A CHISWICK based agency for single people launched a new improved networking service called ‘Companions’ earlier this week.

Mike Halson, Managing Director of Barley Mow Passage based ‘Single Living’, explained: "The idea of setting up Companions groups developed after we acquired Travel Companions last year. Whenever Travel Companions is mentioned in the media, the response is extraordinary – because there are so few genuine, non-gimmicky options for single people.

"But once we have spoken to the people who call for information, we often discover that what they are really looking for is companionship in general – new friends with whom they can go out to the cinema or theatre, to a restaurant, the seaside, or even just the shops."

Companions provides a sensible and practical method for unattached people to make new friends and spice up their social lives. It comprises a main Friendship Club and three subgroups – Travel Companions, Social Companions and Sports Companions. Single Living members can choose which options they want to sign up for, and then use the Companions Clublist to start making new contacts.

The response from existing Single Living members has been extremely positive and theatre buffs, dance fans and golfers are busy arranging activities which have lapsed while they have been on their own.

Meanwhile, Travel Companions members are enjoying activity and beach holidays in various parts of the world.

Trips being planned for next year include coach trips, city breaks, round the world cruises, a train journey to Mongolia and – with our oldest member, 80 – a trip to Kerala in southern India.

For more information about ‘Single Living’, call 020 8762 9933, or visit www.single-living.com