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Hobbies are important – maybe more so than we realise. As well as being fulfilling, entertaining, and even beneficial for our overall health and wellbeing, they’re a great way to maintain social connections within our communities and meet new, like-minded people.
However, finding a hobby that you can enjoy with others, and that you want to commit to isn’t always easy. With so many different activities out there, it can be difficult to know where to start.
With this in mind, we’ve partnered with Pegasus to bring you nine social hobbies to try in later life. Pegasus build and manage beautiful later-living communities for people over 60 across the UK. Placing a strong emphasis on community, they organise a wide range of social activities for their residents.
Why social hobbies are important…
As we’ve already mentioned, hobbies, in general, can boost our mental and physical wellbeing by helping to alleviate stress and increase longevity, among other things.
But research suggests that social hobbies might be a more effective form of self-care than solo strategies, like engaging in mindful activities and spending time outdoors (although these are still good ways to give your mental health a boost).
In fact, this study revealed that people who regularly engaged in social activities were more satisfied with their lives one year later, compared to people who implemented individual wellbeing strategies (for example, giving up smoking). The second group reported no such change.
It can be argued that the social aspect of hobbies becomes even more important in later life – particularly when we retire. Activities play a key role in helping us to maintain social connections with the wider community – ones we might lose when we stop working.
For some, retirement might be an exciting opportunity to devote more time to the things that they love. But for others, the prospect of having so much free time on their hands might seem a little daunting.
If you aren’t currently involved in any social hobbies and want to give some a try, there are plenty of exciting and interesting activities out there…
9 social hobbies to try in later life
1. Tai Chi
Tai Chi (also called ‘Tai Chi Chuan’ and ‘Shadowboxing’) is an ancient Chinese practice that’s beneficial for both the mind and body. It’s technically considered a martial art, as it was originally developed for self-defence, but nowadays it’s generally used for its meditative qualities and health benefits. These range from improved mood, balance, and sleep, to stress reduction and the relief of pain caused by arthritis.
Usually taught in a class, a Tai Chi instructor will take you through different breathing, movements, meditations, and visualisation exercises. Some people like to describe it as ‘meditation in motion’.
Tai Chi is an excellent social hobby to get involved with because the atmosphere of classes is generally relaxed and welcoming.
To get a better understanding of what Tai Chi is, you might want to take a look at our beginner’s guide. And to find a Tai Chi class near you, you can pop your postcode into this handy search engine from Better.org.
“We run a weekly Tai Chi class at our community in Tetbury. Lots of residents look forward to it, and it’s been really beneficial for their balance and wellbeing.”
– Harriet Hawkins, General Manager at Steepleton, Pegasus’ community in Tetbury
2. Writing
Are you an avid writer or have you always aspired to put pen to paper? If so, then why not consider joining a writing group?
Writing groups are made up of a handful of dedicated scribes who meet regularly to read, discuss, and offer feedback on each other’s work.
Not only are writing groups an effective way to improve your writing and keep you accountable (and therefore productive!) but they’re also a fun way to socialise. Sharing feelings, memories, viewpoints, and more through your art can lead to some deep, meaningful, and long-lasting connections with your fellow members.
The search engine below from the Society of Authors will help you to find a writing group near you. Or, if you’d like to start your own, this guide from the Scottish Book Trust will give you some pointers.
3. Singing
Whether you’re belting out power ballads in the shower or performing in front of a crowd, for some of us, singing is one of the most happiness-inducing activities out there. This is because it releases endorphins (happy hormones) and decreases cortisol (stress hormones) in our bodies. So if you love to sing, why not consider joining a choir?
From nationwide pop and rock singing groups to local religious choirs run by churches, there’s a chorus out there for everyone. And while there are prestigious choirs that audition for entry, there are plenty that accept anyone looking to get involved – so you don’t have to be able to sing like Pavarotti to join in.
Research shows that singing in groups has an ‘ice-breaking’ effect and is a particularly effective way to forge social connections. So if you’re looking for a social pastime, choir singing could be for you.
4. Wine tasting
Sometimes there’s nothing better than bonding with someone over a glass of wine. But heading to your local pub or bar can become a little monotonous, and it can be difficult to meet like-minded people if you want to expand your social circle. So if you’re a bit of a wine fanatic, why not add some purpose to your weekly indulgence and attend wine tastings?
The Vincent, Pegasus’ community in Bristol, has held regular wine-tasting evenings that have been popular among the residents. Attending wine tastings can help you to develop your palate and discover new and interesting wines, and you’ll also get to meet a whole host of friendly faces.
If you’d like, you could even try hosting a wine tasting with your friends and family. This blog post will give you some tips on how.
