Over 50s clubs

I wouldn't. I am 60 years and for the past few years I have belonged to over 50's clubs or as I call them now, social clubs, for fear of discrimination. I started off with one which was based at the Idea Store in Whitechapel and a bit later on I went to the Idea Store in Chrisp St which had one as well. Now I go to three and I am on Facebook as well and even when I am not at the actual over 50s clubs if I cant get there or if igt is not their days or something, I belong to a couple on Facebook, so there is no need to miss out. I enjoy talking to people and sharing things and everything. I think that is why I am so good at Front of House work because I get on with people. I have been a front of house many times and I am currently meeting and greeting at Conway Hall in Holborn for a series of Sunday classical concerts. I love it! It keeps you in touch as well. I would recommend it to anyone xxxxx

Did you join them because they were for over-50s, bigcoll, or because the people in them and the things they did sounded interesting ? I would resist anything specifically designed for old fogies. Too many organisers think that Bingo and singsongs of "Bluebirds over the white cliffs of Dover" are what over-50's want. Here's news for them - some of us had parents who were too young to remember Vera Lynn.

I'd rather go to something that has a mix of ages.

I'm with Elegran on this. I was once talked into going to an over 55s exercise class and it was all done while sitting on a chair! That has put me right off but I might join U3A sometime if I ever run out of things to do or feel the need for more company.

What Elegran describes, and chair exercises, fill me with horror, but I suspect those activities would be consigned to a much older age group.
U3A is full of interesting people, many close to 50, although the average age is older. No activity is for fogies though and the over 50 activity classes elsewhere are, well, usually very active. Zumba gold, and LBT (legs, bums, tums) require quite a lot of energy and effort. Grammaretto, give it a go and report back to us!

If I see bingo advertised I would run a mile. I could not agree more with Elegran I was around in the Stones era so would much prefer that to Vera Lynn who I switch off when she comes on TV.

I was giving a talk to a golden girls club not that long ago. The average age was 80 afaik.
They got lunch and a chat but it was for the very old and infirm.
My DM was in U3A 30 years ago so I always connect it with her. It has probably changed. Not sure if I have time as I still work part time but I will research it.
I think it's the age bracketing which I don't think I'd like as I never liked school for the same reason. I had friends in other classes even then.

Basis for U3A is you have to be retired or semi-retired. That's all. So you could be in your 40s but the youngest ones at ours tend to be in their 50s. We do have a lot of older ones too, we don't throw them out at any age.
Each U3A is individual, though the Third Age Trust is an umbrella organisation through which you can find details of ones local to you.
It isn't all yoga and exercise, there are quite a few study and discussion groups, and if you have expertise in an area you can start your own group to pass on the knowledge. I personally run an astronomy group.
Also, as the whole thing is run by volunteers, we are always in need of younger people to be on the Committee.

I’m thinking of Zumba Gold, anyone tried it? I’m quite shy ☺️

I can recommend Zumba Gold even if you are shy. The class I go to is very uplifting and you can enjoy without any interaction with anyone else or you can chat to others before and after class.

Hello all !
As the Community Development Worker for Age Concern Tyneside South I'm trying to put on stereotype busting things.
If any of you guys have any ideas on what you would like to see please get in touch on here or on [email protected]. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
(Brand new to Gransnet so if this has been discussed anywhere else I apologise)

That's useful yggdrasil thanks.
Our local branch has art and history groups where some friends go and enjoy. Talks and gallery visits etc.

A local Over 50s club was looking for new members and advertised themselves as a club "for those of us in our golden years". I've just turned 50 and the idea that I'm in my golden years with a child at primary school and almost 20 years of work ahead of me is both laughable and horrifying.

I may have posted a slightly cheeky reply on their page and I don't think I'll be welcome on any of their bus tours any time soon.

Our local U3A is the most cliquey group I've ever come across. They save seats for each other and new comers are told "You can't sit there"! Most were teachers or in "education" but obviously have a lot to learn. The few who do talk to non teachers are actually looking over your shoulder to see if there is anyone they would rather chat to. Must be so distressing for anyone newly widowed or alone and in desperate need of companionship.

I think age is irrelevant to clubs I join because I have an interest in the subject matter.
Does joining an over 50 club mean you don't do anything someone under 50 would do?

I joined my elders group without ever considering age.

Several years ago I was invited to join "our singing group" and it all started like that.

