Find social activities and groups
Helping you to find out what is happening in your local community and beyond!
This is not an exhaustive guide, but provides suggestions which we hope will help you find activities in your area.
Find a club, group or social activity
We have collated an information directory below for a variety of clubs, groups and organisations that you may be interested in - click on a heading to expand it and show the lists/external links under that category.
If you have trouble using the list of searches and links below then please contact us and we will try to provide the information another way.
DISCLAIMER
The results that are produced by the following searches are for information only. Age UK Wiltshire does not recommend any of the organisations or services that will appear in the searches below, nor do we recommend the search providers. If you follow a link you will be taken to an external website, the content of which Age UK Wiltshire is not responsible for. Please refer to our Privacy Policy for more details.
Befriending and Wellbeing services
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Wellbeing, social support and befriending-type services (free) |
Independent Age (nationwide befriending) Our Good to Know telephone groups invite a different guest speaker each week to discuss issues that matter to older people. Topics include scams, the cost-of-living crisis, social care, benefits and finding new social connections - things that are simply 'Good To Know' about. Alzheimer's Support - Support at Home (paid-for service offering companionship and practical help for those with dementia) Alzheimer's Society 'Dementia Connect' (one-to-one social support for people with Alzheimer's or dementia) Sighted Guiding Service from Guide Dogs Association (one-to-one social support to get out and about for visually impaired) Letter from Louise penpal service Wiltshire Council Prevention and Wellbeing team (previously Local Area Coordinators) Tel: 0300 456 0111 - (supporting people in a strengths-based way, helping to develop and strengthen their networks and engage with community-based support) There might be a local charity linked to your previous occupation or a particular health problem that offers a befriending service e.g. Royal British Legion |
Swindon Circles / Swindon Local Heroes Tel: 01793 465513 (befriending and support for Swindon residents- part of Swindon Council Live Well hub) Swindon MHA -Tel: 01793 827771 befriending, lunch clubs, assisted shopping, activity and friendship sessions, outings, escorts to appointments. Some elements incur charges. Wiltshire CIL Community Connections (one-to-one support to help you live your Good Life and what this means, referral by GP only). Offering some limited socially distanced support during COVID. Care Home Volunteers Tel: 07931 022824 (friendship and social contact for people living in care homes) Royal Voluntary Service Tel: 01305 236666 (RVS Dorset, Wiltshire and Swindon Hub) operate services in Swindon such as Home from Hospital support, social clubs and a 'One-to-One service' Celebrating Age Wiltshire (short-term projects) If you're an informal carer then you could be eligible for support servies through Carer Support Wiltshire or Swindon carers centre. WSUN Walking Buddies - If you have a long-term health condition or disability, which makes it harder to connect with people and go outside, we can provide a walking buddy to accompany you on a regular walk around your local area. |
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Telephone befriending services (free) |
Age UK Wiltshire telephone befriending Age UK Call in Time (nationwide) Alabare - Mental health and wellbeing support project - temp project during COVID19 Carer's Support telephone befriending (for informal carers) |
Silverline (nationwide) RVS/NHS volunteershttps://nhsvolunteerresponders.org.uk/services - 'check in and chat' free befriending calls for those in need of a friendly chat and some encouragement to improve their mental health and wellbeing.
