Four cheap and fun ways to make new friends and tackle loneliness
IT is not only the older generation that can sometimes feel lonely.
Youngsters aged 16 to 24 are now the group most likely to be affected.
Throwing yourself into things can cost money and isn’t always the answer, but there are low cost ways to make connections at any age.
NATTY IDEA: Look out for Chatter And Natter tables in more than 600 cafes, pubs, libraries and other places up and down the country, including branches of Costa.
These are places that people can sit at if they’re happy to talk to others.
You can also go along to local Chatter And Natter groups hosted by volunteers or join online meet-ups.
Find out more at thechattycafescheme.co.uk.
YOU’RE WELCOME: The Warm Welcome Spaces movement brings people together in public places, allowing them to meet others, do activities and escape cold homes.
To find your local “warm space” in places including libraries, community centres and church halls, check the map at warmwelcome.uk.
A third of pensioners, with an income below £20,000, say their home is cold most or all of the time, according to Age UK.
The charity helps OAPs through its local branches, telephone friendship service and Silverline helpline.
APPY TO TALK: While meeting up in person is the best cure for loneliness, sometimes those connections can start in the online world.
The Marmalade Trust, set up to combat loneliness, recommends apps that can give you that sense of community.
See marmaladetrust.org.
There’s Meet Up, which brings people with similar interests together. NextDoor helps people make connections in their local area.
The Bumble For Friends app is designed for people wanting platonic pals.
HAVE A CHINWAG: Even a short conversation can help brighten someone’s day.
Look out for Happy To Chat benches across the UK, designed to get people talking and combat loneliness.
- All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.
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