Last week was national Loneliness Awareness Week (August 5 to 11), an initiative aimed at understanding why – in our hyperconnected world – so many of us feel lonely. It’s an issue Maxime Barbier and Adrien De Oliveira understood all too well when they started Timeleft in Lisbon in 2021. Now, it’s landed on the Gold Coast…
Timeleft started with a simple idea: connecting people who feel alone in big cities.
“We wanted to help people make genuine connections, not just through apps but in real life,” says Alessia Briano, Timeleft Country Manager for Australia and New Zealand. “Originally, it was all about connecting people with similar dreams or bucket list items, but we found that those dreams were often too vague. So, we shifted our focus to group dinners in restaurants because, well, everyone loves a good meal and it’s a great way to bring people together.”
The concept really is that simple. Every Wednesday, Timeleft organises dinners for people in big cities (where they have found loneliness is the worst). You don’t need to worry about who you’ll be dining with – their algorithm does the matchmaking for you, based on your interests and preferences.
“Just grab your ticket, show up at the restaurant, and enjoy a meal with new people,” says Alessia. “No swiping, no photos, and no endless chats – just good food and great company!”
The results, so far, have been amazing. Alessia tells us about a guy who attended 50 dinners and went from being really shy to feeling super confident and social, and another person who was going through a tough time and found new friends and support through Timeleft dinners.
“It’s amazing to see how these dinners can truly change lives and help people find their social groove. My favourite user is a 72-year-old woman in Adelaide that keeps coming back week after week.”
But for all of its success, Timeleft has a big fight ahead. Australia is in the midst of a loneliness epidemic, and young people in big cities are being hit the hardest. And we’re not alone – loneliness is a problem in 113 countries, at least.
“It’s a bit ironic, isn’t it?” says Alessia. “We’re surrounded by people all the time, yet it can feel like we’re just floating around in our own bubbles. In big cities, everyone’s rushing around, and it’s easy to feel disconnected.”
We can connect virtually, sure – but it’s just not the same. We learned that during the pandemic, ditching apps like Zoom and Houseparty the moment we could see our loved ones face-to-face again.
People are really craving genuine connections, Alessia says, and Timeleft offers that in a super straightforward way. The proof is in the pudding – the app has expanded to 170 cities and counting.
“The idea of meeting new people in a relaxed setting like a restaurant, without the pressure of dating apps or social media, has struck a chord,” she adds. “It’s all about making it easy to connect and feel less alone, and that’s something a lot of people are looking for.”
Including Gold Coasters, evidently – the app launched here about a month ago, and the response has been fantastic so far.
“It’s a vibrant city with a great community vibe,” says Alessia. “People here are really open to meeting new friends and trying out something different, and it’s been great to see that energy and enthusiasm. We’re thrilled to keep expanding and bringing people together.
“If you haven’t tried it yet, give it a go – you might be surprised at how wonderful it feels to connect with others over a meal.”
Once you fill out your details on the website or app, all you need to do is show up – Timeleft handles the rest. It’s a relaxed and fun way to be around new people without any expectation.
“Sometimes, taking that first step can lead to really great connections,” Alessia adds. “It is really about being open and trying to put yourself out there.”