London

Cuddle parties
Imported from the States, where they were dreamed up in New York in 2004 by relationship coaches Reid Mihalko and Marcia Baczynski, cuddle parties are a cross between workshops and social events at which ‘nurturing, non-sexual, affectionate touch in a safe and structured environment’ is part of the deal. They’re based on the premise that everyone needs to be held and holding doesn’t have to lead to humping (well, not all the time). The phenomenon recently hit London; bi-monthly events take place in West Hampstead (the next one’s on Sunday). Cuddle parties might include any of the following: back rubs, naps, meeting new people and hugs. You have to ask permission – and get verbal assent – before touching anyone (rather confusingly, cuddling is not obligatory at cuddle parties) and the organisers are at pains to stress what the events are not, namely ‘a free-for-all, a pseudo orgy or a grope-fest’. Which is reassuring.
Email cuddleparty@hotmail.co.uk for details. Feature continues