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Support to make small lifestyle changes to improve wellbeing (free) |
Wiltshire Health Improvement coaches (prev. Health Trainers)Tel: 0300 0034566 Swindon Live Well Hub - 01793 465513 |
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Befriending/ wellbeing services (Paid for) |
Wiltshire Council Shared Lives - a scheme which provides support, care and companionship to adults who have mental health needs or learning disabilities, physical impairments, or are elderly. |
MHA - Live at home nationwide schemes Driving Miss Daisy - Companionship where there is an element of travel You could consider employing a carer to complete outings and activities with you |
Exercise and Sports
| Fitness & Friendship Clubs | View Age UK Wiltshire's Fitness & Friendship clubs here | |
| Local exercise and fitness classes for over 50s | List of exercise groups across Wiltshire - Age UK Wiltshire info list | |
| Walking Sports | ||
| Cricket |
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| Bowls Clubs | Bowls Wiltshire | |
| Walking and Rambling |
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Lunch clubs, day centres and social groups
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Local lunch clubs, day centres and friendship groups (Please note Age UK Wiltshire do not run any lunch clubs or day centres ourselves) |
North Wiltshire Lunch Clubs, day centres and friendship groups - Age UK Wiltshire info list(Chippenham, Calne, Royal Wootton Bassett, Malmesbury)
East Wiltshire Lunch Clubs, day centres and friendship groups - Age UK Wiltshire info list(Devizes, Lavington, Marlborough, Pewsey)
Salisbury and South Wiltshire Lunch Clubs, Day Centres and friendship groups - Age UK Wiltshire info list(Salisbury, Amesbury, Alderbury, Whiteparish, Wilton, Mere, Tisbury)
West Wiltshire Lunch Clubs, Day Centres and friendship groups- Age UK Wiltshire info list(Trowbridge, Bradford on Avon, Westbury, Warminster, Melksham)
Swindon Lunch Clubs, Day Centres and friendship groups - Age UK Wiltshire info list
Wiltshire Together - Community website listing lots of groups and volunteer opportunities across the county |
| Re-engage (formerly 'Contact the Elderly') monthly tea parties | Re-engage monthly tea parties (Devizes, Trowbridge, Swindon, Melksham, RWB, Chippenham) |
| Faith in Later Life - national directory of church-based groups and clubs | Faith in Later Life |
| Your local church, sheltered housing scheme or village hall is quite likely to have a coffee morning or social group - just ask! |
Hobbies, Lifestyle and Occupations
| University of the Third Age (U3A) - member-led hobby and interest groups across the county. | U3A - groups including book groups, language, arts and games |
| Arts, crafts, knitting and film |
Arts Together (Devizes, Pewsey, Marlborough, BoA, Trowbridge and Corsham) Amdram (listings of amateur dramatics groups) Reach Inclusive Arts (Swindon) Wiltshire Creative (Salisbury) Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts (DOCA) Creative Minds Trowbridge (offering children and adults a range of therapeutic arts and crafts activities). |
| Board games and Bingo | |
| Books and Reading | |
| Singing, choirs and music |
Wiltshire Sing 'n' Smile clubs |
| Gardening, DIY and tools | Men's Sheds |
| Photography |
Society of International Nature & Wildlife Photographers - Wiltshire camera clubs directory |
| Campaign for Real Ale | CAMRA |
| Nationwide social-led organisations | |
| Diet and healthy eating |
Vegetarian for Life - pen and phone pals |
| Veteran's groups and organisations |
Armed Forces Breakfast Clubs (Devizes, Salisbury, Chippenham, Warminster and more) |
Health and carer related groups
| Physical health and disability related support groups | ||
| Hearing and Vision loss |
Wiltshire Council Hearing and Vision team |
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| Mental health and disability related support groups and friendship clubs |
>Wiltshire Mind 'Side by Side' online group Wiltshire IAPT (free psycho-educational courses around a range of psychological and emotional difficulties) Swindon & Gloucestershire Mind Alzheimer's Society (nationwide) |
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| Groups for carers |
Alzheimer's Society carer's groups (select 'Support in the community') |
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| For other health-related groups you could look up charities that may have a local presence - such as Stroke Association, Parkinson's Society, Arthritis Care, Headway, South Wilts Mencap | ||
Village and town area specific resources
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East Wiltshire (Devizes, Lavington, Marlborough, Pewsey) |
Love Devizes neighbourly group |
The Pewsey Messenger (Alton, Pewsey, Woodborough, Milton Lilbourne) |
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West Wiltshire (Trowbridge, Melksham, Bradford on Avon area, Westbury, Warminster) |
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North Wiltshire (Chippenham, Calne, Royal Wootton Bassett, Malmesbury) |
Malmesbury Seniors Club Contact: ellen.blacker@wiltshire.gov.uk (Community Champion) HomeInstead 'What's on Where' (WOW) guide - North Wilts & Swindon |
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| Salisbury city centre |
AUKW list of leisure activities - Salisbury Silver Salisbury community events |
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Southern Wiltshire (Amesbury, Whiteparish, Wilton, Mere, Tisbury) |
Silver Salisbury community events |
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| Swindon area |
Swindon council website - directory of clubs and groups HomeInstead 'What's on Where' (WOW) guide - North Wilts & Swindon |
Swindon U3A |
Can't find what you are looking for?
If you want to know what is going on in your community you might also try the following:
- Town, parish and church newsletters and websites are a good place to look for current information
- The council websites have databases of activities Wiltshire Council and Swindon's My Care My Support have a directory of clubs and groups.
