Any ideas to help my Mum socialise

[DangerousMouse]

My Mum wants to socialise and get out more, she struggles socially and isn't able to do volunteer work, she also isn't able to join a ramblers or walking group, but she wants to make friends. She has a community centre near her but when she visited she said everyone was very elderly, she's looking to make friends and do day trips to theatre, garden centres, National Trust, that kind of thing, with younger elderly people.
I'm not sure if she's just putting obstacles in the way and it's her social anxiety stopping her meeting people or if she genuinely wants to, but I can't find any groups that may suit her.
She doesn't have any hobbies that she could join a group relating to...

Does she do social media?

Someone local to me has started a Facebook group for exactly what your mum is after - trips to the theatre, cinema, National Trust, etc. The group is open to anyone however due to the nature of the arrangements (most trips are daytime weekday) it attracts an older clientele. I think the group initially started on www.MeetUp.com

Has she tried U3A?

My parents joined when they retired and even my very socially anxious dad has managed to make friends through it. You can sign up for classes on anything, no experience required, and the other people in it are from retirement age upwards.

Suggest the WI, all sorts of activities. Usually a main monthly meeting then lots of other trips

This one has been advertising a lot near me woodhatchwi.wixsite.com/website/upcoming-events

How old is she?

Would she be interested in doing a course? Many local authorities have adult education classes eg cooking, dress making, art appreciation, languages. She may find it easier to make friends if it's incidental to something else (learning something).

Cinemas have special OAP sessions. With tea and biscuits. If she doesn't know any of the people they might start a conversation. Not guaranteed though. I did an evening computer course at age 58. I was the oldest person there except for the teacher. I didn't make any friends but I wasn't looking to and it was still nice, and useful.

Another vote for U3A.

Where does your mum live? If it is N. Yorkshire get in contact with the council and ask for her to be referred to Living Well.

If she does not live there ask her GP for a referral to social prescribing. They will be able to help your mum

My mum sounds very similar to yours. She had no friends when she was suddenly widowed as my dad was her only friend (apart from me). She only really made friends when she was truly ready to. Then she jumped in at the deep end and booked onto a holiday for single (slightly) older people and it was the start of her finding confidence in herself and forming new friendships. When she got home she joined an aqua class and a gym. She made quite a few friends this way (coffee afterwards etc) and also started saying yes to invites instead of no. There were people who were already in her life who became friends because she made more of an effort with them by going for meals and drinks. They are still her friends. As others have said, if she can get on social media, it could be a great start. It could be that like my mum, her confidence needs building up first.
Wishing her luck op.

Thank you all, She is in the South East, I have looked on meet-ups and there isn't anything apart from walking groups, she's definitely not up for doing a course, she has dyslexia and an adversity to education due to low self esteem from how her schools dealt with her difficulties.
One poster has mentioned something that may help very much, so I'll explore that

My mum has got a lot out of the WI over the years. I was talking with some friends the other day and all our mums seem to enjoy it.

Is there a reason why your Mum can't volunteer? I know a few people with social anxiety who have found volunteering actually makes the social interaction easier, as everyone there has a common purpose and a job to do - eg unpacking and sorting donations at a foodbank. You don't need to be making random conversation as you've actually got something to be getting on with, and it's easier to talk if you've got a genuine question, or discussion to be had around the activity, rather than just small talk, which I know some people find very difficult.
My mum ( in her 80s) does U3A, and also exercise classes run for over 55s by her local council- I think the GP referred her for those. She has made some friends through that. But how old is your Mum? And what does she like? Maybe a choir?

She can't volunteer to a variety of diagnosis which kept her out of work for a long time, hence the lack of friends I think. She really can't do anything where she is relied upon. She also can't do exercise classes.. she's so difficult. In regards to her likes - she likes her dog, watching TV, cinema and movies, going to garden centres - but she doesn't garden, she's so difficult. I think the WI is a very good call for her

Have you looked at local churches to see if they run any activities? Even Sunday services might be an idea - you can arrive just at the start time and leave promptly to start with and then move on to staying for coffee once it feels more comfortable.

How did your mum get on @DangerousMouse

Most councils will have an 'ageing well' coordinator or similar. Although much of it is exercise based ours also does bingo and craft sessions.

Church is a good call just for getting out and being with people.

There may be some church groups. My friends in Hampshire are church goers. I am deffo not but met a lady who moved in next door to my mum when she was still alive. They often go out and about.

Does her local area have a dog walking group ? It's a great way to meet new people as the attention is more on the dogs than the people so makes conversation flow.