In early 2022, London was shrouded in gloom, and Lovina Shenoy found herself in a new city, grappling with a landscape that felt both foreign and daunting.

“Back in India, you’re surrounded by family, schoolmates, and college friends—essentially, your entire support network. You’re in a place where you feel at ease,” the 39-year-old shared with the BBC.

“But stepping into a new country, it’s a stark contrast. You feel utterly isolated, as if you’re on your own.”

Having spent ten years in Dubai among a predominantly Indian expatriate community, and earlier in her hometown of Mumbai, Lovina’s move to London was triggered by her husband’s job opportunity. While the prospect was thrilling, the overwhelming city of over 8.9 million inhabitants also engendered feelings of solitude.

Longing for female companionship, Lovina appreciated the company of her husband and their two children but sensed an emotional void.

“After merely a week in London, I noticed how early the sun sets—around 2 PM,” she joked. “I thought I might end up very lonely and sad without any friends.”

In a bid to change her circumstances, she posted on her Facebook page: “Hi, I’m Lovina from Mumbai, and I spent a decade in Dubai before relocating here. Would anyone like to grab a coffee?”

To her astonishment, a flood of women expressed their eagerness to meet.

She quickly proposed a venue in Wembley and was taken aback when over 30 women showed up.

“I was astounded. Here I was in an unfamiliar country, and so many women I had never met made the effort to join me for coffee,” she recalled. “It felt like I had found my community.”

Lovina is part of one of the largest immigrant demographics in the UK.

The 2021-22 UK Census revealed that about 32% of foreign-born residents originate from five countries: Poland, Pakistan, Romania, Ireland, and India.

Among these, Indians represent the largest group, totaling approximately 965,000 individuals, or 9% of all foreign-born residents.

Following that initial coffee meetup, Lovina launched the Indian Women in London & UK (IWLUK) Facebook group in March 2022.

Soon after, she created several location-based WhatsApp groups. In just over three years, the Facebook group has attracted more than 38,000 members, with an additional 15,000 on WhatsApp.

Alongside Lovina, the group’s co-administrators, Prableen Rupra, Disha Rawat, and Nishi Gill, recognized the unique challenges faced by migrant women in a new country, prompting them to take action.

They founded IWLUK to connect expatriates with UK-born Indian women, aiming to encourage relationships through various social and professional networking events.

The community hosts several gatherings each month, including walking clubs, brunches, Bollywood-themed celebrations, mothers’ meetups, and networking opportunities for career development.

They assert that these initiatives have not only strengthened their friendships but have also fostered professional growth, creating connections for entrepreneurs.

Anu Chandrasekar, a member of the group, credits the community for inspiring her to launch her private career coaching business in 2025 after two decades in the corporate sector.

“The encouragement from these women really helped me take that leap,” she shared.

Beyond professional networking and social interactions, the group has provided essential support for women facing significant personal difficulties.

In one instance, a woman anonymously posted in the Facebook group about being thrown out of her home by her husband.

Nishi promptly reached out to her and coordinated assistance from specialists in Indian domestic violence. She ensured the woman had a safe place to stay.

“The group was her first line of support,” Nishi explained. “As an immigrant, she lacked the knowledge to approach national charities, but she was familiar with our community.”

Priya Mahajan, a member of the IWLUK’s Mum’s Club who relocated to the UK in 2022 with her infant daughter, also benefited from the shared wisdom of the group. She felt overwhelmed while shopping at a UK supermarket.

“There were so many types of milk—one in green packaging, another in blue,” Priya recounted. “In India, we only have cow’s and buffalo milk, with no distinctions like skimmed or low-fat. It left me perplexed.”

She reached out to the group for guidance, finding it easier to ask fellow Indian women than to research online.

“The group has become a surrogate family for me,” Priya expressed. “I found motherly figures, friends, and even grandmothers within this community.”

Nevertheless, some criticism has emerged regarding the group’s exclusion of men.

Lovina acknowledged this feedback and established a secondary Facebook group named Indian Professionals in London and UK, which welcomes all genders and has grown to over 53,000 members.

“I specifically created a group for Indian women because I understand our cultural festivals, like Diwali,” Lovina explained. “I can relate to the experiences of Indian women. I know how to support a community of those sharing a similar cultural background.”

Lovina’s initiative may help mitigate the severe toll loneliness takes on mental and physical well-being, an issue increasingly prevalent worldwide following the disruptions of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Data suggests that one in five individuals globally may face social isolation.

In light of this, the World Health Organization has initiated a special commission on social connection with findings projected for 2026, and the US Surgeon General has advocated for prioritizing loneliness as a public health concern.

Members of IWLUK contend that their community exemplifies grassroots support, helping women re-establish connections when many feel isolated from familiar surroundings.

“We serve as a home away from home for Indian women in the UK,” Lovina concluded. “That’s our most significant form of support.”