A new men’s social group based around making pies has launched in North End, with the hope that, if it’s successful, it could inspire several similar groups around the city.

The pilot group, called Pompey Pies, is being run by Portsmouth City Council for an initial six-month period. The aim is for the men who attend to gradually take over the running of the group themselves, so it becomes community-led.

At the first session, a group of 12 men met for the first time, gathering around a table to watch Project Officer, Will, demonstrate how to make a pie. There was a mix of nervous excitement and laughter as the men chatted about their favourite pie fillings – with steak and kidney emerging as the clear winner.

There were also plenty of jokes, including the inevitable “the first rule of pie club is…” and lively debates about what could be turned into a pie. Suggestions included a full English breakfast – with a hash brown as the lid.

The group then headed to the kitchen to make their own pies, choosing from fillings including corned beef hash, chicken and leek, cheese, and beans. A short while later, the men returned with their own homemade pies, hot and ready to eat – and the smiles on their faces said it all.

Ken, who attended the first session, said: “I’ll eat any pie really, but steak and stilton is my favourite. I’m looking forward to making pies – it’ll keep me busy during certain parts of the day, and it gets you chatting and meeting different people.”

The idea for Pompey Pies came from Jayne Gentle, Community Development Officer, who works in the council’s Independence and Wellbeing team in Adult Social Care. The team helps reduce loneliness by supporting people to set up social groups that meet a local need and can eventually be run by the community itself.

Jayne said: “I heard about a pie club up north – it was featured on The One Show with the Hairy Bikers – and I thought, why can’t we do this in Portsmouth?

I went into cafes, libraries and community centres and just put the idea out there. The response was really positive. From chatting to the gents today, a group where people just come and talk doesn’t always spark interest – but add pie into the mix and people want to get involved. After all, everyone loves a pie.”

She added: “One of the great things about pie club is that you don’t need a full kitchen. As long as there’s somewhere to wash hands and do the washing up, all you need is plug sockets, pie-makers, people who want to come along and a few volunteers. This means it could work in lots of places – so the world, well, Portsmouth, is our oyster.”

The pilot group is being held at North End Baptist Church, which also hosts a food pantry. The pantry allows people to buy a food shop worth around £20 for £5, helping to support households with the cost of living. Men attending the pie club can also use the food pantry while they are there.

Reverend Tracey Ansell, Minister of North End Baptist Church, said: “It’s a huge privilege to be hosting the pie club. We’re keen to serve our community and support the council in what they’re trying to do. There’s a real link between the pie club and our food pantry, and if being based here helps support people in the community as well, then that’s lots of good things coming together for everyone.”

Cllr Matthew Winnington, Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing, Health & Care at Portsmouth City Council, said: “We know loneliness can have a real impact on people’s health and wellbeing, but taking that first step to meet new people isn’t always easy. Projects like Pompey Pies give people a relaxed, friendly way to come together, learn something new and enjoy good company – with the added bonus of a homemade pie at the end.”

Anyone interested in joining a pie club, volunteering, or suggesting a venue can contact the Independence and Wellbeing Team at Portsmouth City Council on 023 9284 1762 or email iwt@portsmouthcc.gov.uk. Details of more social groups for adults available in the city can be found at portsmouth.gov.uk/social.

For help with the cost of living, including information about food pantries across the city, visit the council’s Cost of Living Hub at www.portsmouth.gov.uk/services/benefits-and-money-advice/cost-of-living-hub  or search ‘Portsmouth Cost of Living Hub’.