I live in Wales and joined FOTMD before I discovered there was a network of dulcimer players closer to home, namely the Nonsuch Dulcimer Club  https://www.dulcimer.org.uk/.     This led me to a regular meeting of dulcimer players not too far from where I live, which has given me the opportunity to gauge my own progress and the opportunity to meet other players and try out their instruments. Other than that, most of the people I meet and play with are very unfamiliar with dulcimers. 

This might be of interest to you:   https://www.dulcimer.org.uk/

I'm Scotland based and whilst there's an awful lot of cool spots for folk, I rarely find a place where I come across a dulcimer and wow do I miss that sound of sweet music. Anyone else UK based and find they came across dulcimer players once in a blue moon, even in the folk scene?