The League Of Conversationalists And Lovers of Stories or The Locals for short, is a Community Interest Company based in Nw3, North London.
Our vision is a world where no one feels isolated, where every generation feels valued, and communities thrive through meaningful connections that celebrate diversity, wisdom, and shared humanity.
We hold monthly events to connect multi-generational neighbours, 16+, through storytelling, conversation, and laughter. Our events are relaxed, inclusive, fun and always respectful. We hope you will join us!
The Locals is motivated by five core pillars:
Shared Joy
Life can be lonely and feel heavy. Let's share some joy, together.
Connected Generations
Bridge age gaps through shared stories and values.
Life Celebrated
Honour wisdom gained through life experiences.
Strengthed Community
Build lasting bonds among neighbours where
Challenged Stereotypes
Aging shouldn't be looked down upon. We thinking it's a privilege and that we're all stronger when we can learn from, have fun with, and rely upon each other.
Monthly Locals Catch Ups
Drinks and light snacks provided. Suitable for NW3 residents and business members 16+.
1
Monthly Locals Catch Up
Each Locals Event is 2 hours and is started with a question or theme to spark conversation. Locals can share experiences, memories, or just listen to neighbours' stories.
2
Give/Get Request
Whether it's asking for someone to walk with them to the next event, or help figure out how to do something- each Meet-up provides an opportunity for any Local to ask for, or offer to, support the community in a specific way.
3
Community Building
The greatest gift that The Locals' founding members could hope for would be that Locals form new friendships at our events. So, don't hesitate to set up your own meetings outside our monthly Catch Ups.
Our Core Values
Inclusivity
We aim to include all interested community members from NW3, ensuring everyone feels welcome and valued. Inclusivity goes beyond demographics and backgrounds—it embraces individuals of all abilities, especially those who may be less mobile.
Respect
Mutual respect is at the core of our interactions, fostering a safe and open space for sharing. We honor the wisdom and experiences of community members, treating their stories and lives with dignity.
Giving Back
We believe in the power of giving back to create the community we want, and are intentional about including as many local businesses, organisations, and community members in our program as possible.
Get Involved
Sponsor a monthly Catch Up Session IN KIND
Donate beverages, snacks or chairs. When doing so, you can offer a promotion at the event to attract members to your local business and/or send a representative to the session to talk about your business and the ways it gives back to NW3.
Donate money so we can buy food, drinks and rent chairs for an event. When doing so, you can offer a promotion at the event to attract members to your local business and/or send a representative to the session to talk about your business and the ways it gives back to NW3.
Volunteer at a Tea Session
Help guests find seats, create conversations with others, work the food/drinks space, accompany less mobile guests from/to their home/the event and help with setup/take down.
Want to just help us keep the program going? You can always donate funds which will go to the cost of refreshments, light snacks and chairs when sponsors aren't available, administrative work to support the charity, promotional activities like printing fliers, forming partnerships with aligned organisations, and/or investing in additional events for the community beyond the monthly Catch Up.
Why Only NW3? (Want to start your own The Locals Chapter)?
We believe in giving back to our local community. By focusing The Locals on NW3 as a common thread , it provides all interested members an immediate commonality from which to build new connections. We are a volunteer driven organization and are currently only able to provide enough time and energy to support NW3.
However if you are interested in opening Locals chapter in your community , we provide a "Starter Pack" program for you to use yourself. While it is free, we do ask that you consider making a donation (COMING SOON) in exchange for the starter pack to help us fund our activities.
As part of the Starter Pack, you will see that we ask you to use the same branding and naming conventions. Additionally, we ask that you share the link to your Locals Chapter with us so that we can link to you on our website. Good luck!
Starter Pack: COMING SOON!
Why Sponsor?
Thank you for considering supporting The Locals (League Of Conversationalists And Lovers of Stories). Your generous support doesn't only allow us to help further our mission, but it offers NW3 businesses and services the following opportunities:
• Showcase your role as a community leader • Enhance your brand’s reputation as a hub for community engagement • Exhibit your dedication to social responsibility • Demonstrate your commitment to combating loneliness and enriching our community.
For businesses and service providers, beyond your donations, we provide the optional choice to join our event and:
• Talk about your ties to NW3. • Promote your products or services to the audience. • Offer promotions to members to help drive engagement with your brand.
Tiama has called Hampstead home since 2018, falling for its village charm. Meeting people across NW3, she saw a rich community eager to connect but lacking a space to gather across generations. Inspired by her own multi-generational friendships, she founded The Locals with a personal motto in mind: Age is a privilege, denied to many. By day, she's a Chief Product and Technology Officer, and she worked with the LOCALS’ founding team to create a scalable toolkit for other communities to create their own Chapter. Connect with her on LinkedIn or email: [email protected]
“I believe in the power of sharing our experiences and realising we’re not alone in facing life’s challenges. There’s something magical about bringing together different generations—each offering unique perspectives and wisdom. With mutual support, the world feels a little less lonely and a lot more manageable. My hope is that The LOCALS becomes this gift for everyone who joins.”
