Finding new friends or starting an activity can feel more difficult after leaving full-time work, moving to a new area or experiencing a change in circumstances. Fortunately, Bournemouth has social groups for over-50s covering everything from walking and singing to art, gentle exercise, community lunches and...
11th September 2026
Finding new friends or starting an activity can feel more difficult after leaving full-time work, moving to a new area or experiencing a change in circumstances. Fortunately, Bournemouth has social groups for over-50s covering everything from walking and singing to art, gentle exercise, community lunches and volunteering.
Some organisations are specifically for people over 50 or 55, while others welcome adults of every age but are particularly popular with older residents. Always contact the organiser before your first visit, as places, prices and meeting arrangements can change.
SAGES is a friendly group for older people held at the LIFE.CENTRE on Wimborne Road in Moordown.
Its five-week programmes combine entertainment, illustrated talks, Christian discussions, afternoon tea and short worship services. The group also arranges a trip during each term.
SAGES meets on Mondays from 2pm. A separate weekly lunch club runs from 1pm–2pm and currently costs £5. Lunch must be booked in advance.
Click HERE to discover more about SAGES in Bournemouth.
Pinners Award Club is a welcoming option for adults who would like to pursue personal goals while becoming part of a supportive local community.
Based at the Pinners hub on Wimborne Road, its current programme includes Craft Wise creative sessions, Book Wise meetings and Weight Wise wellbeing groups.
The club is not exclusively for over-50s, making it a good choice for people who would prefer a mixed-age environment. A joining fee and per-visit charge apply, and places should be checked with the organiser.
Click HERE to discover more about Pinners Award Club
Re-engage runs free monthly tea parties for people aged 75 and over who would benefit from more company.
Groups are available within the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area. Volunteer drivers collect guests, take them to the gathering and bring them home afterwards, making this a useful option for someone who might otherwise struggle with transport.
Availability is postcode-based, so enter your postcode on the Re-engage website to find the appropriate local opportunity.
Bournemouth u3a is one of the strongest all-round options for people who have stepped away from full-time employment and want to continue learning, meeting others and exploring their interests.
Its member-led activities span educational, creative, cultural, social and physical subjects. Groups meet at different venues and follow their own schedules, with some gathering weekly and others monthly.
There is no formal minimum joining age. The emphasis is on learning for enjoyment rather than gaining qualifications, and members share their knowledge and experience with one another.
Bournemouth Happy Monday Ramblers combines countryside walking with a strong social element.
Walks normally begin at 10am on Mondays and explore locations within approximately an hour’s drive of Bournemouth, including East Dorset and the New Forest. Most routes are between four and eight miles, and there is often an optional visit to a café or pub afterwards.
The group describes its pace as moderate rather than competitive, but prospective members should read the route information and consider the distance, terrain and transport before booking.
BCP Health Walks provide a gentler introduction to walking with other people.
The guided walks visit parks, coastal locations and open spaces across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. Previous locations have included Kings Park, Queen’s Park and Upton Country Park.
These walks can be more suitable for someone returning to exercise or looking for a shorter, supported group activity. Check the current programme for meeting points, distances and accessibility.
Set above Alum Chine,Argyll Bowling Club offers outdoor activity alongside a friendly club atmosphere and sea views.
The club welcomes people of every age, including beginners, and non-members can enquire about trying bowls before committing to membership. Social events, informal bowling and an on-site café add to its appeal for anyone interested in both exercise and company.
Sing Together provides welcoming community singing for people over 55 in Bournemouth and Poole.
Songs are performed with guitar accompaniment or in a cappella harmony, and members do not need to read music. This makes it approachable for beginners as well as experienced singers.
The Bournemouth group has been associated with St Barnabas Church in Queen’s Park, but the current venue and schedule should be confirmed before attending. For up-to-date details, telephone Jackie on 07768 084132.
Chicken Soup Choir is another friendly option for adults who enjoy contemporary group singing.
There is no audition, and rehearsals combine singing with opportunities to meet other members socially. As this is not specifically an over-50s choir, it may appeal to readers seeking a mixed-age group.
View Chicken Soup Choir in the Bournemouth community directory.
Bournemouth Arts Club brings together local people with an interest in visual art.
Its programme includes exhibitions, lectures, studio visits and practical working days. Associate membership is open to anyone interested in art and does not require the same selection process as full exhibiting membership.
This could suit someone looking to develop their creativity while meeting artists and other art enthusiasts.
Click HERE to discover more about Bournemouth Arts Club.
Craft Wise provides structured but sociable creative sessions at Pinners Award Club in north Bournemouth.
Several daytime and evening sessions are offered during the week, making it more flexible than many traditional craft clubs. Contact Pinners before visiting to check availability and what materials participants should bring.
Age UK Bournemouth, Poole and East Dorset runs health and wellbeing activities designed for people over 55.
Its combined gentle and seated yoga class provides different options for people who prefer lower-intensity movement or find moving between standing and seated positions difficult. The class is held at Moordown Community Centre, but advance booking is required and seasonal schedules can change.
View Age UK’s current health and wellbeing activities.
Bournemouth has several lawn-bowling clubs offering gentle outdoor activity, friendly competition and regular social events.
Alongside Argyll Bowling Club, possibilities include Bournemouth Bowling Club, Kings Park Bowls and Social Club, Pelhams Bowls Club and Boscombe Cliff Bowling Club.
Beginners should contact a club directly to ask about introductory sessions, equipment, coaching and seasonal opening arrangements.
The SAGES lunch club takes place at the LIFE.CENTRE in Moordown from 1pm-2pm on Mondays.
Lunch currently costs £5 and must be reserved beforehand. Email tona.carr@bournemouthcommunitychurch.com to check availability and discuss dietary requirements.
Age UK’s Pub Clubs bring older residents together for meals at pubs and restaurants around Bournemouth, Poole and East Dorset.
Venues and dates change, and transport may be available for an additional charge within eligible postcode areas. Participants must book and pay in advance.
The Rotary Club of Westbourne combines volunteering, fundraising and friendship.
Members support community and charitable projects while meeting other people who want to contribute locally. The club is open to adults from different backgrounds and can be a rewarding option for someone who wants a regular social connection with a clear purpose.
Click HERE to discover more about the Rotary Club of Westbourne.
Age UK Bournemouth, Poole and East Dorset offers several ways to support older residents.
Opportunities can include helping at its day centre, assisting with meals and refreshments, supporting activities or volunteering in a charity shop. Roles change according to current need, so contact the charity before applying.
Re-engage relies on volunteers to help deliver tea parties and telephone befriending services.
Depending on availability, roles can include hosting, driving older guests or making regular companionship calls. It can be a particularly meaningful choice for someone who understands how important consistent social contact can be.
The Community Connections service from Age UK Bournemouth, Poole and East Dorset supports older people experiencing loneliness or social isolation.
A support worker can help someone identify suitable activities, rebuild confidence and reconnect with their community. Individuals can contact the service themselves, or a referral can be made by a relative, carer, GP or other professional.
Telephone 01202 530530 or read about Community Connections.
Re-engage’s Call Companions service is available to people aged 75 and over who would benefit from regular telephone contact.
Participants are matched with a volunteer who calls regularly for conversation and companionship. This may suit someone who finds attending an in-person group difficult or who would like additional social contact between activities.
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