To ask what are your teens sociable hobbies.

[Pippyls67]

Ds is 18 and left school last year. Works from home on a farm so not meeting new people. He got badly bullied in school so now doesn’t mix with anyone from there. It was just too traumatic to cross paths with the same boys as they were out sometimes with lads he did actually get on with. Anyway to cut a long story short he’s super lonely. He’s getting bitter and angry about his situation. What social hobbies do your own teen boys do / or maybe your partners do if they’re younger ? Unfortunately he says he’s ‘rubbish’ at ball games. I think that was partly why he struggled with making friends at school too. His primary friends all played football and rugby and grew in their social circles while he didn’t. Anyway any suggestions would be great. He goes to the gym a lot so he’s fit and strong. It’s not very sociable - but it does get him away from home. Please comment with suggestions as it’s absolutely breaking my heart.

Volunteering. Something like Scouts or St John's Ambulance
Meet a variety of people and also opens up loads of opportunities

Does he play an instrument? Mine have done orchestra and bands. Also scouts, 1 is now a young leader.

Is their young farmers in your area? That was always the most sociable club when I was a late teen/early 20s and everyone was desperate to demonstrate some link so that they actually met the criteria to join.

Young farmers is the most obvious. Are you near water? Could he go and learn to kayak or canoe at the local club? The ones near me are all on the water en masse and seem to be a friendly bunch.

Gym? My ds loves the gym for the social side of seeing friends and catch up as much as the actual workout.

Bell ringing

I'd agree with you farmers and some sort of martial arts outside your normal area as he might cross paths with the boys he wants to avoid. You can often do gym at the martial arts places.

Cross fit or group fitness?

Lighting/sound/sets for am dram or other performing arts? Being able to do heavy physical work is an asset.

Local snooker club. They have comps running Saturdays and a couple of nights a week.

It would be better to follow his interests though. Could he build on anything round the gym? Do a fitness class, or a course to be a personal trainer? Join a running club?

Young Farmers

Maybe an athletics club?

DS1 is 19, he does Kendo, debating and archery each week (at university) and dinghy sailing ad hoc.

A local young walkers club is an idea. Although he may need to be 20 for that in some areas

Sorry, you said he already goes to the gym.

local politics
local community centres/library
meet up
volunteering

what does he like?

Running clubs seem really friendly and inclusive. Sounds like his confidence has been knocked I hope he finds something he enjoys.

Football for DS
Drama for DD

My teen DC are both members of the local athletics club. They’ve made some great friends there and there are so many events to choose from, running, jumps, throws etc there is usually one you find you’re good at.

DD goes to a climbing club.

DH is into Warhammer

Young farmers however it might be that people will be there he would rather not see. Ds does rowing which is social so if you have a river or a sea club near you he might like it. Are there any team sports at the gym like badminton etc he could try?

My 18 yo DS took himself off to our local climbing wall and has found it pretty social.

The obvious one is getting a hybrid job. Wfh full time seemsv wrong for young people.

What about volunteering? Local day centre or food bank or perhaps kids clubs such as cubs, scouts, cadets etc. Kids clubs are usually desperate for help. I know you’ve said he thinks he’s rubbish as ball sports but he could look at a local club and maybe work behind the bar on a weekend? Not all weekend but one evening which would get him out and chatting to people. This has really helped my nephew who is 21 and has just come out of an abusive relationship. He’s working the bar at the local rugby club and they’ve helped him so much.

My 3 daughters are climbers. The climbing community is really sociable, lots of hanging out at indoor walls chatting and climbing. They did youth climbing clubs when younger but now often go alone just for a climb and always end up having a great time.