Cheap/free ways to meet people and make friends!

Wellyboots6

Hi all,

This may sound like a really obvious question, but I am looking for ideas of free or cheap ways to meet people and make friends.

Due to various reasons I have lost touch with a lot of friends over the years, and am aware that I do not have many close friends.

How do you go about meeting new people and making friends?

Everything these days seems internet based or pub based (she says, asking the question on the internet!).

I am also pretty nervous when it comes to walking in to 'group' situations such as starting a class etc.

Thanks in advance

getmore4less

Friends are usualy got/retained through a common interest.

School
further education
Kids(other parents)
work
Hobbys
Volunteering
holidays(themed helps, eg cycling holiday).

One trick is to use people to meet other people so you may not be that keen on being friends with some people but still go out with them to access their social network.

Why not try to make contact with friends from the past a lot easier these days with the internet.

MandM90

What kind of things do you enjoy? The first thing that sprung to mind was to join a running club - many are a pittance for a years membership and you can come a few times for free - as the weather is just picking up now.

Wellyboots6

Thanks,
Some good ideas there.

I guess I struggle a little as I don't have kids and work from home quite a bit.

I could make contact with old friends, but is that not a bit cheeky? It is my own fault that I lost touch with people, and I wouldn't know how to go about trying to re-start a friendship without it looking bad (which it is) that I didn't stay in contact

Wellyboots6

MandM90 wrote: »

What kind of things do you enjoy? The first thing that sprung to mind was to join a running club - many are a pittance for a years membership and you can come a few times for free - as the weather is just picking up now.

That would be a good idea, but I have joint problems and so am unable to run. I manage a bit of a fast waddle but that is about it!

I am a member of a dog club and so have made a couple of friends from that. It does mean though that I do a lot of geeky dog talk which most people don't appreciate!

MandM90

katy721 wrote: »

Thanks,
Some good ideas there.

I guess I struggle a little as I don't have kids and work from home quite a bit.

I could make contact with old friends, but is that not a bit cheeky? It is my own fault that I lost touch with people, and I wouldn't know how to go about trying to re-start a friendship without it looking bad (which it is) that I didn't stay in contact

Is there a WI in your area?

Do you have a college near by? They often do cheap classes in arty things/cooking/DIY if any of those things interest you.

I wouldn't worry about that; if they aren't interested they won't reply but if you were genuinely friends there's no reason why they wouldn't be happy to hear from you.

Wellyboots6

MandM90 wrote: »

Is there a WI in your area?

Do you have a college near by? They often do cheap classes in arty things/cooking/DIY if any of those things interest you.

I wouldn't worry about that; if they aren't interested they won't reply but if you were genuinely friends there's no reason why they wouldn't be happy to hear from you.

I looked in to the WI and there is one in the village. You have to pay to join though and money is really tight

I guess you are right regarding previous friends. I will get on to that this evening, maybe go through my phone and email address book and start contacting people

MandM90

katy721 wrote: »

I looked in to the WI and there is one in the village. You have to pay to join though and money is really tight

I guess you are right regarding previous friends. I will get on to that this evening, maybe go through my phone and email address book and start contacting people

Good luck...the worst that can happen is they won't email back but I'm guessing you won't regret it

MandM90

Just had another thought; what about volunteering at your local dogs home/animal shelter?

angelil

Have you tried reading groups/poetry circles? I have definitely made friends through this in the past - even through online ones.

Wellyboots6

Thanks for all the suggestions, I will get stuck in to some of them now

I guess I am just worrying about being lonely. Just about to walk away from a relationship and am a bit apprehensive about being alone.

Now, what to put in my emails...