- Start with a small post on your neighbourhood’s Facebook community page. In the post, ask if anyone would be interested in meeting once a week to do an activity. For example, to knit, crochet, have a coffee, read books, swap recipes, or do whatever interests you. There will definitely be a few responses (or a lot).
- Now you can make the arrangements. Pick a venue. Choose a day and time. Book a table. If it’s a cafe, it’s a good idea to ask permission to bring craft items.
- Let everyone who responded to your post know where to come and when.
- Turn up. Be prepared to wait, as everyone will be a bit nervous and no one will want to be the first one to arrive.
- Take a prop to place on your table. For example, a basket of yarn, stack of books, or whatever represents your new group. This is so everyone knows which table to go to.
- Smile and be friendly. Make introductions. Thank everyone for coming. Chat. Ask questions. Relax. Enjoy. Discuss and agree on a name for the group. Don’t forget to take pictures.
- Set up a group chat on Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp, to keep everyone connected.
- Post a picture on your neighbourhood’s Facebook community page of the first meeting. Post updates about your new club from time to time, inviting newbies to join.
- Set up a Facebook page for your group (optional). Here you can post regular updates about meeting times, events, or news about the club.
- Your group will slowly grow. Firm friendships will happen. Laughter will happen. Connections will happen. The group will evolve, change, grow, shrink, grow. It will make a difference — to you, to the group, and to the community. You got this!
It’s never too late to grow your social circle and start making connections.
