First you sign up and build a profile. Then they tell you that you need to be verified. Once you do what they say to verify, then they tell you it could take up to 24 hours to verify you. During that time you are waiting to be verified, you can search activities in your area. A bunch will show up unlocked (the ones you can do for free without joining). In my area the ones I could access free were mixed virtual and in person. I clicked on 3 meals out, 1 coffee outing, and one take a walk outing that were all unlocked. You get excited about meeting people face to face. Then you get the “You’re Verified” email. Yay! Then you go back in the app and guess what? All the in person ones are now locked or gone, and only virtual ones remain like learn to crochet??!!!! This is a marketing SCAM to bait you, hook you, and get you to join.

I’m curious about something. Do you guys actually use your own app? You don’t see anything wrong with it? I don’t think this app is user friendly at all. Any time I want to find an event I have to scroll through a million virtual events to get to what I want. Why don’t you guys separate those from the rest? There are a lot more issues with this app which I don’t have the energy to get into. I keep thinking you will do more updates to fix all the problems but you guys rarely do updates. I don’t get it. My advice is to USE your own app to realize what the problems are.

I saw Stitch mentioned in a review of popular senior dating apps. The review noted that with Stitch you could connect to a worldwide community for friendship or romance. I checked it out with their free membership. It doesn’t have all the privileges of a paid membership, but it’s an easy way to see what’s available. I liked what I saw and paid for a membership (it’s really reasonable). Initially, the sheer number of members, activities, groups and discussions available was overwhelming, but I picked a couple of groups and a couple of activities to start. I immediately got several messages welcoming me and offering to answer any questions I had. I posted a message in each of the groups I had joined and immediately got responses from other members. The activities I chose were all online (Zoom) with lively discussions. I’ve also gotten together to chat with some of the local members. Since I’m not looking specifically for romance, I can’t comment about that. I’ve found the website is relatively well designed, and the members very welcoming, interesting and friendly. The selection of groups, discussions and activities is huge. I can easily filter to see those in my area. The “worldwide” membership is mostly UK, Australia, Canada and the US. That’s a bit of a disappointment for me. I hope the app can be offered in other countries, too, eventually. I’ve only been a member for a month or so, but I’ve already made friends I look forward to seeing online. And I’m getting ready to host my first local, in person activity.

While looking for a safe social media group and listening to advise on dating after 50, I came across an interview with Andrew from ‘Stitch’. I was immediately drawn to the concept of meeting people from all over the world, women and men for friendship. I had been widowed several years before and now Covid had struck. I joined and immediately found different groups to share my thoughts, angsts and time. After joining various groups of assorted interest and feeling safe , I am so fulfilled. The first group I joined was “Widows and Widowers”. Previously, I had felt all alone. None of my friends had lost their spouses. My friends were able to say how devastating it must be for me, but couldn’t relate on a ‘reality’ basis. My confidence expanded and quickly I joined another group “Codenames” which was organized by one of the members of the “Widow and Widowers “ group. It has become my favorite place on Friday nights and Saturday afternoons. This is through Zoom meetings and involves others from all over the world!As my time on “Stitch” had evolved, I have joined several other groups including “Optimists Unite”, “Stoicism”, “Artists gallery”, “Dating after 50” and so many more! The people I have been acquainted with are amazing. We are from all different backgrounds and all contribute to each other’s knowledge. This had relieved me of my loneliness during these very trying times. My family has noticed how I treasure these moments and hear about different acquaintances. It has really been amazing. Support, understanding, fun, laughter, cultural thoughts and social activities are a few words that come to my mind when I think of “Stitch”!