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Meeting Safely

Meitheal is about neighbours meeting face to face. Most meet-ups go wonderfully. These simple habits keep it that way.

1. Get to know them first

  • Chat on Meitheal before you meet. Ask what you'd like to know: what they're offering or need, and when and where.
  • Look at their profile. How long have they been a member, and does what they say add up?
  • Keep the conversation on Meitheal at first, where our team can help if something goes wrong.

2. Choose the place carefully

  • Meet somewhere public and busy the first time: a café, a library, a park, outside a shop.
  • Daylight is best. If it must be later, pick a well-lit place.
  • For borrowing, lending or free items, hand things over outside or at a public spot rather than at either of your homes.
  • For walks and group activities, choose a well-known meeting point.

3. Tell someone you trust

  • Tell a friend or family member who you're meeting, where, and when you expect to be back. In any chat, tap Meet-up plan (the location-share icon at the top) to send your plan to them in a few taps. Nothing is saved on Meitheal.
  • Ask them to follow your live location on your phone while you're out. Apple Maps, Google Maps and WhatsApp all have “share live location”, and it keeps working even when Meitheal isn't open.
  • Charge your phone, keep it with you, and make sure you can get home easily.
  • Consider bringing a friend, especially for a first meeting or a larger item.

4. Protect your privacy

  • Share your general area only. Don't give your home address, and don't invite someone you've just met to your home.
  • Meitheal already keeps a private record of every member's address for safety. You don't need to share yours.
  • Never share passwords, bank details or ID documents. Meitheal will never ask you for them.

5. Watch for money requests

  • Be careful with anyone who asks for money, gift cards, deposits or payment in advance.
  • Meitheal is about neighbours helping neighbours. If a request feels like a sales pitch or a scam, it probably is.

6. Trust your instincts

  • If something feels wrong, leave. You never owe anyone an explanation.
  • You can cancel at any time, even at the last minute.
  • In an emergency, call your local emergency number straight away (for example 112 in the EU, 999 in Ireland and the UK, 911 in the US and Canada).

7. Report and block

  • Use the flag button on a post, comment or profile to report anything that worries you. Our team reviews every report.
  • Use Block to stop someone contacting you. They won't be told.
  • If you've been harmed or threatened, contact the police first, then tell us at meitheal.app@gmail.com so we can act on the account.

Meitheal can't guarantee how any member behaves, so please use your own judgement and take care of yourself. Most people are here to help, and these habits make it safer for everyone.