Looking To Take Up A Hobby

Art classes, learn a foreign language, listen to primary school children read (not really a hobby, but very rewarding) depending on fitness joining a rambling club, take up bridge.

Is there a local U3A that she could join? There are outings, lunches out as well as talks, lectures etc. Few are exam based.

Interest groups at our U3A include photography, geology, several languages, creative writing, reading group, Scrabble, crosswords... I could go on, but I'm sure you get the drift. There's something for everyone.

www.u3a.org.uk/

You tell us nothing about your aunt, age , fitness, what she did before retirement, her likes and dislikes. Any new activity needs to be something that addresses her existing interests and inclinations, not just an idea grabbed from the blue. She also needs to want to find an abiding interest.

If she is a people person, some kind of voluntary work may interest her. Most counties/towns have a Volunteers Centre. If not most council websites will have a volunteering section. The variety of opportunities goes well beyond Meals on Wheels and working in a charity shop. I became involved in the Churches Conservation Trust through seeing an advert on the Volunteers register on my county council website. I went to the website initially for something entirely different, road repairs or something, but wandered round it and found this site and opportunity.

Does she have something that really interests her, say, never misses a wildlife programme on television, in which case, her local Wildlife Trust might be interesting, they always need volunteers to do everything from office work, wardening, to guiding visits, ditto National Trust.

I think you need to think constructively, starting with who she is, what interests her and what she would be willing to do and, almost definitely, someone to go with her to the first contact meeting, going alone can be daunting.

It depends where her interests lie. Genealogy/family history can be very exciting, depending on what you uncover and I know from my own experiences it has put me in touch with a few second cousins, that I would have otherwise been unaware of.

I have recently taken up yoga and although I am not a particularly sporty person I do find it very beneficial even though I am not very good at it.

As flicketyb pointed out, it does have to be something that would interest her, may be a language. My husband loves his golf, but I know if he were unable to play that he would immerse himself further into his Spanish which he loves. We both enjoy being members of the National Trust and we both read a lot.

I would probably try out some of these if I found I had a lot of time on my hands. Art classes, up dating computer skills, history, both local and general, swimming, cooking classes, maybe learning to cook a cuisine such as Indian. Helping out in a library as a volunteer, or listening to young children read.

Is she a member of a church congregation, they often have quite a lot going on, my later mother's church were a wonderful support when she was widowed.

Difficult to decide a hobby for anyone else. A hobby tends to grow from one's own interests and opportunities.

It isn't always that easy to find a local U3A group - depends on where you live. I'd have to travel quite a long way to get to the nearest one to me, which in the dead of winter wouldn't be much fun!

That's true, Ana which is why I gave the link to the web site. That should have relevant information. Local libraries - where they still exist - should be a mine of information about activities in the vicinity. Perhaps your aunt is just not gregarious, Tab12. Is she on line? If she isn't AgeUK runs courses and so do many libraries.

Tab12 tell her to join Gransnet, she won't have time for any hobbies or cooking or cleaning or hovering or..........etc etc

This has been very helpful indeed, we spoke to my Aunt about the genealogy idea--thank you BAnanas-- and her face lit up!!, we got her started on that today and she absolutely loves it!! Wey hey!!

Thank you so much for all the contributing, talking about all the suggestions with her and other family members really helped. You are all so wonderful thank you

Biker I have to-day bought some knitting needles (first for years) and bought a pattern off e-bay to make doggy sweaters in all fab jazzy colours so I am going to practice on some for Poppy then spend my spare time knitting some for the dogs home they will have the brightest little jumpers going.
Tab12 Always look out for special offers on Genealogy Sites as you can get some very good deals if you look around.

TAB12, If she is getting interested in family history she would probably benefit from joining the local branch of the Family History Society. They are usually very friendly groups and can help her find out things about her family where a website like Ancestry cannot help.

She may like a family member or friend to accompany her to the first meeting, but it will help her get out to make more friends and acquaintances.

lol glam I can hear the clicking from here.....lol sounds good idea and will keep you out of mischief lol....good luck

TAB12 Does her Local Authority run evening or day classes in genealogy? They are very good for getting you started and giving you new ideas about what to look for and where to go to find it.

She could probably do with another hobby as well, to turn to for a change when her mind starts to frazzle. Something to do with the hands without taxing the brain too much, and/or to exercise the body.

Why isn't she enjoying her retirement? Perhaps she misses work, colleagues, etc? In which case why not look at volunteering opportunities, there are plenty around.

Aka I don't know how I found the time to go to work to be honest,I don't have enough hours in the day now

I think I would shoot any family members who tried to steer me towards crochet or cookery classes !!

I'm so glad TAB12, researching family history was one of the most exciting things I have done of late. I hate to use this overused cliche but it can "take you on a journey", literally! Have spent time looking around churchyards and visiting record offices. When my mother was still alive, managed to put her in touch with a long lost cousin which she was thrilled about. I have amassed loads of material, mainly through a previously unknown second cousin who lives in Canada, we have both visited each other in our respective countries. Your aunt may find herself up cul-de-sacs at times and it can be frustrating but she may find it becomes an all enduring passion and there are many websites to assist. I got in touch with extended family initially through Genes Reunited.

Well said Soutra, I've been known to enjoy both crochet and cookery but I wouldn't want family or friends telling me how to live my life.

Some people enjoy not enjoying things, moaning and generally having a glass nearly empty, and never half full. Victor Meldrew syndrome

Oooh I do like a good moan though!!
It also occurred to me that TAB's auntie might be a fair age I know mine is in her 80's

And there was me about to suggest pole-dancing...

I hate retirement

janerowena

Not looking forward to it myself, BlueBelle...