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Find a community group

Community groups & activities for older people

Empowering older people to make new friends and have fun in a friendly community setting.

Resident smiling and painting

Live later life well in your community

Whether you like crafts, games, quizzes, or cheerleading, you will find something to enjoy with us. We have something for everyone, no matter what your interests or abilities are. 

You can join our MHA Communities social groups for:

  • Creative activities like arts and crafts  
  • Entertaining games and quizzes  
  • Energetic cheerleading and exercise classes  
  • Social outings like pub lunches and tea dance  
  • Learning new skills like computer literacy
  • Assisted shopping trips and outings.

We have groups in different locations across England and Wales, and each one has its own schedule of activities. You can choose what you want to do and when you want to do it. Many of our MHA Communities social groups offer a variety of dementia-friendly services and activities to suit individual needs and preferences

Our social groups are affordable and accessible. You only need to pay a small contribution to join in our activities, and we keep the costs low thanks to our fundraisers. In some areas our Local Authority partners or other funders subsidise our activities.

95%

of members say that their membership has reduced feelings of loneliness and isolation

92%

of members say that their membership has improved their mental health

89%

of members say that their membership helps them to feel more connected to their community

86%

of members say that their membership has improved their sense of purpose, motivation and confidence

84%

of members say that their membership has improved their physical health

The social group is something to look forward to, breaks the week up. Conversations to be had, banter to be had, ideas to exchange, outings to be enjoyed, great meals and teas to be enjoyed. Moral support is given if needed, enjoyment all round - also activities to enjoy. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Community group member

I am grateful to MHA. Helping my mother get out each Tuesday and helping her maintain her independence and dignity as she has a number of health issues. It gives me peace of mind knowing that she is having a meal and being looked after for a few hours each week spending time in the company of her friends.

Relative

Attending our club day every week with my little therapy dog has helped me immensely to get through very difficult times. I don’t  know if I would be the strong person I am today without our club days.

Community group member

I lost my husband last year and have been very depressed and lonely since. Volunteering with MHA has helped me through a very sad time in my life and I am grateful for that.

Volunteer

My confidence has returned which has an impact on others that attend MHA members and staff and volunteers alike. I just love everything about it.

Community group member

MHA has made such a positive difference to the lives of not only my mother, who attends the group activities, but to us her family. My brother and I would have struggled to visit mum and entertain her and with vascular dementia she needs a lot of reassurance which can be quite exhausting.

Relative
Two friends seated on a sofa having a conversation with focus on older woman wearing a pink shirt

Befriending

We also offer befriending services, where you can be matched with a volunteer who will visit you regularly or call for a friendly chat. Our befrienders offer companionship, emotional support, and practical help. They can also help you to access other services or activities that you might benefit from.  

More about our befriending services
An MHA Tiny Tablet showing a word game with two older female care home residents

MHA Active

Designed to enhance later life living by putting an interactive world at the fingertips of older people, MHA Active is our free lifestyle and wellness app that provides a raft of content tailored to an older audience.

  • Keep your mind and body active
  • Videos, articles and games
  • Improve your health and wellbeing
  • Suitable for all ages and abilities
  • Accessible online
Download the app
Older male with grey hair stroking robotic cat whilst sat with a female care assistant

Support our work

As a national charity, our community groups and activities can only be delivered by the charitable support of our volunteers, fundraisers and corporate partnerships. We need the support of amazing people like you to continue our work and enable even more people to live later life well. 

More about supporting MHA