Two women in Northern Bohuslän have created a Facebook group to help newcomers and residents find friends in the coastal region. Nina Ericsson and Pia Lund started the group 'Nya Tjejkompisar i Grebbestad Tanumshede Strömstad Fjällbacka Hamburgsund' in May 2025, which has now grown to nearly 500 members according to SVT Väst.
The initiative came from the founders' own experiences as newcomers to the area. 'It doesn't take much to get out of the feeling of loneliness,' said Pia Lund in an interview. Both women recalled how difficult it was as new arrivals to find social connections, particularly in an area with significant population fluctuations during summer months.
It doesn't take much to get out of the feeling of loneliness,
The Facebook group facilitates various activities including coffee meetups, exercise groups, and gardening clubs. The goal is to create a low-threshold way for women to connect based on shared interests rather than just socializing for its own sake. 'That's really the whole point - not just to socialize for the sake of it, but to have something in common,' explained Pia Lund.
Since its creation less than a year ago, the group has spawned several spin-off activities including a training group, book club, and gardening group. The initiative addresses the challenge of building community in an area where permanent residents may not easily connect with newcomers who intend to stay year-round.
That's really the whole point - not just to socialize for the sake of it, but to have something in common,