Being a Part of Your Local Community

If you've retired, you might feel like, as you leave a community behind at work you want to explore what's available for you to be involved within your local area. We've put together of list of ideas or organisations that will hopefully help you feel a part of your community. 

Your local library offers more than just books

Libraries can be the hub of a community offering a lot more support than you might first think. They often tend to have a community noticeboard with volunteering opportunities, events and clubs to join so make sure you take a look. Here are just some of the services available (all libraries and areas differ so please check in at your local library)

• Access to computers and printers
• Audiobooks on cassette/CD
• Book delivery service
• Groups to attend 
• DVDs and CDs to loan for a small fee

Make sure you're registered to vote

Voting in local elections enables you to potentially make changes in your local area. If you aren't already, you can register to vote on the GOV.UK website 

You can vote in a local polling station or apply for a postal vote. 

From 4 May 2023, voters in England will need to show photo ID when voting in person at a polling station. If someone doesn’t have an accepted form of photo ID (e.g. passport, driver’s license, older person’s bus pass), they will need to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate (note they must be registered to vote beforehand). The deadline to register to vote for the May local elections is 17 April 2023 and the deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate is 25 April.

Postal votes are not affected by this change. Information packs are available.

Volunteering 

Joining an organisation as a volunteer can help you feel a part of a team and a sense of purpose for helping others. Don’t know where to start? If you’re on Facebook, join local groups and post that you’re wanting to volunteer, or see what information you can get from your local library and council. You could look up organisations like local churches, food banks and local charities.  

MHA has volunteering opportunities across the UK to help older people live later life well, visit our volunteering page to find out more and apply.

Join organisational classes or clubs

If you’re missing social interaction and friendship it's a good idea to find community groups to join. There’s plenty of national organisations like Rotary and Women’s Institute (WI) but there might also be a host of local groups available around your town too that you might not know of. As above, check out local Facebook groups and local information in the library or community centres. 

MHA has community groups across England and Wales to help older people live later life well, to find out about your nearest scheme by visiting our MHA Communities page >

If you want to stay active too, you could join a walking group, yoga class or chair-based exercise. See what's available in your local church halls or community centres. Or alternatively, see if your nearby gym offers classes for seniors and they will probably also offer a discounted rate for people over 60. 

Supporting small businesses 

In your local area there's probably a lot of small business on your high street. If you 'shop small' you're likely to get a more personalised service - seeing the same faces and having a chat over the counter. They might also offer delivery to local addresses and a discount for older people so check in with them to see what they offer.  

Webpage last updated: December 2022.