I am collected in the group's van, a hugely necessary thing for me as I can't use public transport or drive.
We have a wonderful time and lots of laughs.

The other group I go to is for any age but members are intellectually handicapped and older people.
Here we do crafts, play indoor bowls (the men mainly) Scrabble, cards and so on.

It is totally different in nature to the elders group but I enjoy both.

Funny thing is, before I started losing my sight, I wasn't a 'club person' at all. I didn't need to be, I could go where I wanted and do as I pleased.

Groucho said, 'I wouldn't want to join any club which would have me as a member!'

But surprisingly I love it and if I don't want to go at any time, I don't.

I must say, that, for me, the idea of joining social clubs just for older people has few attractions. I have always joined clubs where we are joined by a common interest, although sometimes that does, de facto, mean mainly people my age, whatever that age is. I would consider U3A as being an interest club, that happens to be age specific, rather than the other way round.

I do a Tai Chi class for the over 50s, although Tai Chi being what it is, I doubt it is very different for the under 50s. I suspect it only qualifies for the 'over 50 'tag because it is subsidised by a fitness initiative for older people and is held mid afternoon in the village hall.

After DH died I did join our local over 50s club, and although some of the talks were interesting I felt that I wasn't quite ready to join the blue rinse permed hair brigade who all seemed over 80 and had known each other for donkeys years. It was also very cliquey. I don't miss it!

However I go to a gentle yoga group, a couple of walking groups and a book club, all of which are open to any age and feel much more comfortable.

I am also being encouraged to volunteer with an organisation for the 'elderly', which is aimed specifically at people who find it difficult to get out and about and who are perhaps lonely and may not see anyone else from one week's end to the next. I feel and hope that it might do me as much good as I hope it does for them.

I did look at U3A, but none of the interest groups appealed to me. Anyway I am now busy enough.

Have a look at this.

www.fiftyplusnorthantsadventureclub.org.uk

A club made entirely from recycled teenagers.

Eglantine21
That's more like it. I still sail now.
Joining a 'over 50s' club when I was in mine couldn't have been further from my world.

When I was in my late 60s there was a new community hall opened , it was to be a neutral venue for activities for the villagers and OH and myself went along to the meeting to see what was on offer . One woman wanted to start a club to get the older folk out of the house , but she called it ... "The Twilight Club " , she was laughed at , but a few of us knew what she meant and managed to get a committee under the name of the Wednesday club , now it is the Village Club
we have outings , handicrafts and talks , visiting choirs and quizzes .
We have members of all ages and abilities ,
we have an annual holiday away , suits people who don't have anyone to go away with , non members love to join us on this
The favourite bit is the chance to chat and catch up when we indulge in biscuits and coffee , this starts the morning , and once a month we have lunch before leaving , in the spirit of breaking bread together

Kamiso I think we must have tried the same U3A club, did you find anything that you were interested in and join

I recently started going to a coffee morning in a church hall, mainly because a neightbour could take me, I no longer drive. I had visited this club a couple of years ago (while my husband could be left) and was not impressed, so did not return; but this later visit turned out to be entirely different, someone had taken it in hand, and I now go as often as I can - I do remember Vera Lynn, and Run Rabbit Run Rabbit so I am of the older generation and probably enjoy this sort of thing more so than those younger than me
However, there are lots of the younger generation at this particular club many of them into crafts, and all working away to raise money either for charity or to keep the club running. Being lazy I play scrabble which I enjoy. Since starting that one my neighbour has kindly offered to take me to another coffee morning, run I presume by the small group of women who enjoy making cakes, because there are plenty there. Here I just sit and chat which is a joy, BUT I would think that several of these women who actually run this club would be considered to be over 50 who have found something they like doing which I think is rather clever and because of these two clubs I find I am being offered other opportunities I could not take part in whilst my husband was alive - that is not a complain, just a statement of fact. Both these activities are held in villages which seem to be good at these things, but without the transport provided by my friend I would be unable to take part. Nothing like a good friend.

I’ve joined two exercise sessions at a local community hall aimed at ‘prime ladies’. As I have a good level of fitness and muscle tone I thought it would be a dawdle.

Ha! Ha! bloody ha!

I’m struggling to keep up with these, mainly, over 70s. And what a lovely welcoming bunch they are too.

I like my elders group because everyone else is a different culture to me - I learn a lot and its great fun.

And they never, ever play the terminally boring Bingo