Stitched // The Stitch Blog

The Year That Was: Stitch Thrives in 2025

Hey Stitch family, it’s Andrew here.

Can you believe we’re already a month into 2026? Time is just flowing by like crazy. 

I know there’s been a lot happening in the real world out there, but I’m hoping that for you the Stitch Community has been a safe place — a counterpoint to whatever challenges you might be facing — and that the members you’ve connected with have enriched your life and brought you some joy.

For longtime members, I’m sure know enough about Stitch that’s already the case. 

For newer members, I hope this summary of our year in 2025 gives you a glimpse of what to expect this year, and how Stitch can be a positive influence in your life.

Emerging from a dark tunnel

Last year, I started annual video recap of 2024 with an image showing us emerging from a dark tunnel. 

At that time, we felt that after what seemed like the longest time of uncertainty, through the challenges of the pandemic and trying to find ways to make the community financially sustainable, that we were finally seeing light ahead. 

And you know what? 

2025 turned out to be an amazing year. For so many reasons!

For me, a moment captures that it perfectly was when I visited Hobart, Tasmania, for a midwinter festival event, and meeting members of the local community.

Hobart is an example of the sorts of smaller cities that for years had made us wonder whether we would ever be able to successfully get the community to thrive. We had tried prior to the pandemic, and while there were some promising signs, the local community never became truly established.

Then in 2025, through Stitch’s Pioneer Program, we helped local members get the community started. I wasn’t sure what would be awaiting me on this visit, but it’s fair to say that I was blown away by the welcome I received, the people I met, and the stories they shared about how much they’d already done for each other, bringing joy to both themselves and each other.

And I realized that if we could make it happen in Hobart, we could make it happen in thousands of smaller communities around the world. 

Hobart is just one example of the many cities we got started last year. Some are only just getting started, some are scratching the surface, and some are already booming. But they’re all full of joy. You can see it in the smiles on everyone’s faces.

The numbers tell an incredible story

In my video recap, you’ll see me talk about some of the metrics we use to measure our impact on Stitch. Things like the number of in-person activities, the number of new community areas, and the number of new members willing to support the community.

In every single metric of importance, 2025 was a record year for Stitch.

This is a massive achievement, because those numbers aren’t simply lines on a graph. Each statistic represents something very real, and very important: Stitch members getting out of their comfort zone to build and form positive social connections.

Last year alone, Stitch members organized over 22,000 in-person activities and events. 

We often use in-person activities as a benchmark of success, as they are the hardest things to convince new members to do, while at the same time they have the biggest impact on improving the lives of our members and helping them build new relationships.. 

It’s easy to send a message online, but convincing yourself to get out of your comfort zone, drive across town, and meet a group of complete strangers? To most people that feels daunting (even though it shouldn’t, as the Stitch Community is built on the values of being kind, friendly, and welcoming, so you’re going to be welcomed no matter where you go).

But the thing about social connections is this: once you’ve met these “strangers” once, they’re not strangers any longer. And seeing them again becomes easier, and easier. 

Before you know it, you’ve got some great new friends.

Creating more communities

In 2025, Stitch members joined in hundreds of new towns and cities all around the world. Places like:

  • Paraparaumu, New Zealand
  • Shalford, UK
  • Carlingford, Ireland
  • North Haven, Connecticut, USA
  • Brossard, Quebec, Canada

…and many, many more, with new Stitchers looking to meet like-minded companions over 50. 

More activities

In 2025 the Community held DOUBLE the number of in-person activities compared to the year before. This explosion of events, gatherings and meetups meant tens of thousands of members got to share good times and create new memories – how good is that!

More social connections

Tens of thousands of new people signed up to Stitch to check out interest groups and discussions for over 50s, in their area and online!

These new Stitchers were welcomed by over 700 Stitch Welcomers who have volunteered to join the Stitch Welcomer Program, and make people feel at home when they arrive at Stitch. This is incredible work and makes a real difference to people arriving at Stitch.

Spreading the joy

Twice the number of members decided to host their own event or activity last year — an astonishing 4,000 people! 

These are Stitch members putting in the time and energy to make enjoyable, fun events for others to connect and feel part of a supportive community. What an incredible effort.

Remember, friendships are formed, not found

You form friendships by doing something you enjoy with other people who share the same interest. If you do that again and again, you very quickly find you’ve built meaningful connections that transform your daily life.

It’s all thanks to you

I was feeling pretty burnt out by the end of last year, working every Saturday and Sunday from February through December just to keep the lights on. 

At times I wondered: was it worth it?

But over the New Year, I took a step back to look at what we achieved together (and when I say we, I mean you), and I realized 2025 was genuinely amazing. 

Obviously, there are challenging things happening in the greater world, and 2025 brought a lot of sadness to many people, for a variety of reasons.

But within our community, we can only control what we control. And if we’re all creating positive impacts and growing that impact, we can make a difference.

The magic doesn’t happen with software alone. The Stitch team can build the platform and fight the scammers and handle all that technical stuff, but the real magic happens with all the members who understand the Stitch vision, and show with their actions that we are right to believe in the power of kindness and community. 

That means you.

Nothing happens in this community without the involvement of every member. 

Every event you organize, every activity you attend, every new member you welcome — that’s what makes the Stitch community extraordinary.

Looking forward to this year

We’re not just emerging from the tunnel anymore. 

We’re out in the sunshine

And 2026 is shaping up to be even better.

We’re continuing to launch new communities through the Pioneer Program. We’re seeing smaller cities thrive alongside major metropolitan areas. We’re watching members form the kinds of deep, genuine friendships that make life worth living.

To new members: WELCOME

Come along to a few activities in your area. If there isn’t anything happening just yet, you’ll receive invites via email when members start organizing them. And if you’re feeling inspired, you can always be the one to get things started. If you’d like help kick off a new Stitch local area, click here.

To longtime members: THANK YOU

Your dedication to building this community, your willingness to organize events, and your openness to welcoming new members, enriches lives in ways you might not even realize. 

You are, quite literally, amazing.

So here’s to another fantastic year ahead. Let’s keep creating joy, forming friendships, and proving that life after 50 is full of possibility, connection, and adventure.

2026: the year of friendships

Stitch is a social community built by all of us, working together to support and be there for each other, and spread some joy.

That can mean having fun and an incredible variety of activities, whether that’s hikes, book clubs, dance parties, gardening groups, wine tastings, cycle tours, pottery classes, discussions, pasta making workshops, boat parties, meditation groups, drag nights, gallery tours, lectures, charity events, movie nights, dinner parties, coffees, chats, dog walks, garden walks, harbour cruises, sunset hikes and everything in between!

If you hosted or attended an event last year — thank you for creating the Stitch magic.

Let’s keep spreading joy in 2026! 

4 thoughts on “The Year That Was: Stitch Thrives in 2025”

  1. Your update presentation showing how Stitch has grown is wonderfully informative. I’m so happy I joined Stitch and I hope to start organizing an activity in the early Spring. We’ve had so much snow and freezing temps here in New England which have held me back. Best regards, Loretta

    1. That’s wonderful to hear Loretta! It’s definitely challenging in the winter time in New England, but looking forward to hearing how you go as things start to get warmer 😊. Take care, Andrew.

Leave a comment