older lone mum needs mates

[without]

Hi,
I'm a middle-aged long time single mum and am looking to find some people to meet up with once in a while for some culture, and general freindship... anyone any ideas

You could try the FREE buggy walk at Royal Victoria Country Park, Netley Abbey, Southampton on a Thursday afternoon at 2pm.

I could but I'm not sure my teenagers would be very impressed with a buggy walk ;o)

I'm an older mum to 2 kids aged 16 & 18.

There's a big craft fad going on in Southampton at the mo, lots of friendly groups and it's nice to have something to do with your hands and talk about.
Crafty Coffee at Trago Lounge in Portswood on Friday mornings, bring ANY portable crafty thing you fancy doing (have seen one lady doing a painting by numbers kit!)
Several social knitting groups about, all knitters love a beginner.

Since you can get out in the evenings, there's the Ukulele jam at Talking Heads (google them to when their beginners' night.) Ukes are cheap and v quick to teach yourself.
If you can vaguely sing in tune, try Women Singing for Fun on Wednesday evenings just off London Rd.

There's also a v cheap all-abilities yoga class on Friday nights at the university but you need pay per term. CAT me for the contact details.

Have you been to The Art House cafe on Above Bar? They have loads of workshops and social activity evenings.

Have been to all of these and can promise they are all v friendly and informal and welcoming to newbies. Good luck.

And have you thought about volunteering? Eg SCRATCH, Scrapstore, Brownies/Cubs, school committees, conservation groups etc.

The Art House cafe sound interesting - I'll try to pop along next weekend.

Mornings are out as I work FT. The knitting thing sounds interesting - and the singing although I've never sung and doubt I can hold a tune.

Conservation group might be promising... I'll see what's around.

Happy to help :-)
The art gallery has workshops too and The Arthouse is another volunteering opportunity.
Evening knitting groups happen at the Shooting Star pub and Ikea.
Most groups have a Facebook ro Yahoo group you can lurk on and spy til you're confident.

I used to live in Southampton and really miss going to salsa there. There is a great salsa club on Archers Road. You don't need a partner and it really is for all ages.

You can google tracieslatinclub. Good luck if you decide to go. You won't regret it.