Think you can't make friends? Think again!

By Laura Bradder

Singles and dating

14 November 2011 00:00

Meet one reader who has never looked back after becoming a member of a Friendship Centre...

Diana Davies, 72, of Tamworth, Warwickshire, is a Social Engagement Development Officer for Age UK. She joined a Friendship Centre aged 55.

I took very early retirement from teaching, which I thought would be absolutely brilliant, but I was fed up within a year. You decorate the house, you do the garden, you visit everyone and then what do you do? Your social life has generally been with your work colleagues - I was at the same school for 10 years. They say ‘Oh, come back and see us’, but when you do they are busy and there are new people there who have no idea who you are – it’s not the same. Also, I had only moved into the area when my children were grown up, so I didn’t have friendships through them. It’s hard to know what to do or where to go to meet new people - I am of a generation where we don’t walk into pubs easily on our own.

Then I saw an advert for The Association of Retired and Persons over 50 (ARP O50), who had a chain of friendship centres. I decided to become a member, got their newsletter, and as luck would have it there was a lady looking to set up a friendship centre in Tamworth. I met with her and around six other people and took part in a lot of the organisation of setting up the centre – as a teacher it’s in the blood to organise!

It was the best thing I ever did. The Centres have something for all interests. We play ten-pin bowling, go rambling, have pub lunches and coffee mornings – all sorts of things. It’s great because you can just dip in to what you want to.

It’s great knowing you can go somewhere and when you open the door you feel welcome. You think there will be silence and everyone will turn and look at you, but it’s not like that at all – there are always lots of groups of people you can sit and chat to. And it’s such a mix of people, men and women, singles, couples. I was sat the other day with a group of men and women discussing the World Cup Rugby! It’s unique in the mixture of people there – as long as you are over 50 nothing else matters.

 Eventually, I became regional co-ordinator for the Midlands. Then 4 years ago Age UK were looking for someone to help nationally full-time, and I thought I might as well have a new career! It’s absolutely amazing. My daughters are thrilled that I do it, although they do think I do a little too much at times!

It absolutely thrills me to bits to know that those people I have helped are enjoying something because I have been there. I know how they feel and now I can help them enjoy what I have enjoyed. You bring people out of themselves and you are amazed at what they can do. They see their own value, and that’s a great thing.

More than anything, it’s the company that I love. I was in a minor car accident recently and I got flowers, cards, all those nice things that I just wouldn’t have had before joining the Centre. It’s lovely to have someone to talk to of my own generation – sometimes there are things you don’t want to talk to your children about, and now I always have someone there. I have done a lot more than I ever thought possible.

To talk to Diana about her experience, or to enquire about joining a Friendship Centre, call her on 01827 830380 or email her by clicking here. 

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