My church runs a local repair cafe you can volunteer and also just go and have tea and coffee and a chat ,they want to encourage people to come and chat .
Hi Jane. These are all great ideas. I am a member of your facebook group and really enjoy the comments and ideas. I am in the southeast in the US. It is sometimes very hot here and can be uncomfortable if you are trying to take a walk. I will drive to a local enclosed mall (not open air) and walk through the mall. It is air conditioned and safe. You often see the same people walking there and can say hello. Sometimes once you retire it can be lonely and money is tighter. I hope this person found some ideas they could use. Thank you for these videos (it's never a bad thing to have a cat in a video!)
I know that you mentioned charity shops but most are desperate for volunteers. Usually people can choose what they want to do, from being on the till or sorting books or clothes, whatever interests them. I worked for one and there was a really fun chatty atmosphere upstairs in the sorting room. They provided tea, coffee and biscuits and volunteers could get 25% discount on anything that they bought. They also paid for a Christmas meal for everyone which was really fun.
I started volunteering in a charity shop a month ago and I love it. I haven't worked in 11 years and was so bored. I totally recommend it - it may even help me get back into work one day.
In uk look on your local council and see what they offer such as walking groups, volunteering park care etc and their free. Libraries have reading groups, craft groups,talks etc
Hi Jane. This is so sad and I hope the person finds the help they need. I’m a Christian and attend a [seaside] town centre church. We have several sessions throughout the week to help connect people. We have Monday Brunch, Tuesday Coffee, Cake and Chat, Wednesday. Coffee and Crafts, and on Thursdays they often run CAP [Christians Against Poverty] cooking skills class. It’s all done in a non-judgmental, non-threatening way. There is generally no charge , but people can contribute whatever they can afford. I would suggest this person contacts their local ‘Christians against Poverty’ group where they will find help and friendship.
Local councils often have health walks or other activities which are free and sociable. Alternatively, you can ask to be referred to a Social Prescriber who can help you find a way to connect and can support you with your first time attending something if you are nervous about going on your own.
In the US, we have Friends of the Library groups that put on annual or twice annual sales of used books, magazines, games and toys. They keep many libraries afloat in these times of funding cuts.
Hi Jane. A member of my family helps with cleaning her local church. She loves Monday mornings, it gets her out and she has met a great group of people. They always sit down for coffee & cake and have a catch up. Volunteering for The National Trust might be worth thinking about and also a local hospital. They are always grateful for volunteers to go and serve the mid morning coffee or afternoon tea. Patients are always grateful for a friendly chat, especially the ones that don’t get many visitors.
Join a church or synagogue. Even if you don't consider yourself "religious" you can probably find a welcoming congregation such as a Unitarian fellowship or Reform Jewish congregation that won't be too dogmatic. You have ready-made social events each week, interesting speakers, volunteer and social justice activities, perhaps communal meals or potlucks. Joining a community garden or civic organization is another option.
You will also feel better asking for help if you need it, if you've been volunteering your service to others in good times. Many congregations have some sort of Caring Committee where you can bring meals to people recovering from surgery, families with a new baby, or experiencing bereavement. Make a double batch of lentil soup and some dinner rolls or corn bread -- keep half for your family's dinner and bring half to the family in need. Kids can tag along and help too. There's nothing like serving others to increase one's gratitude and fill one's heart.
If the person is a man, how about the Mens shed? In Hart where I live there is a community garden supported by the council where people can go and do a bit of gardening, meet people etc. i hope the person finds something. Loneliness is so awful 😢😔
Teenagers often find their parents’ very existence irritating, don’t they? 😂Adults, on the other hand, have NEVER been embarrassed by their teenagers. 😂😂😂 My children almost died the Death of Mortification each time I saw Boy Scouts. I would stop and say hello and ask them what their current ranks are and have them recite the Scout Law. Then I would ask them all if they intended to become Eagle Scouts. The only time I didn’t do this was when they were hiking the opposite direction we were and I simply called out, “how many miles today? “And they all smiled at that and told me whatever it was. They got to the point that my children would say they would go hiking with me only if I promised not to grill the Boy Scouts. 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
@@ShoestringJane to be fair, of the five children only one had a temper tantrum in the grocery store and she only did it once. I’m much worse than they.
Hi Jane I don't know what age this person is .but I know in our area they do walking groups and I know it's turned cold but wild swimming groups and the amount of times I've walked to town gasping for a drink .I sit on the benches in the town centre .the amount of people that have chatted to me .x
Lots of good ideas from everyone. I hope the lady who reached out finds some support and happiness. Loneliness is a horrid thing.
@@marinakaplais yes, me too.
My church runs a local repair cafe you can volunteer and also just go and have tea and coffee and a chat ,they want to encourage people to come and chat .
Hi Jane. These are all great ideas. I am a member of your facebook group and really enjoy the comments and ideas. I am in the southeast in the US. It is sometimes very hot here and can be uncomfortable if you are trying to take a walk. I will drive to a local enclosed mall (not open air) and walk through the mall. It is air conditioned and safe. You often see the same people walking there and can say hello. Sometimes once you retire it can be lonely and money is tighter. I hope this person found some ideas they could use. Thank you for these videos (it's never a bad thing to have a cat in a video!)
Great suggestion about the mall. I'm in the SE U.S. too and summers are boiling.
@@gaylekanak9269 that’s a good point. A walk just where there are people about will lift your spirits and a mall would be good in winter too
I know that you mentioned charity shops but most are desperate for volunteers. Usually people can choose what they want to do, from being on the till or sorting books or clothes, whatever interests them. I worked for one and there was a really fun chatty atmosphere upstairs in the sorting room. They provided tea, coffee and biscuits and volunteers could get 25% discount on anything that they bought. They also paid for a Christmas meal for everyone which was really fun.
