Need a social life!

BrokenBetty_2

I'm feeling rather lonely.

I have a few weeks off work on a sick line (stress, diagnosed anxiety and depression), and not being at work has made me aware that I have been dependent on work, my husband and in laws for the vast majority of my social time.

I've been living in Omagh for 6 years now - my husband is from here, he is very close to his family, and we moved here after finishing our degrees. My family are all Co Down - about 2 hour drive away. My best friends are all drive away too. I see my family at least once a month, and my friends a few times a year, and we have a close relationship via text, facebook etc.

The first few years I did agency work locally - never long enough in one place to settle and make friends. I now have a good permanent job - an hours drive away. Several of my collegues drive a similar distance in different directions.

So I've struggled to make local friends - people who live in the same town, that i can have a social life with.

I have just joined a knit and natter group, which I'm enjoying. There are a few ladies my age group, as well as a few older ladies, and everyone is very friendly. This is in my library which I can walk to.

Looking for ideas of other groups i can join - free or low cost, where I can meet people, and get out of the house. Omagh is a good sized town, so i reckon it will have similar opportunities for me compared to other towns in NI. Omagh specific ideas are great too

All ideas much appreciated!

asajj

Betty, try using http://www.meetup.com/

belfastgirl23

There is surprisingly little on Meetup for Omagh! One event! You might want to start your own 'blow ins' meetup group Betty. I have a friend who moved to Omagh a while back and he said exactly the same thing. There must be a number of people like you in the town. As you say it's big enough and has enough going on that some people are bound to move there for work etc.

You could also try volunteering - it doesn't have to be in a charity shop, it could be befriending people, providing training or being on a board or something - which would give you more of a reason to interact with people. Try volunteernow.co.uk - they have 14 pages of opportunities within 10 miles of Omagh

Good for you for identifying the issue though. It is a problem in NI generally, that people are often still in friendship groups in their 40s and 50s that were established at school or uni. Which is a really nice thing but not if it precludes making new friends.

BrokenBetty_2

That is my problem - school and uni friends, who all life at least an hour away, most are more like 2 hours, and friends and family are all in different towns and villages. I am a very happy driver, which makes things easier. But with the distance it feels like we have to plan something to make it worthwhile. Spending an hour just having a coffee doesn't seem worth the 2 hour drive either side.

I have done some voluntary work with a local first aid organisation, its been a great way to get to get to know the local community. However, it does tend to attract a lot of teenagers needing something for their UCAS form. There are only three members who aren't old enough to be my elderly parents, or young enough to be my child - and two of those have just moved 2 hours down south

There is an animal santuary locally, will explore that.

Mistral001

I think if you go to a group or try something new, with the sole purpose of meeting people, you will be disappointed. I think you have to widen your interests outside of work and family. Perhaps start with something you did when you were much younger, like sport or collecting something. It is unfortunate that it seems that evening classes are fewer than they used to be as that is often a good way of cultivating a new interest, but you might find something a your local FE college that interests you.

Zola.

Sallys night club!! whoop whoop! haha

In all seriousness, try a new hobby, sport, gym class or club

lazer

Look for events such a ladies nights at local places.


I go horse riding on a ladies night (Complete beginner) and have met up with a lovely group of people (Unfortunately it's in Co.Down, not Omagh).


I also volunteer at a youth club.


I have a lot of friends from Derry, and to meet for Dinner mid week, we would meet in Belfast, Antrim or Toome - so a halfway meet instead of a 4 hour return journey - could you do this with your friends?

BrokenBetty_2

Lol, I do like Sally's.

The animal santuary interests me - we have 2 dogs(unwanted and unloved by last owners) and 4 cats, all strays. So given our habit of picking up stray furry creatures, it suits. I feel I need more social contact, as well as opportunities to develop friendships.

rachel_green

Lazer


Where is this horse riding class and what night?
How much is it and does it involve mucking out?