Fun and Laughter

Severnsider

Find your local U3A group - their motto is Learn, Laugh, Live.

What more?

You are lucky if it lives up to their motto I know a lot do but not where I live now. I got the cold shoulder from the groups I wanted to join.

You could see if there is a National Women's Register Group near you - nwr.org.uk/

I moved to a new area 2 years ago and didn’t know anyone. I volunteer as an usher at my local theatre, sing in a choir and belong to a number of U3A groups. I have lots of fun and laughter and I have made many new friends.

If you are on Facebook you might find some local groups that would fit the bill. What part of the country are you in?

Have a look at Meetup groups. just google for your local area

Do you have a U3A locally? Lots of groups to join. Meet new people, have fun and laughter and learn new things. We belong to a Traditional Music Group in our area and we meet in pubs to sing and play Traditional Music together. There are Dance Groups, lunch groups, walking groups and many more. You do not have to be Academic but you can be if you want to be! U3A motto - learn, laugh and live!

Have sent you a pm beautybumble

Som3 of the things put on for older people are so dreary. I’m 76 an£ if I go out I don’t want a cup of tea and a biscuit whilst I do a jigsaw or knit. I want it to be worth my while being out and bingo in a church hall isn’t it !! We are all different I suppose but some people my age are just so old.

U3A (University of the Third Age) all over the country. My local one is more like a social club - debate groups, photography, dancing, days out, walks, music, monthly interesting speakers, languages, computers, even an engineering group. Subscription around £12 per annum.

Where do you live??

Cat4

You could see if there is a National Women's Register Group near you - nwr.org.uk/

I second this. Great groups of women, all over the country. We meet in each others homes.
There are interest groups within the group too, eg walking, garden, French, mahjong etc. It's easier to get to know people in smaller groups.

There is a vast choice of activities available, as has already been suggested. However, it won’t come to you, so you need to be proactive. How independent are you? If you would like to join a dance club and there isn’t one nearby, maybe you could do some research and if there’s enough interest, start one yourself, investigating suitable village halls etc. I also volunteer and meet so many interesting people, young & old, male & female. We have such a good laugh and lots to talk about, as we all have various interests. Obviously, it depends a lot on where you live, but we don’t know where that is.

You are at liberty to start a group of your own.

I never knew that social clubs still existed. The ones I remember from some years ago started off as working men's clubs and then became somewhere that men and women could go to for a drink and entertainment. This was usually music, a singer or a comedian. Is this the sort of thing you are looking for beautybumble if so hope you find something that meets your needs.

Do you have a U3A group near you. They have lots of activities.

Cat4

You could see if there is a National Women's Register Group near you - nwr.org.uk/

They are good but they aren't what I'd call fun!

The local one seems to want members to research a worthy topic, present it to the group then debate it.
Not much laughing.

That's fine, but I think beautybumble is looking for something lighthearted.

I worked with a lady who was new to the UK, completely alone, divorced with distant adult children.

She just loved coming in to work and joining any socialising. Her flat was opposite the local cinema, so she often went over to watch a film in the evening and said it was fine to go alone.

Judy54, there are good comedy clubs here in London. A friend keeps asking me to go - but she has a terribly annoying laugh (like a sick, braying donkey) so I keep making excuses.

Try the Towns Women Guild lots of activities and very welcoming crowd

Community choirs Zumba gold Linedancing table tennis U3A Hopefully you will find something where you live

Do you like to dance? There are often sequence dance sessions organised by the leisure department of your local council. I run dance for 50 plus and it's a great group.
If there's something missing, try setting it up yourself. If there is a genuine interest people are usually keen to get involved and help.
Hotels do dinner dances still, particularly in resorts. I think that they try to arrange partners. Good luck! Get going

I volunteer with the National Trust one day a week and really enjoy it. I meet friends I've made there and we often meet outside of our volunteering days. The NT often have social events so there's always something going on. Do more days and you meet more people. You also get your petrol paid for so it doesn't cost you anything. Give it a go, if it doesn't suit you just stop.

Another vote for U3A, have joined several groups and am now on the committee of our local group. Have made lots of friends who now also socialise outside of U3A. You can always start a group if there is something you want to do that isn't already accounted for (your local U3A should have a committee member who will help you to do this)

Definitely U3a - it's the answer for me

If all the suggested options above fail to bring up anything suitable, you might find your local Social Work Department could help - mine got in touch with a lady whose job title I've forgotten, and she met me for coffee with a couple of A4 sheets of things to do/join in the area. She even offered to go with me the first time if I wasn't confident enough to go on my own.

Wishing you luck!