New social life for an 18 year old

[east-of-the-Rye]

My 18 year son started university but some things went wrong and he has taken Leave of Absence until next October. He's back with us looking for a job. He's never been a very sociable person and the few friends he had at school are either at distant universities or in Australia(!). He may find a job with great social life - but he may not. Where can an 18 year old make friends or at least acquaintances? - sports is an option but although he's quite active, he's not particularly good at any sport so from what I can see of the Dulwich Sports Clubs wouldn't be able to join much there. Most "Meet Up" type clubs seem to be aimed at people in their 20-30s or older. Any ideas?

[sheff]

Does he ride?

Joining a cycle club like Dulwich Paragon may be an option..

I've not ridden with them myself but often come across them when out.

There will be a mixture of ages, and abilities.

And, on a bike you can say as little or as much as you like!

There will always be a cycling club at uni as well if he goes back which would be a bonus.

[Otta]

Send him to dulwich hamlet.

[Nigello]

How about a job in a small cafe, perhaps a privately-owned one? Whenever I go to Rosie's or Blue Brick Cafe etc. the staff (all young) seem to be very jolly and get along together.

[Sue]

What are his interests?

Meeting up with like minded people would seem like a good bet?

[tiddles]

Get a job in a pub?

[DirtyBox]

Maybe he should take up some sort of martial art, they are generally friendly, it's a good work out, and he will gain some confidence.

[Barnesfan]

Job in a pub is a great way to meet people, make friends and build confidence. I'm still mates with people I met working in a pub twenty years ago.

[siousxiesue]

Volunteering in an area he enjoys (animals etc) is a good way to 'get out of your own skin' and become more confident in social situations?

[Iain]

He's welcome to join us at KCH Rugby on Turney Rd, we do play serious rugby, but also he's welcome just to come and train socially, we run 2 sides.

Tuesday 7pm training, food afterwards in the bar

Saturday pm games, watch home games if he doesn't want to play

Oh yeah, and we're quite social too ;-)

PM me for more details if you'd like

Iain

[Blah Blah]

If he's not very sociable or struggles to be so then finding something he's very interested in is probably the only way to motivate him to join something and stick with it. There are lots of activities like politics, the arts, free lectures, etc that he could look at doing. Someone suggested volunteering too. There are all kinds of charities that young people volunteer at. Crisis is a good charity for that, working with the homeless, amongst others. They btw have a volunteering information day this Saturday.

[mikeb]

I can confirm how friendly the people at Crisis are. One of my friends met her now-husband there!

[east-of-the-Rye]

Thanks for your ideas, he's got two volunteering jobs now - one at an environmental project and one a charity shop, and doing some coaching at a homework club so we'll see how those go. The experience he's getting may help him get a job too. Thanks again.

[natty01295]

He should try charity shop , volunteer work

Or

www.do-it.org

Its a volunteering website