We are often asked how successful friendsfirst is?

What our members have said about the friendships they've made through our service

“I now have a regular friendship with a friendsfirst member so now is a good time to stop my profile going out.” (Tim, Retired)

“Dear friendsfirst team, I enrolled with you for a year's membership and have chatted to a very nice gentleman, however I have since had contatct with another gentleman on a regular basis (who happened across my path) and, as this is developing into something close, I feel it would be wisest to ask if you would remove my name & details from the circulation list.  I would appreciate your keeping in contact with me for the duration of my membership in case these circumstances alter.  Thank you for your courtesy and professionalism throughout my limited experience of your services.”  (Henrietta, Parish Priest)

“I am very excited to tell you that although I didn’t do anything much during my first six months of membership because I was in a sort of local relationship, once that was over, I contacted lots of people on my profile lists. One person wasn’t even a member any longer when I contacted her but we have now been seeing each other for a while and it is going very well.  I think contact by letter is the best way.” (David, Carpenter)

"Thank you very much for your help in the past Patricia but I have now found a lovely lady and we want to make a future for ourselves and god willing marry."  (Chris, Chauffeur)

“Thank you so much again for what you have done for and may the Lord bless your wonderful work.  Without it we don’t think we would ever have met, because we moved in different Christian circles, even though living comparatively close.”  (Heather, Local Govt Officer)

"Dear Katharine,  I joined friendsfirst with considerable scepticism, doubting that there really was anyone out there for me, but feeling that I had to try. The unlikely stories on the web page encouraged me. I resolved that I would work at making contact with people for two years. I had been looking for a suitable partner for over three years, during which time only one possibility had crossed my horizon. It is not good for woman to be alone either, but it was unlikely to happen locally. I thought that I would make contact with lots of people, including people who were not obvious partners, and perhaps meet people with whom there was no future, all of which would be good experience, anyway. 

The reality was beyond my wildest dreams. In my first batch of profiles there was an intelligent man who was actively looking for a woman self confident in her own ideas, and who particularly warmed to my self description as, 'feisty, principled, passionate and compassionate'. [I see myself as a 'niche market' rather than a 'supermarket' item!] What is more, the way that he expressed his Christian faith exactly resonated with my own Christian experience. I emailed him on the Friday I received my first batch of profiles, we spoke for the first time on the phone on the Sunday evening, during which call we established several mutual acquaintances, and tentatively met after work on the Wednesday evening at a town inbetween our homes. As I write, the relationship is still embrionic and may come to nothing, but meanwhile I eagerly await the evening phone call and look forward to the next date like being a teenager all over again. For the first time I have actually given thanks for being single again at this point in my life! Having been solidly married for a long time, I discover what insecurity in a relationship is like again, wondering how long it will last, not quite knowing what to expect of the other's behaviour, but it is all part of the adventure of discovery and the risk which we take in meeting new friends.  If it all ends tomorrow, my membership will have been worthwhile just to get this far, so thank you for being there, friendsfirst.  (Rebekah, Minister)

I have been very pleased with friendsfirst but now ask that you stop sending out my profile to members even though my membership does not expire until September. (Felicity, Primary Teacher)

"I would like to thank the friendsfirst team for assisting me in making some good friendships. I have thoroughly enjoyed being a member"   (Richard, Teacher)

"I have never done anything like this before but I joined because the emphasis was on friends first and because people are not automatically looking for relationships. The Christian element is very important to me and I've been finding it a very valuable service."            (Sue - Church Minister)

I've been seeing one of the other members very regularly for eleven months now. It's wonderful. We're going to New York soon together as we both love travelling. Please take me off your membership directory. Thank you for such an excellent service and for all the personal service you gave me."  (Philip, Manager)

"I have been in contact with someone from your membership for eight months and we have been dating for the past six months. I don't ever remember feeling so happy and family and friends have noticed the difference in me. Please withdraw my membership from friendsfirst."

