Tips on how to start your own club and stay connected to your community, from people who've done it.
Watch the video to hear how Sharon started her community group, the Shorehaven Yarners.
Sharon created the Shorehaven Yarners to rebuild her social life in a new community. The group was a great success, and now regularly meets to share skills, build connections, and support each other.
Now Sharon wants to share how she made it happen, so you can make it happen too. She's developed a tipsheet for anyone wishing to start up a new community group.
10 steps to begin, grow, and keep a community group
By the Shorehaven Yarners
- 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.
Start reaching out today
It’s never too late to grow your social circle and start making connections.
You can find the Shorehaven Yarners and other community groups on LiveUp’s activities database:
See activity in LiveUp's databaseCall our friendly team on 1800 951 971 for help finding local options.
Want more tips for connecting? LiveUp’s got you covered with other helpful articles:
How to reach out to your communityHow to use this information
LiveUp provides free information to help you make informed decisions about your health. This information is for general and educational purposes only, is not intended to provide a comprehensive guide, and does not replace medical advice. Everyone is different, so some of these tips may work better for you than others. You should use your own judgment and seek medical advice when applying this information to yourself, to determine if it is suitable in your circumstances. Your use of, or reliance on, this information is solely at your own risk. Independent Living Assessment Incorporated is not responsible or liable for any injury, loss, or damage caused as a result of your use of, or reliance on, this information.
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