WHY WE STARTED 
In my private therapy practice, I hear the same complaints over and over again from my more established, newly single clients as they wade through online dating and match-making services.
I realised that singles of our generation (50+) are not adequately catered for in today’s disposable and instant-gratification centric online society.
So, I decided to do something about it.
It’s very difficult to start over again at any age but more so when coming out of a failed, long-term marriage or partnership and your world has just become so much smaller. You’re left feeling vulnerable, out of touch, out of practise and ill-equipped to face what has become the dating scene of today.
BELOW ARE JUST A FEW COMMON COMPLAINTS THAT MAY RESONATE WITH YOU:
GENERAL
“All my friends are still married, so where do I meet other single people? People of similar standing and old fashioned values; people like me?”
“I want a more authentic way to meet people on my level. I don’t consider online contact as meeting someone.”
“I think we’re all so disillusioned by our past long-term relationships that we don’t really know how to confidently date again.”
“I’m lonely but I am so jaded by what I’ve encountered out there that I’m almost afraid to keep trying.”
OPEN SOCIAL EVENTS AND SINGLE’S NIGHTS 
“I feel awkward and uncomfortable in these types of public settings.”
“I don’t know how to approach someone if they are talking to others.”
“While there may be many people attending, I end up meeting very few, if any, that meet my criteria, or are looking for an actual relationship.”
“I struggle to deal with rejection or unwanted attention.”
“I hate meeting someone I connect with only to discover they live too far away”
“Even in a social dinner setting, I don’t always get to engage the people sitting at opposite end of the table.”
MATCH-MAKING SERVICES
“With some agencies you still have to pay over and above the expensive joining fee to be put in touch with a match. I feel like they’re taking advantage of my situation.”
“I’ve been waiting for close on 9 months and have only had one match put forward. It turned out to only be a match on paper as there was no connection between us. It’s an expensive wait.”
“While better than online dating, it relies on someone else’s judgement, or an algorithm.”
“As with online dating, I’m still presented as a bio and photo, and I’m still required to make a choice based on the same.”
“The selection criteria is too exhaustive and thus takes too long to yield a match. People used to discover these details through spending time together.”
ONLINE DATING
“Horrible! It’s full of scammers, gold diggers, and people who waste your time with endless conversations and no real intention to meet.”
“People are just looking for a hookup, online sex, or a financial rescue.”
“I don’t like putting my profile pic on dating sites. I don’t want my ex or work colleagues to stumble upon my profile.”
“I hate how online dating judges purely on looks and bio. The photos are often edited or 15 years outdated, and the bios are so fake. What’s the point?”
“It seems that even my generation is infected by the low class culture of ghosting, fading, sloppy texts, poor manners and instant gratification. I just can’t do this anymore!”
Taking all complaints into consideration
High Calibre Singles promotes:
- Respect. No low-class behaviour such as ghosting, fading, breadcrumbing or hookups. Please read How to end contact in a High Calibre way.
- Taking your time and letting things unfold organically. Read Part 1 and Part 2 on moving through Dating into Relationships.
- Building your relationship in person, not online. Save the personal talks for when you’re together. Read more about this here.
- Being serious about wanting a relationship. If you’re not sure, you’re not ready. Here are a few things to consider.
- Being open to making new friends as well as meeting a potential partner. Sometimes romance can blossom from a friendship.
- Being financially stable. Our guests are not there to provide financial aid.
- A safe and discreet way to meet people face-to-face and one-on-one without any pressure.
- Verification to try eliminate the scammers, chancers and the financially unstable as far as possible.
- Basic selection criteria to be able to put you in front of individuals who fall within your comfort zone for dating or friendship.
- Protocols and guidelines for the event to help everybody have a pleasant experience.
I’ve added a couple of helpful articles on dating and new relationships. I may occasionally add some on common relationship problems I’ve witnessed professionally, however the purpose of HCS is to facilitate new relationships and not be a resource for established ones.
If you need additional support navigating your new relationship, understanding your repeated relationship blockers or patterns, getting through heartbreak, etc., you may book a private appointment with me.