Coventry group help beat loneliness in retirement
The group’s latest message is part of an ongoing campaign to inspire people to stay connected, active and fulfilled in retirement
A "friendly society" in Coventry hopes to inspire people to stay connected, active and fulfilled in retirement.
In a recent survey commissioned by the Oddfellows, it found retirees can experience negative feelings such as loneliness, boredom and a reduced sense of identity and purpose.
Of those who felt bored, 66% said this happened within the first year, and a third (34%) in just three months.
They also claimed their boredom was due to having too much time on their hands (64%), having a lack of motivation or purpose (61%) and that they struggled with a lack of daily routine (50%).
Branch Secretary for Coventry Godiva Oddfellows, Christine Luckett, said: “You have grand plans when you retire, and rightly so, but the reality is that you have lots of free time on your hands and you need to give it structure and purpose. It can be hard to keep yourself motivated each day.
“It’s commonplace to plan for your finances in retirement, but it’s also important to make sure you look after your emotional and social needs, too. We can definitely help with that.”
The group says retirees can get more from their retirement by meeting up with new people, trying new activities and visiting new places.
Each month, it holds around four events in and around the Coventry area, from walks, talks and coffee mornings, to lunches, excursions and quizzes.
Group member, Jan Lewis, 65, from Rugby, retired from her job 14 years ago. She says that by adding regular Oddfellows events into her diary has helped her find more enjoyment in retirement.
She said: “I’ve found that you have to have something to look forward to and it’s a great way to get to know other people in a similar situation.
“You can also try activities that wouldn’t normally come your way, like trips out and some of the guest talks. You need to stay curious and try new things or boredom can definitely creep in.”
Coventry Godiva Oddfellows is part of one of the UK’s oldest and largest friendly societies. It aims to improve people’s lives through friendship and support.