Making new friends and doing new activities

Towards the end of 2022, the Cardiff social groups began to meet up again in person. Mark Griffiths who runs the groups visited people to spread the word. One of those people was Leslie…

Leslie had generally enjoyed going out, but it had always been on his own. However at the beginning of 2023 Leslie decided to join in with ‘Meal Out Mondays’, where the social groups visit old favourite restaurants and try new ones, and he hasn’t looked back.

Now, Leslie is always the first to arrive, and loves being involved with everything that is going on. He has become a really popular member of the group.

Leslie has even helped the group to grow; he recently persuaded his friend Gwen to attend, and now she regularly comes along with her friend George. Leslie’s birthday fell on a Monday, so he got to choose the restaurant that the Meal out Monday group went to.

When he arrived at the restaurant, he was presented with a huge card that was signed by all his friends from the social group. 

Thursday night is activity night for the social group, who often go bowling. Unfortunately, Thursday was also the night when Leslie regularly visited his family. However, Leslie loved his new social life so much that he decided to change his routine and see his family on a different night so that he can go bowling. His family are thrilled at his new friendships and activities!

Leslie had rarely been to the theatre before going to see Cirque of Excellence at the New Theatre. But he enjoyed that show so much that he is keen to attend more shows either with or without the group.

The social group has opened up a whole new world for Leslie, so much so that he has decided to buy himself a whole new wardrobe of clothes so he has options of what to wear on all of his new adventures!

You can read more about our impact in Cardiff in the 2022-23 report: