free time ideas

XYZ1000

hello

I looking for some cheapish ideas on how to spend some free time. I am a single mum and my time has been filled with my child for 15 years or work. I am feeling it now that he off doing his own stuff.
I just feel quite strange doing stuff on my own. Has anyone else been in this situation. Most of my friends have children so it feels strange to be out with them and not my own.
Feel like it is time for meeting new people and making some new friends but how where? All even things that you do on your own out of the house that you enjoy to help me on my way !

balletshoes

is there swim/dance/exercise class you're interested in doing? You don't need a friend to go to that with you.

kingfisherblue

Is there a community centre near you? Our local centre has a variety of courses and clubs - sports, painting, languages, Maths, English, meditation and relaxation, book club, etc. Many are free and the others cost very little.

Or what about voluntary work? I'm a Brownie and Rainbow guider, and it isn't just an hour a week! In addition to meetings, there is planning, shopping, researching resources, etc - and we fit in an occasional social event as well

Your local college is likely to have numerous courses beginning in September - is there anything you would like to learn?

Errata

Feel like it is time for meeting new people and making some new friends but how where?

This might interest you http://www.nexus-uk.co.uk/nexus-inanutshell.asp

XYZ1000

Hi
Balletshoes yes I go to the gym a few times a week when I can get my bum there. Keep thinking of doing some of the classes but thinking is as far as i have got. So will put that on my list thanks for the reminder.

Kingfisherblue there is a community centre nearby not ever looked into what happens there so thats worth a try. Wasn't sure about the learning something I dropped out after two years of a degree a few years ago as at that time i couldnt fit it in. Maybe something less serious could be worth looking in to.
The voluntary work is an idea I thought about awhile ago too at the local hospital to also look into if I would enjoy working there.

Errata thats site looks good. I will look into that.
Thanks everyone things are looking much better than they felt an hour ago!

CuppaTea

I am in the process of starting up a book club with another friend of mine, we are both mummies who are fed up having nothing else but work and children. We both want to meet new people, but there are no available book clubs in our town. So we decided to set up our own and today we met to discuss how to do it. We hope to start in October if we can get enough interest.

That might not be for your, but I just wanted to let you know I can relate to how you feel.

kingfisherblue

Of course, there is also the possibility of volunteering for your community centre. I am a director of our local centre - not as fancy as it sounds! I attend a meeting each month and help with decision making. I also help out if needed (on reception, making coffees, etc) at times that suit my caring responsibilities. I've had the chance to attend courses that otherwise would not have been available to me - some a single afternoon, others a day a week for up to four weeks, so no major commitments. I've learned a lot informally as well, and I know that if I pop down there, there is always someone to have a chat to, whether they are staff, other volunteers, or centre users.

Our town has several community centres, so if you don't feel that the one nearest to your home is what you are looking for, don't give up - try another one.

hazyjo

A part time (paid) job? Doesn't have to be volunteering.

A college course? If you've the cash, that would probably be my choice. Get that GCSE you always wanted. Or a degree even. Or make pottery, mosaics, art class, cookery, learn to cut hair... anything! Could do a new thing every year or two.

Jx

tea_lover

I'm in a recently formed community choir which is great fun. It's definitely more about enthusiasm than talent! I also do some volunteering for Cancer Research and Christian Aid - the list of places you could volunteer at and the types of help needed are just endless. There's bound to be a charity or community group that appeals to your interests somewhere.
I used to attend a knitting group which was great but I haven't been for ages.... must make an effort to get back there.
I initially went to all of these things on my own and yes, it was a bit daunting but what's the worst that can happen? You don't enjoy it and so don't bother with that one again. Plenty of other things to try if that happens.

Good luck - sure you'll find something you enjoy.