(Hannah, Teacher)

"Please take my name off the Directory. I have struck up an excellent friendship with another member and want to develop that now. Thank you for your service. friendsfirst has worked out really well for me." (Brian, Business man)

"Through friendsfirst I've started to meet new people and I've found we've had a lot in common. I've found it a very useful and rewarding service."  (Peter, Solicitor)

"I know I joined friendsfirst to meet other people, but I cannot believe what is happening in my life. I did not anticipate meeting someone so lovely as Felicity and that we would get on so well. If I have learnt anything over the last year it is that it is only when you take a risk, only when you do something different, do you allow God to start working in your life." (Richard, Civil Servant)

"I've had lots of people contact me whom have been very compatible."    (Bernard, Retired)

"Please terminate my membership as I've met someone really nice and therefore see no point in continuing. I've enjoyed being a member and thank you for your time"  (Edward, Civil Servant)

"Thank you for your ministry through friendsfirst . I wish you every success and blessing since I have much reason to be thankful to you for the introductions you have made possible. I have in fact, 'never had it so good' as I have made many friends. I am stopping my membership for the time being. Thank you again." (Graeme, Retired)

"I am pleased to say I have made a friend in the last six months though your organisation. The friendship is getting stronger each day as the Lord is confirming in his wonderful peace and joy. May I take this opportunity to thank you for your wonderful service of such a discrete nature."  (John, Engineer)

"Thank you very much for your first letter with profiles which I received a few days ago, also your much needed encouragement. I did on of the hardest jobs in my life and phoned 2 numbers but no reply, but in a very short while Peter from Reading rang back and he was so very nice and thankful to me for phoning him, He called 3 times on Saturday, he use to live and work here in Belfast and knows people I know. One man was in my class at school, so it a small world after all and because of this background, I feel very safe with him. He asked to exchange snaps (photo's) which I did, his arrived this morning which I'm very pleased to see, he looks soft and kind. I phoned to thank him and we had another long conversation. He is so happy and positive about the future with me – it is incredulous how a friendship can happen so easily and quickly. So it seems my life maybe beginning at 69 thanks to you at friendsfirst. I did not really believe that you would help me and I do feel sorry for thinking like that. I trust Peter can give me a life worth living and I trust God to provide anything we may lack." (Rosemary, Housekeeper)

"Thank you for your last letter and questionnaire duly completed. I will not be renewing my membership as I rejoice in the friendship of John. We are getting on very well so far and I am so glad that I persevered and took courage in both hands! Your advice was good. So thank you for all your help and advice and of course I am absolutely thrilled to have found a truly wonderful Christian friend. I will certainly let you know if there is any further outcome!! I am recommending friendsfirst to others and will continue to do so. May you continue to be encouraged in all you seek to do and I have so appreciated your patience and willingness to chat especially in the early stages when it all seems a bit scary!"

(Margaret, Librarian)

"I have made a lovely friendship with Kate and see her regularly. I have made a real effort, and found everyone very friendly and of a good moral standard. I think that friendsfirst is an excellent idea and organisation, and I look forward to continuing with you."

(Peter, Technical Sales Mgr)

"I am writing to tell you of some recent good news regarding someone I have met through your service. Her name is Natalie. We started corresponding through email and late met. Our friendship has developed into a strong relationship and we have fallen deeply in love with each other! We thought that you would be please to hear about this, and we are so thankful to God, and to you for running your service. As a result of this I would like to ask you to please remove my name from your mailing list and cancel my membership so that my profile is no longer sent out. Thank you very much for your service and I pray that it will continue to bring people together in the same way that it has us. God bless and thank you again!"

(David, Parcel Courier)

"During the year I have been reasonably pro-active having at least one date with at least 8 nice ladies, and still visit one every few weeks. Doing this and reading your literature and guidance has been helpful and as a result have struck up a meaningful friendship with a young lady in our fellowship which I hope will develop. Thank you for doing the valuable work you do and I will keep your details should I feel the need to re apply in the future. In the mean time may God continue to bless your ministry."

(Brian, Minibus Driver)

"I've met some wonderful people so far. I'm absolutely delighted."

(Loraine, Mother/Student)

"I've had more people contact me in the short time I've been a member and I am making some really lovely friendships with true Christians." (Mark - Graphic Design)

"Please find enclosed my renewal fee. Barrie and I have been in

correspondence (we’re meeting next week) and have exchanged limericks. I thought you might like this one:-

So what do you think of friendsfirst

Well I'm quite sure you could do wors(t)

They make introductions

Without causing ructions

With happiness you might just burst.

(Jeane, Retired)

"I am very pleased I have joined friendsfirst. It has provided a good structure for making contact possible. Without it I would have been very hesitant to approach a woman. Now I find it very easy to pick up the phone and chat as one friendsfirst member to another – my confidence has grown. Keep up the good work – your service is greatly needed."

(Ian, Methodist Minister)

"friendsfirst really is about making new friends. I'm meeting so many new people and making lots of good friends – its just great – thanks and keep it up!"    (Colin, Civil Servant)