- Wiltshire Together is a place where you can find out about local activites, events, groups and volunteering opportunities.
- Your local library can be an invaluable source of local information and may also host activities.
- Your town may have a Wiltshire Our Community Matters page which is like an online noticeboard for clubs and events.
- Word of mouth is often a good source of local information and friends, family or a neighbour may be able to recommend something from their own experiences
- Charities related to particular health conditions (e.g. Stroke Association) may have local activities and support groups in your area
WoW - What's on When
The What’s on When (WoW) Guide highlights some of the activities that are currently available in the local area (mainly for older adults), and through ‘The Directory’ at the rear of the guide signposts some of the organisations and websites that provide help and support, to older adults and their family and carers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Wellbeing and Social Activities
I am feeling lonely or would like to increase my social contact
We understand that it can be a bit daunting joining a new group or activitiy and we've put together some prompts to help you identify and understand the options available and support to help you enjoy later life more in ‘Age UK Wiltshire social activities prompt sheet’ . Plus, we have collated lots of information about local groups and resources on our Social activities and groups search page If you're struggling to access these activities or need help understanding what is available then we can have a guided holistic conversation with you to help you overcome barriers and increase your confidence.
We offer Fitness & Friendship clubs across the county and may have availability with our Telephone Befriending service and other support services – see Our Services page under ‘Are you feeling lonely or isolated?‘ for details.
If you have concerns about your overall mental health or wellbeing we have a list of mental health support numbers on our Telephone befriending page
I have been recently bereaved and not sure where to start
When someone dies there are lots of things to sort out and this is often at an incredibly difficult time when you feel least able to manage. Age UK's info guide When someone dies (IG03) can help you with the practical and emotional issues that you may need to deal with. Age UK’s website page Coping with bereavement may also help you to move things forward.
We offer a free Legal affairs service - free telephone appointments with a specialist volunteer to help you understand more about the areas of Wills, Power of Attorney and Dealing with an estate. Appointments must be booked in advance. Please note this does not constitute legal advice
The charity Cruse have volunteers who are trained in all types of bereavement and may be able to offer support.
I'm worried about my mental health or low mood
We'd encourage you to discuss how you're feeling with your GP in the first instance, and the below support services may also be able to help:
Local charities and services offering free or subsidised counselling or talking therapies and courses to help you manage your mental health and wellbeing include:
- Olive Branch (North Wilts)
- Help Counselling charity (West Wilts)
- Willows Counselling (Wilts and Swindon)
- Cornerstone (Warminster)
- Kelly Foundation (Swindon)
- Alabare - Riverside mental health and wellbeing support phone line Tel: 0808 2803528
- NHS Swindon talking therapies (previously known as Lift Psychology) and NHS Wiltshire talking therapies (previously known as IAPT)
- The Avon and Wiltshire partnership Mental Health 24/7 Response Line for AWP patients, families and carers who may be worried about their own or someone else's mental health. Tel: 0800 953 1919
National Charities include:
- SANE have a telephone advice line: 07984 967 708 for people experiencing mental health difficulties and low mood.
- The Calm Zone have a telephone helpline 0800 58 58 58 (5pm to midnight) for anyone feeling low in mood and wanting someone to talk to.
- Cruse offer free bereavement support and counselling through appointments in Bath, Salisbury and Swindon and also have a telephone support line. Tel: 0808 808 1677
- Samaritans offer a non-judgemental listening line: Tel: 116 123
I'm looking at planning for the future - where do I start?
Some practical considerations might include making a will, thinking about powers of attorney and considering funeral arrangements - these can all help ensure your preferences and wishes are taken into account in the future.
Age UK 'Lifebook' is a free downloadable booklet helps you to gather together useful information and contacts in one place.
Financially, you can have an income maximisation check to ensure you are claiming all the benefits and financial help you are entitled to. Familiarise yourself with ways to spot scams so you can keep your money safe.
With regards to your health you can consider completing an Advance Decision which can reassure you that you’ll receive the treatment and care you want. Understanding the process for adult social care assessments and hospital discharge can lessen the worry of what to do if you need a bit more support in the future.
You may wish to consider your housing options and the type of home that would suit your needs both now and in the future, including how any pets would fit into this.
Our FAQs cover many of these issues in more detail and Age UK has a huge range of information guides and factsheets covering topics from finances to care and housing and many more.