"We aim to be a family for everybody"
Find out more about how Age UK Oldham supports older LGBT+ people in their community.
LGBT+ groups for older people and staying connected
Keeping in touch with loved ones and making new friends by taking part in social activities can help you stay connected. There are lots of social groups out there, and some are specifically for older LGBT+ people.
Where can I find LGBT+ social groups?
It's easy to get in the habit of staying at home and spending lots of time by yourself – but getting out and about is one of the best things you can do to stay happy and healthy.
Enjoying hobbies and getting involved in the local community can improve your self-confidence and keep you active. There are groups for everything from cooking and crafts to fitness and photography. You can usually find out what's going on in your local area at:
- community centres
- leisure centres
- faith groups
- libraries.
There are lots of social groups for older people, including plenty that are specifically for older LGBT+ people. There are also activity-based groups for LGBT+ people of all ages.
Find social groups near your
LGBT Consortium has a directory to help you find local LGBT+ services and groups.
Does Age UK run LGBT+ groups?
Some local Age UKs run social groups for older LGBT+ people, such as:
How can I use technology to stay in touch?
If it's tricky for you to get out and about to meet up in person, there are other ways you can stay in touch.
Over the phone
Re-engage run a telephone friendship service across the UK for LGBT+ people called rainbow call companions. They match LGBT+ people over the age of 75 with an LGBT+ volunteer for regular friendship calls.
Find out more about rainbow call companions on the Re-engage website
You can call Switchboard to speak to a friendly LGBTQIA+ volunteer. Whether you'd like advice about relationships, information about local groups and activities or just a chat about how you're feeling. Call 0800 0119 100, lines are open every day 10am-10pm.
Find out more on the Switchboard website
Online
Email and video calls are a great way to stay in touch with friends and family. Social networks such as Facebook are also a good way to keep in touch, share photos and find out about what's going on in your area.
Some people find love online too. Online dating is now one of the most common ways to meet a partner – and there are lots of LGBT+ dating sites and apps. But if you're meeting new people online, it's important to be careful about giving out your personal information and meeting up in real life.
We're here to help
We offer support through our free advice line on 0800 678 1602. Lines are open 8am-7pm, 365 days a year. We also have specialist advisers at over 120 local Age UKs.