Friendship group Frock Up Friday goes global, with a book in the making

Bev Francis and her friend Susan Simms set up the Frock Up Friday group on Facebook together, initially just for themselves, and have since gained more than 13,500 members from across the world.

They became best friends when Susan was Bev’s lodger in St Leonards for two years. Dressing up on Friday nights became a bit of a tradition and it continued after Susan moved into her own flat earlier this year.

Frock Up Friday was created in March as a way to stay connected during lockdown and to share photos of their chosen outfits each week. It then developed when they invited other friends to join in and has now grown to be such a success, a book of the photographs is in the making.

Bev was born in Littlehampton and grew up in the town as Bev Read but moved when she went to university.

Proud mum Cynthia Read said what her daughter and her friend had achieved was amazing.

Cynthia said: “Bev and Susie set up this private members group for a few friends to encourage each other to get out of their pyjamas at least once a week. Between them, they put up photos and wrote about their week, especially how they were feeling re the isolation.

“Neither ever thought anyone else would be interested in joining but fast forward to today and they have between 13,000 and 14,000 members worldwide. All are welcome, male, female, family, no age barrier.

“What they found was many, many lonely people out there and here they have found friendship and safety. This group is the most fabulous ever, people here help and support each other, they tell their stories along with their photos and encourage each other to be positive – there is light at the end of the tunnel.

“Mental health of members is something they deal with on a daily basis but what is incredible is the group itself. They have proved there is such kindness and thoughtfulness towards each other.”

The Frock Up Friday book is close to completion and all profit from the first print will be donated to Mind, the members’ chosen charity.

Bev said the Friday Frock Up was a joyous mixture of all kinds of clothes people loved to wear for going out.

Speaking to the Hastings Observer, she said: “It had a surprising side effect, too. It is a page of celebration and positivity. Without any prompting contributors started to compliment one another on their photos and outfits.

“It’s been an all-inclusive page of pure joy from the ordinary to the extraordinary.

“Amazing things have happened. Friendships have been made and we’ve even had a couple who frocked up and proposed on their pretend home restaurant. We’ve had lots of key workers join and if they can’t do Fridays they’ve frocked up on other days. It means everyone has been able to join in.”

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