Friendship centres
Age UK works with a number of friendship centres across the country. They provide a great way to meet like-minded people and make friends in your area.
The friendship centres listed below are run by groups of active older people who meet on a regular basis for social activities, which could include rambling, tenpin bowling, pub lunches, theatre visits, holidays and days out.
Please note that social groups, activities and services are provided by local Age UKs across the country, including Age UK's befriending services. Find out what's available near you.
Friendship centres in England
Blackburn O50 Group
Area of benefit: Blackburn
Activities available:
- Visiting/Befriending
- Social activities
- Handyperson
- Dementia support
- Information
- Signposting
Opening hours:
Meeting second Wednesday of every month at Lammack Church Hall Blackburn.
Address: Lammack Church Hall, Lannack Road, Blackburn, BB2
Bridport & District Friendship Group
Area of benefit: Bridport
Activities available:
- Social activities
- Exercise/physical activity
- Transport
- Information
Main contact: Mrs A Pownall
Tel: 01308 422162
Email: annpownall@hotmail.co.uk
Central Preston Friendship Centre
Area of benefit: Preston; PR1; PR2
Activities available:
- Social activities
- Lunches
- Coffee mornings
- Theatre visits
- Trips to places of interest
- Monthly meeting with a speaker
Opening hours:
- Third Monday of the month, 2:00pm
Address: Lune St Methodist Church, Preston
Chorley Friendship Centre
Activities available:
- Social activities
- Lunches
- Coffee mornings
- Theatre visits
- Trips to places of interest
- Monthly meeting with a speaker
Opening hours:
- Last Wednesday of the month, 2:00pm
Ealing Friendship Centre
Area of benefit: Ealing
Activities available:
- Social activities
Tel: 020 85799868
Lancaster & Morecambe Friendship Group
Area of benefit: Lancaster; Morecambe; Galgate; Bolton-le-Sands
Activities available:
- Social activities
- Information
Main contact: Richard Howell
Tel: 01524 400504
Email: r.howell268@btinternet.com
NE Ten Pin Bowling SIG
We meet at three locations:
- North Shields Royal Quays Starlight Bowl, Thursday at 11am. Contact Robin robin.berks@blueyonder.co.uk tel 01921 2524967.
- Washington The Galleries AMF bowling, Mondays at 11am. Contact Dave daviniah@btinternet.com tel 0191 4886907
- Newcastle MFA Bowling, Mondays at 8.00pm. Contact Marina m.callaghan11@btinternet.com tel 01670714557
Nuneaton O50 Friendship Centr
Area of benefit: North Warwickshire; Nuneaton; Bedworth; Atherstone; Leicester; CV11; CV12; CV10; CV13; CV9; CV7; LE10; LE67
Activities available:
- Social activities
- Information
Opening hours:
- First Wednesday of the month 1.45pm - 4.00pm
Main contact: Janet Jones
Address: Ambleside Sports and Social Club, Ambleside Way, Nuneaton, CV11 6AT
Tel: 02476 388106 / 07964 073536
Email: janetrosejones3@gmail.com
Outer North London Companions Friendship Centre
Area of benefit: Outer North London
Activities available:
- Visiting/Befriending
- Social activities
- Information
- Signposting
Main contact: John Ball
Email: john_m_ball@btinternet.com
Pudsey Friendship Group
Area of benefit: Pudsey, Farsley, LS28 5DJ
Activities available:
- Social activities for over 50s
- Exercise/physical activity
- Walking and strolling groups
- Outings
- Pub lunches
- Holidays
- Information
Opening times:
- Third Thursday of the month 1:30 - 4:00pm
Main contact: Marylyn Whelan
Tel: 01274 511 368
Email: flowergirl26@live.co.uk
Tamworth Friendship Centre
Area of benefit: Tamworth
Activities available:
- Walking
- Ten pin bowling
- Day trips and holidays
- Other events including skittles evenings
Opening hours:
We meet on the 1st Wednesday of every month at the Globe Inn, Lower Gungate, Tamworth. Pay and display parking is available. 12.00pm for lunch (no need to book); 1.30pm for meeting with speaker.
Tel: 01827 896733 or 07771 725 779
Website: https://sites.google.com/site/tamworthfriendshipcentre
Scotland
To find out more about friendship centres in the following areas, contact 0800 169 87 87:
- Dumfries
- Kilmarnock (Ayrshire)
- Kirkcaldy
Wales and Northern Ireland
We do not currently have any friendship centres in Wales and Northern Ireland.
Can't find something near you?
If you can't find a friendship centre in your area, don't worry! There are also many more social groups and activities provided across the country by our local Age UK partners. You can find out more about opportunities to take part in social activities and meet like-minded people in your area by putting your postcode in the search box below.