Manchester-founded SoberLove is throwing open its doors to singles across the UK and beyond, announcing that its dating platform is now completely free to join, with subscription fees removed to make alcohol-free romance more accessible than ever. Whether sober, sober-curious or simply looking for love without the pressure to drink, singles can now connect without paying a membership fee. The announcement comes as NHS figures reveal that an estimated 11.2 million adults in England have not drunk alcohol in the past year, and just days before founder Nicky Wake celebrates two years sober.

Whether you’re sober, sober-curious, taking a break from drinking or simply tired of the expectation that every first date should involve a glass of wine, finding someone who shares your outlook on alcohol is becoming easier.

Founded in Manchester in 2025 by local entrepreneur Nicky Wake, SoberLove is now becoming completely free to access in the UK and beyond. Having already attracted approximately 4,000 registrations, the platform is removing its membership fees to encourage more singles to join and connect.

The move comes amid changing attitudes towards alcohol. The NHS Health Survey for England 2024, published in January 2026, found that 24% of adults in England, approximately 11.2 million people, had not consumed alcohol in the previous 12 months, up from 19% in 2022. Among 16 to 24-year-olds, the figure was approximately 35%.

Yet dating can still be challenging for people who don’t drink, from explaining sobriety to a potential partner to navigating first-date nerves without alcohol. SoberLove offers an alternative, connecting people who share similar lifestyles and understand that romance doesn’t need to revolve around pubs, bars or drinking.

For Manchester-based Nicky, making SoberLove free is deeply personal. In 2017, her husband Andy suffered a catastrophic cardiac arrest at home, leaving her desperately performing CPR while their nine-year-old son watched. Although Andy survived, the resulting brain injury was so severe that he no longer recognised his wife or child. For three agonising years, Nicky lived with the heartbreak of losing the husband she knew while he was still alive, before Andy died in 2020.

Widowed and raising their son alone, Nicky struggled with overwhelming grief and alcohol dependency, eventually reaching crisis point with an A&E admission and rehabilitation in November 2024. On 6 November 2026, she will mark two years sober, having transformed her experiences into a mission to help others rebuild their confidence, relationships and lives without alcohol.

Nicky Wake, founder of SoberLove, said, “When you’ve been through addiction and recovery, the thought of dating again can be terrifying. So much of our social lives revolves around alcohol, and it can feel as though you’re the odd one out simply because you don’t want a drink. I wanted to create somewhere people could meet without having to explain themselves, worry about being judged or feel pressured to compromise their sobriety.

“In just a few days, I’ll be celebrating two years sober, something that once felt almost impossible. I know what it’s like to lose the person you love, to feel completely alone and to wonder whether you’ll ever find happiness again. There was a time when I couldn’t imagine a future without my husband, let alone a life without alcohol, but I’ve learned that even after the darkest experiences, it is possible to rebuild your life and find hope again.

“That’s why making SoberLove free means so much to me. Nobody should face another barrier when they’re trying to find someone who understands their lifestyle. Whether you’re newly sober, have been in recovery for years or simply don’t enjoy drinking, you deserve the chance to find love, connection and happiness without feeling that you have to change who you are.

“You don’t need a glass of wine to have chemistry, and you don’t need alcohol to fall in love. Some of the most meaningful connections happen when you’re completely yourself. If SoberLove helps someone feel less alone, find their confidence again or meet somebody who truly understands them, then everything we’ve been through to create it will have been worthwhile.”