7 Communities for Women in Manchester to Connect, Create & Meet New People

Maybe you don't need more followers. Maybe you need community.

Making friends as an adult is weird. Especially when you're working remotely, building a business, creating music or juggling a 9–5 with your creative ambitions.

You can be surrounded by people and still feel disconnected.

Manchester has a growing network of communities where women can meet, create and experience the city together.

1. Social Butterfly International

Social Butterfly is a creative community for women in music and the wider creative scene. But we're not interested in making community feel like another networking event.

We want connection + creativity + culture + opportunity.

Think

🎤 Music
🎨 Creative events
🤝 Networking
🍸 Socials
🎶 Showcases
💡 Workshops
🦋 Community

And eventually, more lifestyle experiences around the women who make up our community.

2. Girl Gang Manchester

Girl Gang Manchester is a collective of artists, activists, academics and community builders.

Its events include screenings, exhibitions, creative club nights, workshops, book clubs and support groups.

3. Girlhood

Girlhood is a Manchester women's social community focused on movement, creativity and real connection, with activities including creative workshops, book clubs, fitness classes and supper clubs.

4. Whereabouts MCR

Whereabouts MCR is hosting women-only creative socials, including an upcoming all-you-can-paint event at Manchester Art Gallery on 30 September 2026.

5. Home from HOME

HOME runs creative spaces for women in areas including Hulme, Moss Side and Gorton, with activities designed around creativity, conversation and connection.

6. Manchester's creative ecosystem

Sometimes community isn't a named organisation.

It's your local:

café + co-working space + gallery + gig + workshop + market + creative event.

Start showing up.

7. Create your own circle

Invite five women. Go for brunch. Visit a gallery. Have a writing session. Go to a gig. Start a group chat. Community doesn't always need a logo.

Sometimes it just needs someone willing to say:

“Who's coming?”

Your Manchester social life can become part of your creative life.

The Social Butterfly woman isn't sitting at home waiting for community to find her.

She's out there.

Creating. Connecting. Exploring. Building.

And bringing other women with her.

Your challenge

Pick one event from this list and go even if you have to go alone.

And yes, wear the outfit!