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

Join a group. I went and introduced myself to our local Knit & Natter group in the library, its a good place to find out what's on locally. I haven't joined the local community choir yet because of covid, but I'm going to join when they start up again in the Autumn.
I needed to push myself as I'm not very outgoing, but it was worth the effort.

I joined a floristry group just before Covid and it was really interesting and fun and challenging. I had to drag myself there as I can be so lazy but it was so worth it and I am still in touch with some of the students and I would take my finished pieces to my Mum who is bed bound. I’m thinking of doing the next course. There were concession fees too if you are eligible. These pictures are from one of my classes.

I have always believed in getting involved. In the past I have volunteered round our village and I am determined to start again although there is always something else more pressing in the short term at the moment.

It’s good to turn off the tv and get out of the house. Meet up with a friend or go for a walk. I keep in touch on the phone with a few friends and family, especially those who need the contact.
You need to find something to enjoy, it’s not easy when you are by yourself.
For me, it’s about accepting and being content and confident doing things myself, just living life everyday. Appreciating the here and now, seeing positives in life. I suppose the phrase, being happy in your own skin.
I’m quite happy doing a jigsaw for hours on end or just watching tv or reading a book. But we all need company at times so it’s important to just go out. Turn off the phone and head out anywhere

Look what your Community Centre, Church or school's around your area have to offer could be that they are doing flower arranging or Cake decorating and it's a good way to make new friends.

What about joining a choir or music club?

Lots of good advice given above. To add just generally chat to people around you be it at a bus stop or in the supermarket queue. I have a long term friend that originally we used to just chat at the bus stop on the way to work. At the time I never would have thought we'd be good friends years later.

Also, you may not make a long term friend but it could give you or the other person a warm glow of kindness and helpfulness. I never would have realised but after a friendly chat at the supermarket last year the lady in question had not been out of the house for over a year due to covid and being vulnerable. The church hall she used to go to for a coffee was still closed. After a chat she said she felt much better and brave enough to have a walk around the park. Sometimes a warm smile and caring word is all that's needed.

Volunteering in the village! Tomorrow I'm doing the morning shift in the shop and the evening shift at the pub; about as social as it comes...

I've made new friends by joining a local group which has been set up to help people who want to host Ukraine refugees. Some people are hosting or hoping to host and some are supporters. It has a WhatsApp site with lots of useful information and contact details. It's absolutely brilliant (and so is Jane, the lady who started it). Over 50 Ukrainians are now in our area or e expected to arrive soon.

Realise that you're not the only one needing new friends.
Be brave when you meet someone by chance and have an interesting encounter.
Offer a contact method - where you'll be on a Wednesday, e-mail address, phone number.
Just the other day I met a lady whilst I was clerking for the local election. I'm hoping to see her at a local group I belong to next week.

One way is to volunteer at your local charity shop, hospice or food bank. When we moved to a new area, I joined the local (council run, so not overpriced) gym, and met some lovely people who have become very good friends.

I joined one of our local health walks. I was a bit anxcious about going for the first time, by my self, but people were friendly and many of those are now close friends.

Find something you are interested in like art, fitness classes or social groups and join in. As well as enjoying something you are interested in you will meet like-minded people that will be happy to socialise with you.

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Whatever you choose to join go on your own, don’t go with a friend. It may seem intimidating and frightening but it is the best way to meet new friends. Going with a friend unfortunately means no one will bother to chat to you. Be brave and go on your own. This works!

I go to an Art class. It's not uncommon for people to ring up, book a place and then not show up! We all joined not knowing anyone, we understand it's scary, but just have a go. It's worth it.

I think you have to make a huge effort and put yourself out there which for some can be very hard. When I moved to a completely new area I joined the local choir, volunteered at the village school, joined an art group in the next village, went to the local church (the lady vicar is now a very supportive friend even though she knows Im not much of a believer!) and the WI. Although there were some very interesting speakers I found the WI cliquey. They all had ‘their’ particular seats and at 2 Christmas dinners I was the odd one at the end of the table having been moved on by an unhappy member after plonking myself down in the middle.? Friendly enough but not so welcoming to a newcomer. After lockdown I decided not to return. I and a friend I made at the art group started our own in a nearby small town which is now flourishing and I have made some good friends within the group. I’ve been in my village for over 4 years and although everyone is chatty, I have yet to make one ‘friend’ there. I had a NY party for my near neighbours in year 2. They all came and made merry but I have yet to be invited back for even a cup of tea. Very unlike my original home village 400 miles away, where everyone was welcome.

Of its intellectual challenge as well as meeting people several charities are looking for Trustees. I am a Trustee of the local hospice. As a retired nurse I missed the companionship fellow nurses and the job satisfaction but as a Trustee I can offer my help and feel useful.

Go on a coach trip solo! To avoid single room supplements and make friends at the same time you might be able to find a company that will allow two singles to share a room - this was definitely possible pre-covid.

Meeting others with the intention of finding new friends face to face depends somewhat on where you live and how much time you have when not working or have other commitments.

I used to live in large village but it was very close to local towns. After retirement, I was spoilt for choice of volunteering jobs and the potential of meeting new people. One I did was to help at a local primary school and also become a governor there. Another was in a community park. I joined the committee after seeing a poster on the board. I helped with fund raising and also activity days for families. Through both these places I gained friendships and we visited each others houses many times.

I met my now DH in my mid 60s and decided to move to where he lives. I still keep in touch with a very close friend from the park group. However, I am now in a very rural, isolated part of another county. Beautiful, tranquil and peaceful though it may be, the countryside also has the potential to be a lonesome place. Our social life is us two.

My commitments are about to lessen as we are close to finishing building our new home. I left all my friends behind in my old county some 300 miles away and those lunches, theatre trips and garden visits with those friends have gone.

Already, I have my name down to volunteer with Cornwall MIND but have had no luck with the two fairly local schools. My walks with my dog mean I stop quite often to chat to other dog walkers. I am more a listener than a talker.

I have found friends through GN. Virtual ones. One avenue I want to explore are road trips and group dog walks.

Join your local U3A branch. There is bound to be a group that appeals to you. I am part of an "Any Good Music" group where we discuss folk, classical, C&W, choral, pop etc depending on who is hosting that month. I have met new people and been introduced to music genres I wouldn't have considered.

Whatever you choose to join go on your own, don’t go with a friend. It may seem intimidating and frightening but it is the best way to meet new friends. Going with a friend unfortunately means no one will bother to chat to you. Be brave and go on your own. This works!

Probus clubs are good but being a person who is good at listening to others is a good start wherever you are. I mean really listening and making appropriate responses rather than just faking it. People are interesting, especially older people with lots of memories and experiences !

I find I always made friends walking my dog,everyone used to stop and chat a dog is certainly a good starting point.
Taking DGC to library for story time,you will meet other GMs every week.
I have also made many virtual friends on GN since it started all those years ago and we keep in touch via PMs every week.

We moved house and county when we retired. We joined our local church, u3a,bridge club(me) and local choral society (DH) and we have made lots of new friends through these activities.

I think that you should think about what you really like to do and what makes you happy, for example photography, cooking swimming etc. Then join a group that love it as much as you do because then you will be with like minded people and you'll feel understood and you'll fit in and most importantly you'll feel like you belong somewhere

Join your local church. I moved areas and now have several friends and many pleasant acquaintances from joining my church. A member put me in touch with another agency and I now volunteer there on one day a week and have met other people there too