Social groups for over-50s: how to find them near you

The main routes into social groups for over-50s are u3a, Men’s Sheds, Age UK’s local activities, Ramblers Wellbeing Walks and social prescribing through a GP practice. Most can be found with a postcode search or a single phone call. What runs near you varies from area to area, so it is worth checking what is on offer locally before you set out.

At a glance

• u3a is open to anyone who is not in full-time employment, and members run it themselves with no classes or exams.
• Men’s Sheds are community workshops, with over 1,000 venues across the UK, Isle of Man and Channel Islands.
• Ramblers Wellbeing Walks are free, short and slow to steady, in England and Wales.
• The Silver Line Helpline on 0800 4 70 80 90 is free and open 24 hours a day for people aged 55 and over.
• A GP practice can put you in touch with a social prescribing link worker.

What kinds of social group are there for over-50s?

Groups tend to fall into four types: learning and interest groups, practical or making groups, walking and outdoor groups, and friendship or befriending services. Some are national networks with local branches. Others are run by a church, library, community centre or village hall and only appear on a noticeboard or a council directory.

The table below sets out the main national options we checked, so you can see which suits you or a relative.

What is u3a and who can join?

u3a is a volunteer-led network for people in later life, built around learning, social contact and sharing skills. Its own description is that there are no teachers and students: members teach and learn from each other. Membership is open to anyone who is not in full-time employment, so it suits people who have cut back at work as well as those who have retired.

The national site says there are over 435,000 active members in over 1,000 local u3as, though it does not date that figure. Groups vary a great deal by branch, from languages and history to walking, art and music. The national office can point you to the nearest branch, and each branch sets out its own membership details.

What do Men’s Sheds offer?

Men’s Sheds are community workshops where men make, repair and repurpose items, often for local projects. The national organisation says the aim is to improve wellbeing and reduce loneliness and isolation. They can suit men who find a conversation easier when their hands are busy.

The national site says the network now includes over 1,000 venues across the UK, Isle of Man and Channel Islands. Use the find a local Shed section to see whether one is close by. Each Shed decides its own opening hours and who it welcomes, so contact the one you are interested in before turning up.

What does Age UK offer locally?

Age UK has local branches, and its website has a postcode search for social events and activities in your area. It also runs a Telephone Friendship Service, which gives you a free weekly call from a volunteer who is matched to you. Age UK says specialist advisers are available at over 120 local Age UKs.

The Age UK Advice Line is free on 0800 678 1602 and is open from 8am to 7pm every day of the year. If a relative is more isolated than they will admit, our guide to loneliness in older people explains what to look for, and companionship care covers paid support at home.

What is The Silver Line Helpline?

The Silver Line Helpline is a free telephone service for older people, open 24 hours a day, every day. It offers friendship and conversation, and its website says anyone aged 55 or over can call for a friendly chat or a longer conversation. The helpline is run by Age UK.

It is not a replacement for a local group, but it can be a useful bridge for someone who is not ready to walk into a room of strangers, or who is awake at night and wants company.

Are there free walking and outdoor groups?

Ramblers Wellbeing Walks are free, short walks across England and Wales. The Ramblers says the shortest are just 10 minutes long, the pace runs from slow to steady, and everyone is welcome. They are run by over 170 groups, with hundreds of walks every week, and you do not need to book or register to turn up.

If a relative uses a wheelchair, the Ramblers advises messaging the walk organiser first to check the route suits them. Our guide to helping older people stay independent has more ideas for keeping active safely.

What is social prescribing and how do you ask for it?

Social prescribing connects people with community activities, groups and services that can help with practical, social and emotional needs. NHS England describes link workers who spend time with a person, ask what matters to them, and help build a simple personalised plan. People can reach social prescribing through their GP practice.

When you speak to the practice, you can say you would like to see a social prescribing link worker because of loneliness or because you want to meet people. It also helps to mention anything that makes it hard to go out, such as transport, mobility or hearing loss. Our pages on mental health support for older people and transport support cover related help.

How do you choose a group that suits you or a relative?

Before committing, run through these practical points:

• Ask if you can attend one session first, without joining.
• Check the venue for step-free access, toilets, parking and public transport links.
• Ask whether there is a quiet space or a loop system if hearing is an issue.
• Find out if a volunteer can meet a nervous newcomer at the door.
• Ask about costs, including any joining fee or contribution to refreshments.
• If a relative has memory problems, ask whether the leaders are comfortable supporting dementia.

Libraries, churches, community centres and village halls often host coffee mornings, reading groups and lunch clubs too. Because these are local, we cannot list them for every area, so ask at the venue or check your council’s website. If getting out is difficult, a day centre or a visit from a volunteer may be a better starting point, and our guide to volunteering to help older people shows how to arrange that.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to be retired to join u3a?

No. u3a membership is open to everyone who is not in full-time employment, so part-time workers, carers and people between jobs can join, as well as retirees. Each local u3a sets out its own membership details, so contact the one nearest you.

Are Men’s Sheds only for older men?

The national organisation describes Men’s Sheds as community workshops for men, and each Shed decides who it welcomes and how it runs. Contact the local Shed first to ask about age, skills needed and opening times.

Is there anything for someone who cannot leave the house?

Yes. The Silver Line Helpline is free and open around the clock, and Age UK’s Telephone Friendship Service offers a free weekly call from a matched volunteer. Your GP practice can also arrange a social prescribing link worker.

What is a social prescribing link worker?

A link worker is someone who meets you, asks what matters to you, and helps you find community groups and services that fit. People can reach the service through their GP practice. It is a way of finding local groups, not a medical treatment.

Can I find groups for over-50s in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?

The national networks above cover the whole UK, although Ramblers Wellbeing Walks are described as running across England and Wales. Local availability differs by nation, so search by postcode, or ask your council or GP practice what is nearby.

Where to get help next

If loneliness is part of a bigger worry about a relative managing alone, read our guide to an elderly parent living alone and practical ways to lift an older person’s day. For care that includes company, you can search for care near you and compare providers.

Sources

• u3a: About u3a
• UK Men’s Sheds Association: Home
• Age UK: Loneliness support
• The Silver Line Helpline
• Ramblers: Wellbeing Walks
• NHS England: Social prescribing

See also: Age Friendly Communities in the UK: What They Are and How to Check · The best places to retire in Scotland: what to consider · Walking Groups for Over 50s: How to Find One Near You · Activities for Over 60s: Ideas to Stay Active and Social

Reviewed by The Care Panel team on 9 November 2026. This guide is general information about care in England, not legal, medical or financial advice. Rules and rates change; check with your council or an adviser before making decisions.