Founding Member: Milton X Melendez
Milton has called NW3 home since 2017, and he’s been busy ever since! As a creative consultant, he loves diving into storytelling projects across the arts, charity, and business worlds. His mission? To help people share their stories in fresh and exciting ways. A big fan of collaboration, Milton teams up with everyone from galleries and schools to universities and historians. He believes that great stories come from working together, and he’s all about making those connections. When he’s not busy crafting narratives, you can find Milton chatting with new folks and soaking up all the amazing stories out there. He’s passionate about bringing people together through creativity, one story at a time!
“I immediately wanted to join The Locals because of my love for the neighbourhood, and the incredible connections I’ve made since living here. I want to help others find a meaningful connection with locals — like I have, and collectively enjoy the untold stories of The Locals.”
Founding Member: Shea Collins
Shea has returned to her childhood city of London after being away for many years. She chose Hamstead to call home as she connected with its strong sense of community, village charm, and proximity to the Heath. It is here that she’s finally felt at home as she’s fostered a group of intergenerational friends who bring wisdom, laughter, humanity and joy into her life. With a career rooted in Brand Management, Shea’s passion for people and storytelling has been a lifelong guide. Raised with a deep connection to her grandfather and his friends, she values the insights they shared and now, as part of The Locals, is helping build a community where generations can come together, share stories, and enrich one another’s lives.
"I wanted to be part of The Locals because I believe in creating spaces for connection and celebration, where shared memories strengthen bonds and foster a sense of belonging.”
Founding Member: Heather
Born and raised in Hampstead, Heather has spent most of her life in this cherished part of North West London. With a deep sense of connection to the community, Hampstead has been both her home and her source of inspiration for many decades. What has kept her in Hampstead all these years is the love she has for the area, particularly the Heath, where she spent her childhood and later raised her own children. Her desire to be part of The Locals stems from her belief that NW3 truly embodies the essence of a village—where working together creates a meaningful sense of shared life and support.
"I wanted to be part of The Locals because I think working as a community is a very good way of sharing one's life with people. I want to help future generations benefit from our community the way I have."
Founding Member: Beth Hagos
Beth is a long-time Hampstead lover who feels incredibly fortunate to call this vibrant community home. She’s had the joy and absolute privilege of meeting inspiring individuals, including the fearless Tiama, along with countless others who bring light and laughter to her days. To Beth, being part of this space feels like stepping into a warm, unfiltered family gathering—filled with heartfelt moments, belly laughs, and lasting happiness. She treasures every connection and memory made in this cherished community and looks forward to meeting even more of its amazing members. Don’t hesitate to say hello!
"I wanted to be a part of this organisation because I believe in its purpose of creating spaces for connection, shared memories, and celebration. It's a chance to bring people together, strengthen bonds, and foster the sense of unity and belonging that makes communities like ours so wonderfully unique and oh so special."
Founding Member: Michaela Bibby
Coming Soon!
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can attend the Locals Catch Up?
The Locals Catch Up is open to all residents and community members in the NW3 area who are interested in meeting new people and building local connections.
Do I need to register in advance?
Yes, registration is needed to help us plan, and we have a limited number of spaces we can currently host. You can RSVP through Eventbrite.
Is there a cost to attend?
Our monthly Locals Catch Up is free for members. We welcome donations to support our community activities, but there's no mandatory fee to participate.
What should I expect at a Locals Catch Up?
Expect a welcoming, informal environment where you can meet local community members, share stories, and build meaningful connections. We typically have light refreshments and structured networking activities to help everyone feel comfortable.
Can I bring a friend?
Absolutely! We welcome anyone 16+ who lives or works in NW3.
Do I have to live or work in Nw3?
At least one of the persons in your party needs to. The reason for this is to ensure we all have a common foundation and a jumping off point upon which to build relationships. If you are interested in creating a The Locals chapter in your community, see our toolkit.
Do I have to share my own story?
No, if you'd prefer to just listen or observe, that is absolutely fine. Many Locals are looking forward to sharing their own experiences so just having interested members of the community who want to listen is a welcome gift as well.
Can I do anything to prepare for the event?
No preparation is required. However if you'd like to think about the event's theme/prompt, and a story you might want to share related to it, you can do that.
Do I have to prepare for this event?
No. You can come as you are. Our only ask is that you are respectful, inclusive, and welcoming to other Locals at the event.
What is a Give & Get Session?
Part of Community is being able to rely on each other, sharing local stories, local values, and building local customs. This part of every event is the opportunity to offer to give something (time, experience, physical items, etc.) or ask for something (help, support, teaching, etc.).
Can I bring last minute guests?
Our events currently have a cap of people simply due to space. Thus, we respectfully ask that you only bring other guests who have registered for the event. If we find our Locals want to grow in size, we can look to larger locations.
Can I help to sponsor or support an event financially or in kind (food, drinks, other services)?