How can I meet/make friends- help please

[Icandoallthings]

I'm a 47 year old female, married with a son doing A'level exams. Not originally from the UK but have called it home for the last 25 years. I don't have many friends with similar interests to mine and I'm looking for ways to meet people. I find it hard to make friends and find that when in a group, people tend to stick to the ones they already know or they don't seem to want to engage with me meaningfully. I'm pretty sure that I am approachable and am quite open to learning about other people. What would make you want to "befriend" a "foreigner" though I'd say I'm more british than I am from my home country. I am feeling very lonely though married too.

Join groups specific to your interests. That would be the best way I think.

Thanks. I find that people in such groups already know and seem to stick to each other and seem unwilling to let another in. Are there any "friends" meeting or making sites that people know of.

Have a look for a book group near you, they are a great way to make friends. The first place to check is your local library, and if they don't have one, try Find Events & Groups | Meetup (and pop your postcode in at the top). Often they're more about having a chat and a coffee than the book!

Thanks @xmasdealhunter I've just had a look at the link you sent and that looks like i may find something of interest. I just didn't know where to look.

See if you can find a local FB group. Ours has lots of info about local groups, well being etc. If your lifestyle is suitable you could consider getting a dog, they are brilliant ice breakers, plus good company. Evening classes, hobby based? Don't expect too much but if your life is full you will get to meet new people and possibly some may eventually become friends. Most people can count good friends on one hand.

Do you work? I make most of my friends through work, then there's something you already have things in common with. If you work remotely, could you do voluntary work in something you're interested in? My relative volunteers at a theatre and festivals, ushering etc and has made friends at those, as well as helping out at foodbanks and community groups (she's a very good person, better than me, ha!). I really think it's good to know what your interested in so there's a basis for the friendships and it's not just like meeting people at an exercise class where there's not really much to say about it. If you do meet likely candidates, I find the key is being interested in them, being a good listener, and being up for stuff, not waiting for them to do the running. I don't think the nationality comes into so much, only if you live somewhere very insular, it's more about what you're into so you can find your kind of people not just randoms.