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ProblemsLonelinessIf you are feeling lonely you need to establish the reason for your loneliness. You may live on your own, have experienced a relationship breakdown or may have been bereaved and are looking for ways to make new friends and improve your social life. Getting involved in voluntary work in your local community is a good way of meeting new people, finding a sense of purpose by helping others. Local hospitals are often looking for volunteers to help visit patients or run the hospital shop. Local charities are often in need of volunteers to help staff charity high street shops. You could also think about joining any clubs and societies relating to any interests/hobbies you have e.g. If you are interested in sport find out about local clubs, if you are interested in drama and theatre find out about joining a drama group or helping out behind the scenes at a local theatre. The local library, town hall information office or local paper often keep details about clubs and societies. If you are suffering from depression and/or mental health it may be that because of your illness you have become cut off from family/friends and have become isolated in the community. You may also lack confidence and self esteem, suffer from anxiety, and may find it difficult to make friends or socialise. It may help talking to a counsellor in the first instance and start trying to build your confidence up slowly - talking to the local shopkeepers, staff in the post office etc. just to get yourself used to talking to people and making conversation. It may help you to find out about assertiveness or confidence building classes which are often run by the local colleges or adult education centres and have a look at the pages on the website relating to self esteem, anxiety, depression as some of the resources mentioned on these pages may be helpful to you. Adult education centres and community centres are worth checking out to see if there are any classes you may be interested in or hobbies you could take up. You may think about taking classes learning computers or a new language. For young people there are many clubs which meet in a friendly social atmosphere while learning a variety of new skills and helping in the local community - Scouts, Girl Guides, British Red Cross, St. Johns Ambulance, Police Cadets etc. If you are aged between 18-35 years the National Federation of 18 Plus Groups run clubs around the country where members meet in a social atmosphere and arrange a variety of activities. Round Tables, Rotary and Inner Wheel Clubs are also an excellent way of becoming involved in the local community and at the same time meeting new people from which friendships may evolve. Agencies which may be useful to youAge-Link: 01895 676689 - To act as a community resource for the elderly isolated housebound. To establish groups of volunteers who will take out, entertain and befriend people who have little opportunity of leaving their homes without help. Arranging a variety of trips, visits and recreational outings. Association of Inner Wheel Clubs in Great Britain and Ireland (clubs for women): 020 7834 4600, www.association-innerwheel.org.uk, 51 Warwick Square, London SW1V 2AT - To promote true friendship and the development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service and the betterment of social conditions. Voluntary work includes hospital work, caring for sick, needy, handicapped, young and elderly people according to the needs of the community. British Red Cross Society: 0870 1707000, email information@redcross.org.uk, www.redcross.org.uk, 9 Grosvenor Crescent, London SWlX 7EJ - To provide caring and emergency service to those most in need in their local communities through some 45,000 volunteers and staff. Depression Support Group Association (London based): 020 7328 8391, www.depressionalternatives.co.uk - Helping people whose lives have been distorted by insecurity, loneliness, shyness, unsatisfactory relationships to find alternatives to depression. Groups in London convened by professional counsellors/psychotherapists. Meet in a friendly, sociable environment and offer members route to a more fulfilling life, develop self esteem and confidence and learn how their emotional needs can be met more fully. Fee £15 per week, concessions for students and unemployed. Also run Shyness & Social Anxiety Programme and Personal Relationships programme. Men's Group to strengthen men's sense of themselves. Also individual therapy. Friends of the Elderly: 020 7730 8263, email enquiries@fote.org.uk, www.fote.org.uk - To support older people, often frail, confused or with dementia, to maintain a level of independence and choice by providing a complete range of services for them - provides home visiting services, runs day centre facilities. Girlguiding UK: 020 7834 6242, email chq@girlfuiding.org.uk, www.guides.org.uk, 17-19 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W OPT - Enables girls and young women to fulfil their potential to take an active and responsible role in society through stimulating and enjoyable activities. A challenging programme enabling girls and young women to explore and achieve in a supportive environment, growing in self esteem and confidence. Long Distance Walkers Association: 01732 883705, email ramblers@london.ramblers.org.uk, www.ramblers.org.uk, Bank House, High Street, Wrotham, Sevenoaks, Kent TN15 7AE x- To further the interests of those who enjoy long distance walking, promoting organised challenge walks. London Wildlife Trust: 020 7261 0447, email enquiries@wildlondon.org.uk, www.wildlondon.org.uk, Harling House, 47-51 Great Suffolk Street, London SE1 0BS - To promote nature conservation within Greater London. Managing nearly 60 wildlife sites, running public participation surveys and other activities for the public, also junior Wildlife Watch groups throughout