Everything Else guide

Make new friends as an adult

Try practical ideas for meeting people through shared interests, local groups and regular routines, and turn first meetings into lasting friendships this winter.

Estimated time: 30 minutes to plan, then an hour or two a weekUpdated: 2 October 2026

Use this guide if you have moved area, lost touch with friends, retired, become a parent or simply want a bigger social circle. Have your diary and a list of things you enjoy or would like to try.

Step by step

  1. Know what kind of contact you want

    Decide whether you want a few close friends, a wider group to do activities with, or simply more friendly faces in your week. Write down two or three interests and the times you are free each week. Friendships grow from seeing the same people regularly, so look for things that meet weekly or fortnightly rather than one-off events.

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