@@julesfran7887 that would be brilliant for someone who was a bit broke and lonely.
I started volunteering in a charity shop a month ago and I love it. I haven't worked in 11 years and was so bored. I totally recommend it - it may even help me get back into work one day.
Love that kitty.
I’ve just been looking around wondering which alarm is going off! 😂 I thought it was here 😂
@@lemonteapot1061 😂😂😂
In uk look on your local council and see what they offer such as walking groups, volunteering park care etc and their free. Libraries have reading groups, craft groups,talks etc
@@sjchan3199 and library notice boards are good to see what activities are on, too 👍
Hi Jane. This is so sad and I hope the person finds the help they need. I’m a Christian and attend a [seaside] town centre church. We have several sessions throughout the week to help connect people. We have Monday Brunch, Tuesday Coffee, Cake and Chat, Wednesday. Coffee and Crafts, and on Thursdays they often run CAP [Christians Against Poverty] cooking skills class. It’s all done in a non-judgmental, non-threatening way. There is generally no charge , but people can contribute whatever they can afford. I would suggest this person contacts their local ‘Christians against Poverty’ group where they will find help and friendship.
This all sounds wonderful! What a great community.
I thought my fire alarm needed a new battery until I realised it was on the video lol.
@@chrysalis4126 we literally pulled it apart trying to make it stop 😂😂
Hi Jane, such fantastic ideas! X
Local councils often have health walks or other activities which are free and sociable. Alternatively, you can ask to be referred to a Social Prescriber who can help you find a way to connect and can support you with your first time attending something if you are nervous about going on your own.
When your battery alarm went I was looking around my kitchen, thought it was mine!
@@sandraalston7863 you’re not the only one who said that! 😂
Pretty kitty 🐈⬛ oh have a pet and go to the library and your local ladies aid group!
My dad was like that, he could strike up a conversation with just about anyone, regardless if he knew them or not.
Lots of Good ideas.
@@rena4220 it’s a bit of a gift to be able to chat and worth pushing through the shyness we sometimes feel 😊
In the US, we have Friends of the Library groups that put on annual or twice annual sales of used books, magazines, games and toys. They keep many libraries afloat in these times of funding cuts.
@@mackerelcat6677 that would be fun to volunteer at and get to know people. Our libraries are a precious resource
Hi Jane. A member of my family helps with cleaning her local church. She loves Monday mornings, it gets her out and she has met a great group of people. They always sit down for coffee & cake and have a catch up. Volunteering for The National Trust might be worth thinking about and also a local hospital. They are always grateful for volunteers to go and serve the mid morning coffee or afternoon tea. Patients are always grateful for a friendly chat, especially the ones that don’t get many visitors.
Oh yes, hospital volunteering! Good idea.
Most National Trust properties are only accessible if you own a car. If you have no money even bus fares can put things out of reach.
Join a church or synagogue. Even if you don't consider yourself "religious" you can probably find a welcoming congregation such as a Unitarian fellowship or Reform Jewish congregation that won't be too dogmatic. You have ready-made social events each week, interesting speakers, volunteer and social justice activities, perhaps communal meals or potlucks. Joining a community garden or civic organization is another option.
You will also feel better asking for help if you need it, if you've been volunteering your service to others in good times. Many congregations have some sort of Caring Committee where you can bring meals to people recovering from surgery, families with a new baby, or experiencing bereavement. Make a double batch of lentil soup and some dinner rolls or corn bread -- keep half for your family's dinner and bring half to the family in need. Kids can tag along and help too. There's nothing like serving others to increase one's gratitude and fill one's heart.
@@JM.5387 great ideas and such a good point about asking for help when you also give it.
It's so sad
I don't have Facebook it's risky.
U3A, 15 pounds a year and a pound per class, drinks and biscuits included. All sorts from scrabblee, taichi , philosophy etc
@@kateleese9663 that is great value!
If the person is a man, how about the Mens shed? In Hart where I live there is a community garden supported by the council where people can go and do a bit of gardening, meet people etc. i hope the person finds something. Loneliness is so awful 😢😔
Yes, great idea. I have come across those.
Teenagers often find their parents’ very existence irritating, don’t they? 😂Adults, on the other hand, have NEVER been embarrassed by their teenagers. 😂😂😂
My children almost died the Death of Mortification each time I saw Boy Scouts. I would stop and say hello and ask them what their current ranks are and have them recite the Scout Law. Then I would ask them all if they intended to become Eagle Scouts. The only time I didn’t do this was when they were hiking the opposite direction we were and I simply called out, “how many miles today? “And they all smiled at that and told me whatever it was.
They got to the point that my children would say they would go hiking with me only if I promised not to grill the Boy Scouts. 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
@@cynthia57169 we have to get our own back on the kids for all those temper tantrums in the supermarket 😂
@@ShoestringJane to be fair, of the five children only one had a temper tantrum in the grocery store and she only did it once. I’m much worse than they.
I work part time and go to church which helps me. Otherwise have no idea what else to do to help myself with loneliness? Any ideas in south Wales?
Volunteering? With a conservation project, a community gardening scheme, charity fundraising etc. I definitely recommend a book group, too.
Think about what people did prior to cell phones or facebook
Anyone in the Birmingham area of the West Midlands the new Midland Metropolitan hospital which is starting to open is looking for volunteers. 😊
@@hayleygrimston51 thank you!
Hi Jane I don't know what age this person is .but I know in our area they do walking groups and I know it's turned cold but wild swimming groups and the amount of times I've walked to town gasping for a drink .I sit on the benches in the town centre .the amount of people that have chatted to me .x
@@mariedamon5655 she was quite young. I hope she found all the suggestions helpful