London. National Association of Clubs for Young People: 020 7793 0787, email office@nacyp.org.uk, www.nacyp.org.uk - Over 3,000 throughout the country - programmes include sporting, creative, adventurous, training etc. Training is offered to club members for their personal and social development, to senior members in leadership skills and to volunteers in practical club management. National Association of Women's Clubs: 020 7837 1434, email nawc@tinyworld.co.uk, www.nawc.org.uk, 5 Vernon Rise, London WC1X 9EP - To provide facilities for social life and opportunities for informal education within the means of all women. The individual clubs are self governing. Programmes include facilities for a good social life, classes and demonstrations on a variety of crafts etc. and speakers on a wide range of subjects. National Association of Widows: 024 7663 4848, email info@nawidows.org.ukk, www.nawidows.org.uk, 48 Queens Road, Coventry CV1 3EH - Provides support, advice and comfort to widows. To offer a social and educational life which is within the means of widows. National Federation of 18 Plus Groups: 01531 821210, email office@18plus.org.uk, www.18plus.org.uk, Church Street Chambers, 8-10 Church Street, Newent, Gloucestershire GL18 1PP - To provide an independent social club for anyone within the ages of 18-35, helping young adults to develop a personal philosophy and social understanding. Groups are financially self supporting and have no allegiance to any political, religious or other body. Members are given the opportunity to participate in a wide range of activities, carried out in a friendly social atmosphere. The activities programme is arranged by the members for the members with the emphasis on widening personal interest and social circle. Have groups around the UK. Contact Head Office for information pack and details of nearest group. National Federation of Solo Clubs: 0121 236 2879, Ruskin Chambers, 191 Corporation Street, Birmingham, West Midlands, B4 6RY - Provides social events for widowed, divorced,separated people and other single people at 64 clubs nationwide. Activities include holidays, day trips, dances. National Federation of Women's Institute: 020 7371 9300, www.womensinstitute.org.uk - Monthly meetings, demonstrations, speakers, activities, learning experiences. National Association of Round Table of Great Britain and Ireland: 0121 4564402, email hq@roundtable.org.uk, www.roundtable.co.uk, Marchesi House, 4 Embassy Drive, Calthrope Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 1TP - Association of Clubs for young men aged 18-45 years that provides a selection of social and community service related opportunities for its members. Meetings include speakers, activities, entertainment, quizzes, debates, meals. National Women's Register: 0845 4500287, email office@nwr.org.uk, www.nwr.org.uk - Meet other women and make new friends, informal lunch discussion groups, social activities, quizzes, correspondence magazine, postal book group, penfriend scheme. Police Cadets (for young people): Contact local police station for details of the nearest Police Cadet Scheme. Ramblers Association: 020 7339 8500, email ramblers@london.ramblers.org.uk, www.ramblers.org.uk, 2nd Floor, Camelford House, 87-89 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TW. Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland: 01789 765411, email secretary@ribi.org, www.rotary-ribi.org, RIBI, Kinwarton Road, Alcaster, Warwickshire B49 6PR - Business and professional men helping in the community and social activities. SA-UK (Social Anxiety UK): email contact@social-anxiety.org.uk, www.social-anxiety.org.uk - Volunteer led organisation, news, advice, info, meetings, chatroom, forums, support/social groups, info on cognitive behavioural therapy. Scout Association: 0845 300 1818, email info.centre@scout.org.uk, www.scouts.org.uk Gilwell Park, Bury Road, Chingford, London E4 7QW - To promote the development of young people in achieving their full physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potential. Non formal personal and social education through outdoor adventure. Creative activities and community service. Single Concern Group - (Person to Person/Future Friends): 01643 708 008, PO Box 40, Minehead, Somerset TA24 5YS - To help lonely, and socially isolated people and to address the problems and concerns of single people in general. Publishing a number of regular magazines enabling people to get in touch with each other and with professional and voluntary workers who run a help service and a phone link. Concessionary subscription rates for disabled and unwaged people. SPICE UK: 0161 873 8788, email info@spiceuk.com, www.spiceuk.com - UK’s largest multi activity, adventure, sports and social group. Adventure group for ordinary people who want to do extraordinary things. Activities each month, subscription charge. St. John Ambulance: 020 7324 4000, email info@nhq.sja.org.uk, www.sja.org.uk, 27 St.John's Lane, London EC1M 4BU - The uniformed members of St. John Ambulance operate worldwide as unpaid volunteers who save lives, care for the sick and injured and relieve suffering. They operate coastal and river patrols, assist in hospitals and with many community social services for the sick, disabled and lonely. Cadet divisions for 10-16 year olds and the Badgers for children aged 6-10 year olds. St. Vincent de Paul Society: 020 7407 4644, email info@svp.org.uk, www.svp.org.uk, 5th floor, 291-299 Borough High Street, London SE1 1JG - To support the needy and marginalized by person to person contact. Activities include helping the elderly, sick, unemployed, lonely, bereaved. Volunteering England: 0845 305 6979, email volunteering@volunteeringengland.org, www.volunteering.org.uk - Provide information relating to volunteering and details of volunteer bureaux across the country. Useful websites
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