LOCAL GROUPS
Local groups enable people ageing without children to come together for peer support, share experiences, obtain information and work with local organisations to ensure that the needs of people ageing without children are included in policy, planning and services for older people.
Organisations wanting to set up groups can download our guide for organisations here - Guide to Running groups for people ageing without children
There are informal AWOC groups in different parts of the country and if you would like to explore forming a new one or help in finding a group close to you, please contact us through our Facebook group. Each group runs independently and controls its own agenda. The four largest are:
AWOC YORK
Spurred into action by a meeting with Kirsty Woodard in the summer of 2015, we held an AWOC workshop in the York 50+ Festival that September, and then convened the first AWOC York meeting in January 2016. We continued our monthly meetings at the Cross Keys Pub in Goodramgate until Covid intervened, alternating between afternoons (2 - 4 pm) and evenings (5.30 - 7.30 pm). The pub kindly provided the room free of charge which was of great help in the early years!
During Covid we took to Zoom and since July 2021 we have held hybrid meetings at Spark York on the 2nd Wednesday of each month 2-4pm.
Speakers have shared information and entered into lively discussion on issues such as wills and powers of attorney, advance decisions, health and wellbeing, dementia, homeshare, de-cluttering, alternative funerals, telecare, first aid, volunteering, neighbourhood support etc. It’s all grist to the mill!
We meet for a snack lunch at Spark before meetings. Getting to know one another socially helps to build relationships which, as we have found, lead to peer support in time of need.
For more information:
or call Sue Lister, AWOC York
Coordinator, on 01904 488870
AWOC LEEDS
The Leeds group has been meeting since 2014 and has focussed primarily on organising information sessions on topics relevant to people who are AWOC. The volunteer steering group also works with local service providers to raise awareness and educate about best practices.
Since March 2020, we have shifted our attention to meeting online to discuss issues that are important to us and offer each other support. Please check out our Facebook group at facebook.com/groups/awocleeds or get in touch at awocleeds@gmail.com
AWOC BRADFORD
We are a local group that meets the third Wednesday of the month 2 – 4pm at:
Equality Together, Manningham Mills, BD9 5BD
The group is open to all those ageing without children; this includes:
· Those without children
· Those whose children live far away
· Those who are estranged from their children
We also welcome organisations that wish to work positively with those ageing without children.
For more information please contact Rachel on
positivemindsbradford@gmail.com or phone 07742 521 787 or
AWOC EAST KENT
Founded in 2022, AWOC East Kent covers the Kent districts of Ashford, Canterbury, Dover, Folkestone & Hythe and Thanet.
Our meetings are currently held
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monthly at Asda Canterbury on a Wednesday afternoon
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quarterly in Hythe on a Tuesday morning
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every other month online on a Wednesday at 7pm.
In 2024, we hope to add quarterly meetings in Dover/Deal and Tenderden/Ashford.
We produce a monthly email newsletter and tweet at @AWOCEastKent.
We are actively seeking new members, including volunteers to help publicise and organise our meetings. We are run by and for those who are ageing without children. We welcome members who live both inside and outside our five districts. Our meetings are open only to people who are AWOC but others are welcome to receive our newsletter.
We welcome opportunities to deepen contacts with relevant local stakeholder groups and have stalls at relevant local events. We are also keen to support the creation of new AWOC groups elsewhere in Kent.
Please contact us at awoceastkent@gmail.com for details of meetings, to join our mailing list, offers of help and any other queries, and follow us on Twitter at @AWOCEastKent.
AWOC Dorset
The Dorset group have been meeting since October 2021. We welcome all AWOC people to attend our zoom meetings and social events held around the county.
Our aim is primarily peer support and sign-posting to anyone ageing without children in Dorset, a predominantly rural county with an increasing elderly population. The geography and poor transport links can contribute to many AWOC individuals feeling both lonely and isolated. We want to reach, understand and support AWOC individuals.
Members can be ageing without children either by circumstances, choice, medical reasons, estrangement or any other reason. Our long term aim is to raise awareness of the issues faced by people ageing without children.
Get in touch at awocdorset@gmail.com or find AWOC Dorset on Facebook
AWOC Hastings
The Hastings Group has been meeting since March 2022. Our principal aims are to organise information sessions and information sharing, relevant to people who are AWOC.
We engage with existing Hastings community groups and promote their services and activities in our open meetings. Meetings are scheduled every 6 weeks. Being a very new group, we have an informal structure and welcome all AWOC people to attend our locally advertised meetings. Our focus develops as our members increase.
Contact awochastings@gmail.com"