How best to make friends in your thirties?

[Emma123batmab]

I’m single and want to find friends. Work is a no go. I don’t have children.

www.meetup.com/

Parkrun. Running and volunteering

Start up a bookclub or join one?

Volunteering. You are doing good deeds and also interacting with others. It’s a win win!

A part time /evening course? Nothing hectic if you didn't fancy it, something creative like baking, art related or the like. My DH did a part time course a few years back and met a lovely group of people. Still meets up with some of them for a drink occasionally.

I think something along those lines is ideal (if feasible) so as you spend a decent amount of time to get to know people and there's a lunch or coffee break involved so as you have a chance to chat

Do you have any existing friends? I've made a couple of really good new friends through old ones, just by going to social events with them that I wouldn't normally and mixing with their other friendship groups. Hopefully, if my friend likes them, chances are I will too.

I second Meetups too. I started going to a book group on there about ten years ago and even though I don't really go to it any more, I still see a lot of the people I met through it for lunch, drinks etc.

Find an activity/common interest with other people.
Listen, encourage and ‘check on them’ often.

If all else fails, get a dog 😂

Hi Emma, after recently becoming single (last weekend!) I have found myself in the same boat. Where are you based?

I'm starting out with work and neighbours. It's slow but I'm getting there. I'm also going to start going out more on my own see if that does anything

Place of Worship/Church if you are so inclined. I did an Alpha type course where we had a meal together every week and went away for a weekend together, a lot of us were a similar age.

Choir

Amdram

Dance classes

Rock climbing

Hiking

Volunteering

Community courses at college

Cousins and siblings of existing friends or friends of siblings and cousins

Made a surprising number of friends at WeightWatchers lol

Boot camp style classes at the gym

Work

Through walking dogs (you could volunteer with Cinnamon Trust if you don’t have a dog).

Gym

A modern WI group. If they have a Facebook page it's a good bet

I made all of my friends in my thirties via Facebook. Just joined loads of groups for various hobbies and went along. You have to be pro active.