Re: Advice needed please What is U3A

A local 'Walking for health' group might be a good idea. Most towns have one. They do walks for all abilities - anything between 2 & 5 miles. It's mixed ages and you get to see lots of the lovely countryside.

Re: Advice needed please What is U3A

Yes, I've been on some of those
The leaders are very good, and know all sorts of paths & interesting areas

If you are going to take up this sort of easy walking, I very much recommend trail shoes instead of boots

Re: Advice needed please What is U3A

As others have mentioned it is the University of the Third Age basically a WEA for the over 50s.

I have never been myself (too much to do) but everybody I know that goes swears by it, well worth investigating especially if you need to get out more, learn new hobbies, make new friends etc.

(suddenly not sure if the UK has WEA - it stands for Workers Educational Association)

Re: Advice needed please What is U3A

I'm not good with clubs...never have been but I expect if I was all alone I might consider checking it out.

I know a lady from another forum and she teaches ballroom dancing at her group....she loves it. Actually she told me once they need more males to partner females...that might be an option for you

Re: Advice needed please What is U3A

Hi and thank you for your replies.
I think shes worried that last time when I was isolated I was in a much worse place mentally and physically and no one realised how bad I was, not even me really.
I think the Doc is just being cautious.

Re: Advice needed please What is U3A

Well sounds like she is 'being cautious' for your own good, MC, if she has seen how it has affected you previously.

Maybe it would be a good idea to make an effort to join something and interact with more people, but you must try.

Re: Advice needed please What is U3A

There's an organisation called 'MIND' that's very good. It's for people with depression & mental illness.

They have meeting places where people gather to socialise etc..

Look MIND up on the internet.

Re: Advice needed please What is U3A

I think that list of activities in U3A doesn't seem codgety at all .
There are loads of things you can do learn a language go hiking
We looked at it but Mr M is not very socially minded .
The walks were good but you can't take a dog .

Re: Advice needed please What is U3A

I also went on a U3A walking group. But it was only once a month. It was interesting as it was through the local Epping Forest.
That made me search for other local walking groups. I found the ‘Walking For health’.
One on Monday and the other on Thursday.
It was on the Monday one that I met my ‘friend’. She lives very local to me, and we see and do other activities during the week. 😉

Re: Advice needed please What is U3A

Don't let yourself become isolated, because it's not healthy. If I caught myself thinking along those lines I would be seeing my doctor about it.

When I was a support worker I worked with some people who, in addition to their other problems, had retreated into their shell and who had spent years isolating themselves. In one case it had been around 20 years on their own with the most minimal of contact with the outside world. You wouldn't want the lives they had, I can guarantee you. Please, face the world, because the alternative is not desirable.