A new app is hoping to get Salford residents meeting new people in real life again, forming in-person friendships and encourage spontaneity.
Linkup, created by Ben Whatson, 28, and Jack Peagam, 27, is set to launch in early December.
Mr Peagam explained: “Linkup is an alternative to traditional social media, designed to encourage users to look beyond the screen and focus on in-person relationships.
Co-founder Ben Whatson said: “Social media actually makes it harder, not easier, to meet new people, and the world is more lonely than ever.”
Data from Salford City Council show that 35 per cent of Salford’s population suffer poor mental health due to feeling lonely or isolated.
The roll-out strategy will see ambassadors appointed to at Salford University and other universities across Manchester.
The strategy hopes to expand the app’s reach to University students who are struggling to find new friends and suffering with loneliness.
@linkupapp The app that lets you meet new people, today. Launching this summer. Link in bio to pre-register 🚀 #fyp #foryou #swipe #linkup #mobileapp ♬ Aesthetic – Tollan Kim
Whatson acknowledged that the app presents a significant change that could take time to adapt to. He continued: “I believe once people get used to the concept, the world will start to adapt – similar to the way tech changed the world of dating.”
Linkup has been in the making for 18 months and has caught the attention of high-profile investors such as UK rappers, Krept & Konan. The entrepreneurs recently did a ‘soft launch’ to a small group of people to test the app and get feedback from users to assure it is ready for its official launch in December.
The app is available to download on the App store and Google Play Store.
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