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

For an easy first step … every time you’re about to leave your house - double check that you’re wearing a smile! It makes you look friendly and approachable, and puts you mentally in a sociable frame of mind. That way you’re more likely to have pleasant exchanges with those you encounter, which in turn is confidence boosting and will make the next step of joining a group or organisation less daunting.

If you're feeling bold, start something. With the Jubilee coming up and a 4 day weekend, put a note through your neighbours' doors asking who fancies getting together for a buffet (stand, chat, circulate) street party. Able or disabled, bring a chair, something you like to drink and a food contribution. We did it last time round, and I rarely leave my house without meeting one of my neighbours.

Or start a group if there's not one near, or a choir, whatever. A poster up in a couple of local shops might be all it takes.

I recommend the women’s institute - so much going on:
book clubs, theatre clubs, arts & crafts, a really great way to meet new people.

Join a local community choir - there are paid ones and free, informal ones in my area, no audition necessary. And it is suitable for people of all abilities. I've made many new friends in this way and singing in a group is naturally sociable.

I joined the Labour Party when I retired at 66. My partner died suddenly and I had a mastectomy and moved house, all within six months. I started out delivering leaflets and now at 73 am finishing my first four year term as a local councillor and am standing for re-election in May. It’s great being involved in helping the community and I have made many friends. So whatever party you support, if you get involved you will meet like minded people and maybe start a new career as a politician!

Join a local organising committee for an event.

All these suggestions are for members of the community who are still mobile and/or who can drive/have transport. There are people with moblility issues who cannot easily get out but who still have a lot to give in terns of interesting conversation, memories or communication skills. You can look at opportunities to be a "telephone friend" to others through various organizations.

I met a lot of new people after retirement by volunteering in a primary school helping 5 and 6 year olds with their reading.
I was asked to assist on school trips and got to go to theatres, castles etc and got to know my fellow volunteers.

Over 50’s swim sessions at your local pool.

A bit of gentle exercise, and some socialising in between.

Then maybe a coffee afterwards.

Look for a Gransnet meetup in your area.
If there isn't one planned then suggest one on the meetup threads, but remember to put the place name in the title.

Volunteering, whether it’s in a shop, driving people, helping out at local events, a myriad of choice. I’ve made two very good friends since I started, I’m happily married, but it’s extended my circle, my knowledge and makes me happy.

I would highly recommend joining your local U3A or University of the 3rd Age. The range of events and groups that are on offer are so diverse, there is something for everyone. Kayaking to extreme crochet, talks, cooking, conservation. You know if you join a group the others in it will have similar interests to you. And from that group, friendships grow.

National Women's Register is a good organisation to join later in life (or for that matter, at any time in life). Members meet in each others homes. The groups are smaller and it is easier to get to know each other. Every topic under the sun is up for discussion. There are many off shoots too, such as walking group, Language group, craft group etc. A monthly coffee morning at our local museum. Something for everyone. I heartily recommend National Women's Register as a way of finding and making new friends.

If you are still mobile find your local bowling club. It's perfect,especially if you are on your own. Most clubs have an open day in April offering taster sessions for new players. It's great fun, and you play against other teams so it's defo a good way to meet like minded people, make new friends, keep fit and have fun. When I retired it was the first thing I did and I never looked back.