Finding social groups and activities near you: a guide for older adults and families

So you've decided to get out and meet people, or you're trying to help a parent do the same. Good. The hard part isn't deciding, it's working out where to actually look, because the options are scattered across a dozen different organisations that all do their own thing.

This guide pulls it together. We'll run through the main types of social groups and activities for older Australians, help you pick one that fits, and show you how to find what's genuinely near you. Whether you're doing this for yourself or for someone you care about, you'll leave with a clear next step.

Why bother? A quick, honest answer

Connection is good for you, full stop. Around 1 in 7 Australians (about 15%) were experiencing loneliness in 2023 (AIHW, social isolation and loneliness), and loneliness is linked to poorer physical and mental health, not just a flat mood. Research collected by Ending Loneliness Together puts its health impact alongside risks like smoking and obesity.

But forget the statistics for a second. The real reason to join something is simpler: regular company, a reason to get dressed and head out, and the small daily pleasures of people who know your name. That's worth a great deal.

The main types of groups, at a glance

Here's the landscape, sorted by what you're after.

If you want to make and do things with your hands

• Men's Sheds - workshops where (mostly) blokes build, mend, and yarn. Hands busy, conversation easy. Over 1,000 across Australia.
• Craft and art groups at your local neighbourhood house.

If you want to keep learning

• U3A - low-cost, no-exam learning run by retirees, for retirees. Languages, history, music, walking, you name it.
• Libraries - book clubs, author talks, tech help, and free programs galore.

If you want to be active

• Bowls clubs - gentle, sociable, and famously welcoming to beginners.
• Sports and active life - walking groups, swimming, gentle exercise, dancing.

If you want regular social company

• Probus clubs - sociable groups for retired and semi-retired people, with monthly meetings, guest speakers, and outings.
• Senior centres - dedicated spaces for older adults, with lunches, activities and outings.
• RSL clubs - mateship and support, especially if you've served.

If you want a bit of everything in one place

• Neighbourhood houses and community centres - the all-rounder. Classes, social groups, support, and friendly local knowledge under one roof.

You don't have to choose just one. Plenty of people end up with a bowls afternoon, a U3A class, and a monthly Probus lunch, and a full week is no bad thing.

How to choose the right one

With that many options, here's how to narrow it down without overthinking it.

Start with the interest, not the loneliness. "I've always wanted to try painting" or "I miss being around tools" points you straight at the right group. Following a genuine interest makes the first visit far easier than turning up just to "be social."

Match it to your energy and mobility. Be realistic. If a knee's playing up, a craft circle or a card group beats a bushwalk. If you're full of beans, lean into the active stuff. You can always add more later.

Mind the practicalities. How will you get there? Is it a cost you're comfortable with? Most of these options are free or cheap, and many councils and community groups run transport for older residents, so ask if getting there is the sticking point.

Pick one with a built-in activity if you're shy. A shared task carries the conversation. It's much easier to chat over a workbench or a bowls mat than across an empty room.

Then just go once. Don't commit forever, commit to a single visit. You'll know within an hour whether it's your kind of room.

How to actually find what's near you

This is where Our Mate comes in. Instead of chasing a dozen separate websites, you can find verified local groups in one place.

• Browse by type. If you already know what you want, go straight to the category: community groups, Men's Sheds, U3A, bowls clubs, and so on.
• Search by where you live. Use search to enter your suburb and see what's close.
• Not sure where to start? Browse all categories and follow whatever catches your eye.

Every listing on Our Mate is verified, so you're not wading through dead links and out-of-date phone numbers. And because we cover both regulated aged care and everyday community life, you can find the social side and the support side in the one spot.

A word for families and carers

If you're reading this for someone else, your job is to make saying yes as easy as possible, not to organise their whole social life.

• Shortlist, don't dump. Find two or three nearby options together rather than handing over a long list that overwhelms.
• Lower the practical barriers. Offer the first lift, look up the bus, make the phone call together.
• Frame it around interest or usefulness. "The shed needs a hand on Tuesdays" lands far better than "you need to get out more."
• Be patient and gently persistent. The first try might not stick. The second or third often does. Keep the invitation warm and open.
• Look after yourself too. Carers get lonely as well. Many of these groups have something for you, or run carer-specific sessions.

Frequently asked questions

What's the cheapest way to start?

Your library and neighbourhood house are free or close to it, and both run social activities. They're a brilliant, no-cost first step.

I don't drive anymore. What are my options?

Plenty. Look for groups within walking distance, ask about community transport (many councils and community groups run it for older residents), and consider phone or online groups for the days you can't get out. A neighbourhood house can point you to local transport options.

How do I help a parent who keeps saying no?

Keep it small and interest-led, offer to go along the first time, and don't push too hard in one go. A single positive visit often shifts things more than any amount of persuading. And do check whether something deeper, like low mood or anxiety, is in the way; if so, their GP is a good place to start.

Is everything on Our Mate verified?

Yes. We verify listings so you can trust the details. Browse community options or search your suburb to find what's near you.

What if there's nothing in my small town?

Smaller places often have more than appears online. Ring your local neighbourhood house or council; they tend to know every group going, including the ones that never made it onto a website.

The whole thing comes down to one move: pick something that genuinely interests you, find it near you, and go along once. Everything good tends to start from there.