Make Friends AND HAVE FUN!

With winter beckoning, seize the opportunity now to boost your social network while trying something new...

- CLAIRE SAUL

Friendship And Community 

Link up with like-minded people to support local good causes by joining an organisation such as The Association of Inner Wheel Clubs which promotes friendship and service to the community innerwheel.co.uk.

Good causes are also the remit of national fellowship networks for women such as Tangent www.tangent-clubs.org and the Women's Institute thewi.org.uk promoting the friendship and empowerment of women in the community.

Similarly, Townswomen's Guild members meet to develop skills, discuss topical issues and raise money for community causes townswomen.org.uk.

"True friendship is priceless," says The Oddfellows Society, who have helped people build bonds for two centuries oddfellows.co.uk

Life Lessons 

Book yourself onto a course. Study renaissance art, learn household DIY, how to decipher hieroglyphics, brush up your schoolgirl French, realise that wish to play the piano, get to grips with vegan cookery... there are hundreds to explore. Just give it a go - you've nothing to lose!

For a more broad-ranging approach consider U3A (University of the Third Age) with more than 1,000 UK-based groups for retired and semi-retired people with enquiring minds. u3a.org.uk

Helping Hands