5. Flower arranging
Flower arranging is the art of organising flowers and other plant material – which you can purchase or collect yourself on nature walks – into expressive displays.
It’s a pretty unique pastime because it blends creative expression with interacting with the natural world. And as well as delivering a whole host of mental health benefits – such as reduced feelings of anxiety – taking a course, workshop, or joining a club can be a great way to meet like-minded people.
If you’d like something fixed-term which will help you get to grips with the basics, you might want to take a look at the courses and workshops near you. And if you want to get involved with something more permanent, there are also plenty of clubs affiliated with the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies (NAFAS).
“This was a real social activity. Everyone was getting involved with a glass of fizz and sharing their creations. We can’t wait for wreath making, which we’re running later on in the year!”
– Harriet Hawkins, General Manager at Steepleton, Tetbury
6. Playing a team sport
As well as boosting physical wellbeing and self-confidence, playing a team sport is one of the best ways to socialise.
Being united with your teammates in pursuit of a common goal helps to forge deep and long-lasting friendships and, according to this recent study, people who played a team sport attended three times as many social events each week as those who didn’t. Whether this is because sociable people are more attracted to team sports or playing in a team helps you to become more sociable, we can’t say. But it’s still an encouraging metric.
From walking football and pickleball to pool and darts, there are plenty of team sports out there suited to all levels of fitness and mobility. Check out the sports and exercise section of our website for some inspiration.
7. Volunteering as a tutor
Sociable hobbies don’t necessarily need to be ways to make friends. Instead, they can involve making different kinds of meaningful connections in your community. One example of this is volunteering as a tutor.
Volunteering as a tutor is massively fulfilling. Whether you’re coaching teenagers to pass their GCSEs, helping adults to improve their literacy skills, or even teaching someone a musical instrument, seeing your students progress and use what you’ve taught them to better their lives is endlessly rewarding.
There are plenty of organisations that are looking for volunteer tutors. Though a popular choice is the Tutorfair Foundation, which has volunteer opportunities available for people with a range of experience. Or you can search for roles on our website.
8. Games
As children, we spend almost all of our time playing games and, in those early years, it fosters our development by promoting healthy behaviours like creativity and sharing.
Many of us stop playing games when we reach adulthood, and this isn’t necessarily a good thing – because as well as reducing stress and improving brain function, it can help us to make new connections and foster strong relationships.
So whatever you’re into – board games, card games (bridge club is popular among homeowners at Steepleton), video games, or role-playing games – why not try hosting a weekly games night? Or, if you’re looking to meet new people, why not see if there’s a local group or club that you can join? This article has a few tips on ways to meet friendly gamers near you!
9. Dancing
Dancing and socialising have gone hand in hand for centuries, from the regal dances of the Late Renaissance to the fist-pumping discos of the 1970s. There’s something about moving our bodies to the sound of music that connects us, without the need for words – which makes it an ideal activity for introverts looking for an icebreaker.
Some experts suggest that the reason for this is that the endorphins released when we dance facilitate social connection. Others think that it’s more to do with how the self blurs into the group when we move bodies in sync. Either way, whether you want to bust some hip-hop moves or spin your way around a ballroom, joining a dance group or taking a class is the perfect way to connect with others.
“Orgainsing activities for our homeowners and rental members is so important to us as it gives the development a real community feel. Having options of activities to do on-site means that residents can do the things they enjoy with neighbours and friends, without having the added stress of organising transport.
“We are always on the lookout for new activities and often send it out for the homeowners and rental members to decide in order to provide them with exactly what they want.”
– Harriet Hawkins, General Manager at Steepleton, Tetbury
Final thoughts…
Whether you’re looking for new ways to boost your mental health, make connections with others, or perhaps you’re simply in the market for some new ways to spend your time, we hope that this list of social hobbies has offered you some inspiration.
From Latheram House in Cheltenham to Jesmond Assembly in Newcastle, Pegasus create later-living communities all across England, with an emphasis on curating strong and well-connected communities.
As well as running a wide variety of sociable activities, each development is well-located in an urban or suburban area and within walking distance of good public transport links. So even if homeowners can’t find the hobby that they’re looking for on-site, they’re always within easy reach of plenty of sociable activities and events.
Although, that isn’t to say that you can’t organise your own activities at a Pegasus later-living community…
“All the best ideas for organised activities come from the homeowners,” says Keith Turnbull, General Manager at The Vincent, Bristol. “And as the community has grown, the majority of events are now led and promoted by the homeowners themselves.”
To find out more about Pegasus, take a look at our article, 6 places to retire in England, or visit their website.
