Making new friends.

Take it slowly and put yourself in a position to meet people but without a commitment. I think lots of things like WI and U3A allow a free first meeting so you could go along and see if it suits.

When I stand waiting at the bus stops someone always speaks to me and one day I know I will take it further. Walk where people walk their dogs and admire the furry pets, if you do it a lot you will get to know people. You might even offer to look after the dog when they go away.

Good luck

Thanks nonnie.

Could a coffee morning be organised? If you do not like it, after a respectable time you can always leave. I think that is much better than meeting in a pub- I for one would not enter a pub on my own and I also would not like to be out at 8.30pm. Meet during daylight hours and not for long.

I have tried a Meet up group locally. They often go to the cinema, which I don't think is the best idea when you're trying to make friends, as you are all sitting there watching a film. Maybe a quick coffee after. I did visit a local stately home with them, which was OK.

I think a walking group is better, as you chat to all types as you walk, and can then hang back and join another few, so you chat to various people over the walk. and often there is a pub lunch after.

I have been on a good bird watching walk with local U3A with a pub snack after. Our WI also has a walking group. I've also been on Health Walks, the length varies between 1 mile and about 7. They all seem to have a nice collection of people.

I think you have to keep going for a while, and maybe try and suggest a coffee after. I know it's hard.

Final idea, walk a dog for others, instead of the commitment of your own..... Borrow My Doggy, or Cinnamon Trust. People certainly talk to dog walkers. Good luck.

Think about your own interests and hobbies then see if there is a group or society to help you further those interests. A gardening club? A creative writing group? a reading group? A steam railway preservation society? Poetry, photography or knitting clubs? Keep fit/Zumba? It's easier to form friendships if you start out knowing you have interests in common with other people.

We moved house a year or so ago and faced these same challenges. You have to take it slowly but at the same time you can't be backward about coming forward, IYSWIM. OH and I both have a passion for vintage commercial vehicles so we joined the local vintage vehicle society and do some voluntary stuff in the museum, join in with group outings and so on.

I've been to National Women's Register meetings - that isn't necessarily for me but, as a result, I've been introduced to a pub quiz team and a writing group. I'm also contemplating the photographic society and there are endless charities of all sorts crying out for volunteers.

Look under Meet Ups on these forums and see if there's a gathering of GN members in your area. If there isn't - organise one!

If you have a "local", go and sup the odd glass of something, join in on quiz night or cheer on the darts team. You don't have to be a rabid boozer to enjoy social life in the pub.

Go to a Gransnet meet up if you can. Ours are very friendly and usually between 4 and 6 people attend.This may well lead to something else.

About 2 years ago, locally to me, a woman set up a group for people on their own but during the day so it does leave some people out.
They meet every Wed lunchtime between 12:30 and 2:30 pm in the Conservatory of a local pub.
This means if anyone wants to eat they can go through to the bar to order food but no problems if you don't want to.

A friend of mine has gone along almost from the start and has made friends with some, quite good friends too.

They do theatre trips for those interested and some go to a pub quiz another evening.
They organise in turn ,it is very varied so most tastes are catered for at least once a month.
You just go to what interests you.

I think it can get a bit cliquey but I think that is inevitable in any group.
She hasnt said lately but I think the ratio of men to women is about 1 man to 7/8 women , which I think rather disappointed my friend as she was hoping to meet someone?

I organised 2 coffee mornings. It might sound a bit petty but nobody else(in the small group) is doing anything. I might try WI. I'm very poor at evening things, especially in winter.

What we do at the end of our coffee morning is to set up the next meeting and because there are so few of us, 4 in total we have made a pact to let the others know if we cannot come. That way nobody has to arrange anything and there are so few of us we do not have to book a table.

mmm its little tips like that which are so helpful Charley.

We 4 GNs have been meeting monthly for well over 3 years now. We come from different walks in life and get along like a house on fire which is really good.

The only thing I do is to advertise it on GN about a week before we meet but I never say exactly where we are meeting in case we encourage somebody from outside GN. I say to contact me via PM and I will give the directions in case any local member wants to join.. One has to look after the safety aspect.

Could you volunteer oldbatty? I volunteered at our local court and am still friends with a few other volunteers and now I volunteer for Alzheimer's Society.

thanks kitty. I have done a lot, a lot of volunteering! Feel a bit burned out to be honest.

I have considered starting a meetup group.
Of course, that's as far as I've got, but its a start.
The thing is, I don't want to go to soul nights, shopping days out and so on.
I just want a friend (or two!) to eat toast with, drink tea, have a laugh, and support each other.

argh.....shopping days!!!!

exactly.
I live in hope of meeting 'the one', friend wise.
Someone I can be open and share things with, and who can tell me her (or his) worries, so I can help them too.

I'm single but have made friends from the adult education class I go to. I've just been to my first Gransnet meeting and met some very nice ladies. I chat to the other swimmers at the weekly over 60s swim. If there was a U3A nearer I would go to that and would go to WI if it was daytime. Book clubs are another possibility.
My local Meetups all seem to be evenings for young people so that's not on for me.
I think there are lots of things you can join to meet people but it is a bit pot luck if a close friendship follows.

I set up a WI when I moved and although I am no longer a member a group of women I met there have become good friends and we are often on jollies together! Try out a few WI groups to see if any suit you.
I think it does need a bit of effort to make friends so maybe going out at 8:30p.m. would be worth it if friends are made! (maybe wait until next Spring when the evening are lighter!) Sometimes libraries (or Waterstones) have book groups ..that might be worth investigating. Volunteering at a local NT property is what a few friends do and they have met new pals that way.