Going on holidays, out for meals, and to concerts by oneself has become more socially acceptable, but the heads-down culture created by smartphones can make real-life encounters hard to come by. How is singer Rina Sawayama taking the intimidation out of friend-making for solo gig-goers?

As Gen Y’s interest in all things new-age peaks, they’re turning the once-introspective exercise of checking horoscopes into a social one. The Co-Star app is connecting people via their astrological signs and allowing them to keep tabs on the starry state of their friends, lovers, and inner lives.

Waves for Change is an organisation working in townships impacted by violence and poverty. While there is a dearth of mental health services in South Africa, mental health issues remain prominent and incredibly stigmatised. Waves for Change is combating these issues through surf therapy.

Between diplomatic concerns ahead of the World Cup in Russia, human rights abuses in 2022 host nation Qatar, and allegations of corruption within FIFA, the beautiful game has plenty of problems. But how is football being used to tackle social issues and bring communities together in Britain?

No longer content to just take sea-and-sun breaks or book opulent hotels, the ultra-wealthy are now after travel experiences that are transformative and serve their quest for self-actualisation. How are the shifting values of high-net-worth individuals impacting the holiday decisions they make?

While many travellers now expect immersive experiences as part of their holidays, some intrepid individuals are demanding more – adventure. Secret Compass provides extreme escapes to remote jungles, deserts, and polar regions. But why are people venturing to the ends of the Earth for a vacation?

Planning a trip has never been easier, with metasearch engines helping people find the best flight and hotel deals for any destination. Yet this glut of choices can leave some feeling overwhelmed – a problem that Pack Up + Go addresses by creating surprise itineraries for locations across the US.

A holiday used to be a two-week affair once a year. But with always-on lifestyles and enticing getaways at the click of a button, Britons are escaping the daily grind in shorter stints, more than ever before. So how can brands tap into the UK’s newfound passion for bite-sized getaways?