Social groups for introverted, home schooled 12 year old

[HippyGranny]

My 12yo home schooled Granddaughter is shy and introverted, not at all sporty or outdoorsy, and has expressed an interest in meeting other young people. I've looked for local groups, in particular art based activities, but have drawn a blank. What can any of you suggest?

Thanks @CharityShopMensGlasses , an art and craft cafe would be perfect and I'll take your advice to approach local groups about ideas too.

Fire cadets.
Police cadets.
St John's ambulance cadets ( hard to get into though I understand as all the kids who wants a medical career start very young at Badgers and move up).
Parkrun volunteering.

OP, 12 is tricky for art groups-I don't know of any near us. Our local library do some book based clubs for younger teens and we have a million sport/scouts/cadets options. I can think of holiday craft groups for primary age and adults, but nothing in between and neither would facilitate her making friends her own age. Lots of things that would have similar elements to school, like uniform and structure. Hope she finds her thing.

That's so kind @maggisimpson , we're in Reading.

If DD enjoys art and you live in Reading, what about Julie’s art classes or Inner Canvas.

I know there are things in that area for home ed children. Try searching home education Berkshire, Home Education Reading, Home Education (more local town) on Facebook. Groups will come up with

I’m sure I have seen other people posting about home ed in Reading so definitely search for facebook groups, but if it’s anything like our area, lots of things are organised and advertised via WhatsApp groups. If you can’t find local active facebook groups though, posting on HEFA on Facebook (Home education for all) is a really excellent suggestion as it’s such a large group, there’s bound to be someone from your local area who can help you.
I know of 3 home ed art groups in our area and it’s smaller than Reading so I would be very surprised if there aren’t any nearby.

There is a FB group here OP

What about the Saturday Club organisation for arts-related stuff?

https://saturday-club.org/join-a-club/?nscclub=Reading%20College,%20Activate%20Learning%20Art%26Design%20Saturday%20Club

https://www.facebook.com/groups/369381826410059 Home Education Reading group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/332606693446176 Home education West Berks

My little one is only three so I am a long way off needing this, but I have been reading with interest and I love how many ideas are on here already. The art cafe suggestion sounds perfect for her interests. One thing I would add is that the first session is the biggest hurdle, so anything that offers a taster or lets a parent or grandparent stay nearby for the first visit takes so much pressure off. Groups where the activity does the talking, like a painting or craft session, are much easier to walk into than ones built around icebreakers. Hope she finds something she loves.