What are your tips for meeting new people and making new friends? £200 voucher to be won

After finished work realised only knew neighbours for a quick hello, joined the womens institute and church then lockdown came, but now meet friends made at these places for coffee. We have joined the National Trust to get out locally into the fresh air. But if anything happened to my husband would think of this firm mentioned here as for the age group as you read and see so many dating sites where people who have been widowed and who never ever meet the person to start sending money over to them, something which cant even get my head around, as to why you would do that. My mother is law who was widowed early on met the person first for coffees/pub lunches and took friendship further after that, even if you dont want a physical relationship its a way of meetimg others your own age a male who you could share similar interest with. Also lots of places want volunteers at this time.

Hi,
Volunteering or craft groups are a great way to meet people and make friends. I do both. Being disabled people find you unapproachable at times. But I have stuck with it and made lots of friends

I have stayed mainly in my local area for two years now. On my short outings on foot (I don’t drive) I greet everyone who passes. If I am ignored that’s fine, we all have off days. However most people do respond and many even want to chat. I now feel that there is a lot of goodwill and kindness in my immediate neighbourhood and feel happier and more secure than before.
Dog owners and people gardening are often delighted by a brief comment or compliment. I really feel I have opened up my days, you never know who you might meet!

Have a go at going to anything you see is going in. Be friendly, try to hang around and chat, find out other things that people ho to there and try those too volunteering, older keep fit group were both good for me. I think the local rambling/walking groups would be good too but haven't found time yet to try them. Also events, meet ups advertised on our local next-door website. One thing often leads to others

Join a dance class, I was in Silver Swans, a ballet class for mature people. I'm now joining a pop dance group. Do what you want to do, then explore where it is.

Craft clubs. Learn some thing new, improve on what you know, teach others and socialize at the same time.

When I moved here I had to take my granddaughter to her brownies group as her parents both worked. It was so interesting. I had never been a brownie or guide, but decided to offer my service and became a brown owl. I loved it and when I finally gave up I got such a lovely letter from the head guide and I will always treasure it. My granddaughter of course is grown up now. It was a lovely time for us both and she was very proud of me!

Ive had a look for my area in North Devon - sadly no one seems to have added anything so I’m going to add a post to see if it gets a response

Sequence dancing; walking group; library reading group.
Making friendships is not that easy at this age, because people often have built up longstanding relationships. However, hopefully new acquaintanceships with something in common may develop into friendships over time

Me again! I forgot to add that as a brown owl I made many friends with the parents and the other brownie leaders, and I still see some of them now. Best time of my life.

It doesn’t matter much what you do, just do something. Smile and be friendly but not too needy. Get out, volunteer, join things and be patient. It sometimes takes a little time, but it is possible to make a whole new group of friends, Be brave.

I belong to a knit and natter group.
Cannot knit but do well at nattering.
Ladies at group do various activities.
Wi
U3a
Choir
Walking Group
Poetry Group
Painting
Reading Group
Church
Volunteering. Wine Club
Try everything on offer and see what is for you.
Suggest going on your own.
Good Luck

When I first retired I started looking after grandson and took him to the clubs and library sessions our daughter had started with him. There were always other grandparents there to talk to. I also made some virtual friends on social media. It takes effort to get to know strangers but think that the other person may feel the same. As others have said smile and be positive. In lockdown I was so pleased I had virtual friends who kept in touch and supported one another.

Find your nearest National Trust property and volunteer. I did this 10 years ago after I retired and have been doing it one day a week ever since. I've made lots of friends, some of which have helped get me through the pandemic by meeting up outdoors one-to-one once a week. Your petrol expenses are paid so you incur no cost. Try it - you can always drop out if you find it's not for you.

Volunteer work in a new area I moved to a year ago has brought me a lovely new friend. It's not easy at 71, I must say.

I have a small dog and walk him every day about 3 times. He is cute ( if I say so myself) and we are getting to know other dog owners in the area. No one is yet a friend, but I chat to these folks every day and it helps me to feel more like I belong.

Without a dog you can always join local groups. Any group just to meet folk and get involved. Once my pooch is over his separation anxiety I plan to join several local groups including the knit and natter because I want to learn to crochet. I don't think it matters what group you join, just jump in !!

I’ve been toying with the idea of joining a dating site such as Ourtime, having seen the adverts for it in tele.
I will be fifty this year.
Something that puts me off joining is that I’ve heard people say that the many of the men around my own age are normally looking for ladies ten to twenty years younger than themselves.
Is this true or just a rumour?

Join a band. If you are not very musical and just want a bit of fun, a ukelele band will be just the job, often a free few lessons can be undertaken at a public library but if you want to really swing then nothing beats a bagpipe and drum group. Virtually all pipe bands offer free tuition on the practice chanter or drum pad until you get going and there are tons of free videos to learn the basics.

Bridge at my local club and on line keeps the brain going,most bridge clubs have beginners classes.
Also patchwork, colours and patterns an endless source
Of pleasure and fulfilment.

Re Ourtime: A friend of mine did this after he was divorced, aged 74. He met quite a few ladies aged between late 60's and mid seventies, and was happy to go on dates with all of them. There were two he was quite taken with. The only reason he didn't really develop a relationship with any of them was that they all lived a bit too far away for spontaneous outings etc. He is having a bit of a rest from dating over the summer while he does work on his house, but I think he will re-join in the autumn.

In Buckinghamshire there are organised walks called 'Simply Walk'. They are grades so there are ones for different abilities. Since retiring I go on a regular 1 hour walk every Friday which ends with a sociable coffee. When I first joined the group I found I already knew a few people, some from my church, one through volunteering and one was a former member of a choir I sing with. I expect there are similar groups elsewhere. For keener walkers there is 'The Ramblers' though they are a bit too energetic for me!
I'm planning to relocate to a new area before long and will need to put these ideas into practice. I'll be moving to be nearer family, but need to build new friendships of my own as there is no guarantee my family won't move away in time. My priorities will be a church, volunteering, a choir and a walking group. Hopefully that will also keep me fit and active so I can cope with a bit of helping with my young grandson.

My advice is general : Wherever you are, be interested in the other person. Talking about yourself too soon can often seem needy or arrogant – very off-putting. If they want to know more about you, they will ask. If they don’t ask about you then they are probably not people you want to spend time with. And a smile usually gets a smile in return.

I have made some very good friends when I have been travelling on solo holidays. I once met an Australian lady on a tour in America and we are still friends 40 years later. I also made a friend on a trip to Sri Lanka and we are still in touch 3 years later. Travelling solo, even in the UK, means you meet like minded people as well as seeing different places.

Joined a gym and made two new friends.
Keeping fit with yoga , tai chi and aqua aerobics ?‍♀️ ?‍♀️
Bonus great teachers and cafe to meet up with others after class for ☕ and a chat.

Until recently I haven’t had time to join clubs, with the exception of the local W.I. and a walking group that I never could find time to get to after only doing two walks.

I meet people through my voluntary work and by befriending people that spend a lot of time alone.

For four years after retiring (until the lockdowns) I worked as a volunteer once a week, arranging and displaying flowers at our local hospice. I loved it, as I was doing something useful to cheer up the patients, something I enjoyed and I was also meeting other volunteers during breaks.
At last after two years it looks as though I may be able to volunteer at the hospice again, this time helping with craft activities at the Day Hospice. Looking forward to it! ?