Retirement is a chance to begin an exciting new chapter. But for some, it can come with unexpected challenges such as feelings of isolation or a sense of lost purpose.
Local friendship group Birmingham Oddfellows wants to remind retirees that its community meetups can help them explore new interests, build lasting friendships, and make the most of this stage of life.
Wayne Homer, Birmingham Oddfellows Social Organiser said: “We understand that retirement can be a big adjustment. When work no longer fills your days, it’s easy to feel at odds or disconnected.
Our group is here to help people find a new rhythm, reconnect with others, and embrace this next phase with confidence.”
He added: “Retirement is much more than having free time – it’s about adjusting to a lifestyle where work isn’t the centre of everything.”
Birmingham Oddfellows is a not-for-profit mutual society and has a few hundred local members, who are mainly older adults. It hosts regular social events across Harborne, Rubery, Bromsgrove, Solihull, Kings Heath and Mere Green.
Group member Marian Baker originally from Chelmsley Wood, travelled and worked in France running her own bakery and B&B business for over a decade, before returning to the UK to retire. She said joining the Oddfellows helped her build a new routine in retirement.
Marian said: “When I first retired, I thought I’d spend my days relaxing. But I quickly found that I missed the social connections and routine that came with work. Joining the Oddfellows changed all of that. It’s given me the chance to volunteer, meet new people, and get involved in local events. I’ve found a sense of purpose that I didn’t know I was missing.”
As well as its events, Oddfellows members can access opportunities to volunteer, wellbeing support and a travel club.
We run six monthly catch ups across the Birmingham, Solihull and Bromsgrove area. Our first two catch ups of every month are in Rubery and Kings Heath.
The Rubery Cuppa and Catch Up is held every first Monday of the month (Monday 3rd August). It runs from 10:30am-12 noon at Morrisons Café, Rubery.
Our Kings Heath Cuppa and Catch Up will be held on the 5th August from 11:15am-12:45pm at the Red Lion, Vicarage Road, Kings Heath.
The Harborne Games Cuppa and Catch Up meet on the second Monday each month from 11am until 12.30pm at The Green Man, 2 High Street, Harborne, Birmingham B17 9NE.
Bromsgrove Cuppa and Chat and Catch Up meet on the third Monday of every month at the Bromsgrove Golf Centre from 11am – 12.30pm.
To find out more about Birmingham Oddfellows, people can get in touch by calling 0800 028 1810 to get an information pack, or visiting www.oddfellows.co.uk/retirement.
B31 Voices is run by volunteers and is committed to supporting communities across south west Birmingham and surrounding by keeping them informed and engaged. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Bluesky, Mastodon, Threads, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. Support us by donating at www.b31.org.uk/donate. Send us local story ideas to hello@b31.org.uk