Local Organiser Launches New Website To Help Community Groups Stay Connected

Steve Podbury created GatherUK.org after noticing that many small volunteer‑run groups were struggling to afford the monthly charges introduced by large international platforms.

“Some groups were being asked to pay £15 or £20 a month just to keep track of who was coming to the next meeting,” Steve said. “For a walking group, a craft club, or a small social circle, that’s a lot of money. It started to feel like a ‘Friendship Tax’.”

Instead of watching more groups close, Steve decided to build something fairer.

GatherUK is a new UK‑run website that helps local organisers run their groups without the high fees charged by big tech platforms.

The project is run as a non‑profit, and Steve has made sure it follows strict UK data rules, including registering with the Information Commissioner’s Office, so organisers can use the site without worrying about their personal information being sold or misused.

GatherUK includes the tools organisers are already used to—bookings, waitlists, and simple member communication—but it’s designed to be much easier to use and far more affordable. It costs £5 a month (for organisers), and members always use it for free. To help people settle in, Steve is giving all new organisers their first three months free.

“This isn’t a corporate venture,” Steve said. “It’s something built by someone who actually runs local groups and knows how tight budgets can be. If you’re looking to cut your group’s running costs, I’d love for you to give it a look.”