Having close and meaningful friendships is an essential part of staying happy and healthy. If you find making friends daunting or you are struggling to meet people that share your interests, here are our top ten suggestions to help you forge new friendships in a safe way.
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Top ten tips for making new friends in a safe way
1. Join a group or club
Take the initiative to meet new people by joining a club or group where people with interests like yours meet frequently, whether it’s a book club, parent or baby meetup, music group, or sports club. Love to travel? Join a travel group or sign up for a group trip. These are all great ways to meet people who share your interests.
2. Take a class or workshop
Take a class or workshop on a topic you're interested in such as an art class or language course. This can be a great way to get to know people in a safe setting, and you'll be learning something new as well.
3. Get involved with your local community
Research what’s available in your neighbourhood by looking in your local newspaper or community bulletin board for events at your local library or community centre. Is there a voluntary group charged with keeping your local park looking great? Or a regular litter pick-up where people meet to tidy up the streets? Is there a local festival you could offer to help organise? Alternatively, you could take the initiative and start something yourself such as a neighbourhood book club, or community watch group.
4. Volunteer in your community
Sign up for local charity events and organisations or causes you care about. Volunteering can be a great way to help others while also giving you the opportunity to connect with people who share similar values.
5. Attend social events
Attending social or community events can be a great way to meet new people with similar interests and make connections, such as art gallery openings, book readings, lectures, or music recitals.
6. Join meetups
Use online platforms to connect with people who share your interests. Meetup is a great networking site that allows you to connect with people in your area who share similar interests. Just search by your interest and join a group, or alternatively, start one yourself.
7. Use friendship apps
Meeting people online can be a helpful first step if you feel apprehensive about putting yourself out there. There are several apps designed just for making friends. You should only use apps, however, that go to additional lengths to ensure that only legitimate members join up. For added safety, Bumble For Friends, for example, uses a two-step verification process to verify that people match the person shown in their profile pictures. And always remember, when meeting people in person for the first time, be cautious and take adequate steps to ensure your safety.
8. Connect on social media
Social media can be a great way to make new connections. You can connect with people in your area, and make plans to meet in real life. It’s a great way to connect with old friends, too, and can feel more natural for many people than approaching someone in person. Follow accounts of people who have similar interests to you. Write positive comments on their posts and send them a friendly DM if it’s appropriate.
9. Connect with your alumni association
Most colleges have alumni associations that meet regularly, allowing you to reconnect with old friends, classmates, and professors. Engaging in alumni activities and events can help you build new friendships and strengthen existing relationships.
10. Walk a dog
Regularly walking your dog is another great way to meet new people, especially other dog owners. If you don’t have a dog, you can always volunteer to walk dogs from your local animal shelter or rescue group. Websites like Borrow My Doggy and Rover are other great options for connecting with dog owners looking for someone to walk their dogs.
At Allianz Partners, our mission is to keep you well. Whether you need help, advice or support, our Helpline is here for you 24/7. Contact us today.
