Boscombe

[chelseamorning]

We lost our mum last year and now my dad is thinking about moving from Staffordshire to the Boscombe area of Bournemouth, as this was a place they enjoyed together.

He is obviously nervous about moving to a completely new area where he will know no-one. However he is happy to throw himself into the local community and to get involved, but is just not sure what is available to him.

He is aged 74 but is young at heart. He doesn't want to spend his time playing bingo. Does anyone have any older relatives in this area . If so, what sort of things do they do to keep busy, what clubs are available etc?

Any advice is most welcome!

There is a very active local community.
If he fancies volunteering the local (Hengistbury Head- wildlife) visitor centre and the Regent Centre ( Art Deco cinema /theatre) are run by volunteers.
There are a variety of sporting activities and clubs - tennis is quite popular in summer.
Several flat green bowling clubs including an indoor one quite locally and I believe the croquet club is still running -(an odd one I know!).
There are several walking, running and cycling clubs that cater to all ages.
There is a local allotment society - although there is a waiting list for that.
Several of the local angling shops run regular and reasonably priced fishing trips these are very popular.
There is often Tai-chi on the beach in the summer mornings - but I don’t know who organises that.
Christchurch has an artists society, and I'm sure other areas do too.
All of the local libraries run events and seem to have several book clubs.
and there is usually a large programme of events on in nearby Bournemouth throughout the summer - often free.
This is not a comprehensive list and just the things people have mentioned to me that they do..
I suspect It is a little harder in the winter when may of the outdoor activities slow down but still very well catered for compared to many parts of the country.

Wow, thanks, Darkness! A lot of food for thought.

My own family is moving to. Brockenhurst soon, which is why dad seems keen to also move. We have all visited Hengistbury Head recently and he loved it so I'm sure he'd be up for volunteering there, assuming he could get a bus there, as he has given up driving.

He likes his own company but also likes to socialise too. We wouldn't be that far away so we could help to minimise the loneliness during the winter. However being so close to the sea would help to life his spirits!

Hello,

You have already received some great advice, i just wanted to add that Gransnet Local have sites for Dorset and Bournemouth. I run the Bournemouth site and although it is very new we will have local volunteer opportunities and events and lots more. It certainly isn't just for grans either!
He is very welcome to join us.

Good luck with your moves!