How to get a social life!

[HappySonHappyMum]

This sounds like I'm interfering but I'm really not - my 20 year old DS is lonely. He tells me so. He's been working away with people his own age but now that has come to an end and he's back home working. He's not overly confident, not a drinker and needs some friends to socialise with. He has no friends from school as he was bullied. Does anyone have any ideas of things he could do, to get himself out there to meet people. I don't know where to start to help him and I feel sad that my lovely boy feels this way.

Sounds cliche but does he like football? Maybe join a team?
Also where I live they are crying out for young people to volunteer as 'leaders' at police cadets, army cadets etc whilst he doesn't have to have any formal training, he would be a good young role model and it would help him to build up confidence.

Or join a cycling club?
The gym?
Or even meetup.com

I've been there and it isn't easy. I'd normally ask if he has any plans to go away to university but in these covid times I don't know if that would help. Is there any chance of moving back to where his workmates are?

I moved to the UK 13 years ago, didn't know anyone. On Saturday i was at a friend's birthday, with a large group of people who are all my friends. And i can track all of that back to joining a cricket team when i moved here. Most of the people on Saturday (male and female) were never involved with the cricket team at all, but it can be linked back to people who were. So i would recommend your son get involved with some sort of group activity, be it sport or something else.

I'd suggest he looks into joining a sporting activity, could be in a group one or gym and go along at similar times so he gets to know the regulars a bit. If not, find a club for something that may interest him. Not easy at the moment, but any job that he can get. If a job isn't an option, perhaps a college course in September. Even if he doesn't make true friends from any of these options, he'll get to know others and have company. Does he have any local cousins who he could meet for a catch up?

He used to play football a few years ago but injured himself and had to stop. He's on an apprenticeship so his future is mapped for the next three years, he gets sent around the country in blocks so it makes it doubly difficult. Doesn't help we have virtually no family so no social life from that.