How on earth can you keep a retired father busy?
Posted by sweetpotatoeater@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 122 comments
What options are out there to keep older folk in the UK busy? Are there things we can help our parents sign up to?
For context, my dad is nearly 70 and loves being busy. So much that he retired but then decided to start a small business then get another job. He's stopped both of those now, so spends majority of his time doing DIY around the house. There's not much to really do to be honest, so it's a sort of "if you're a hammer, everything you see is a nail" type of DIY. We usually let him be, but problem is, he ended up throwing away a few sentimental items of mine because he was too eager to get rid of "junk". Not the first time unfortunately.
Besides this, he doesn't really have friends and is often against trying something new if it's not business-y related. I've tried to get him into golf but I don't think that's stuck yet.
How on earth do you help keep someone like this busy? What's available in the UK for this?
MeasurementFew4314@reddit
My old man joined the local bowling club. It has been the centre of his social life for the last 10-15y
Ok-Future9384@reddit
Get him a dog
twentiethcenturyduck@reddit
Parish Council or Parish Clerk, Men’s Shed, Community Shop, Allotment, Village Hall, Singing, Independent review of small charity accounts (doesn’t need
a formal qualification).
dougiedonut_uk@reddit
He should look into becoming a school governor.
Or possibly a magistrate
Least_Temperature_23@reddit
There’s an age limit on magistrates, unfortunately. My friend’s father was one, but had to retire.
Ashamed-Assumption12@reddit
Sounds like my inlaws. All my MiL wants to do is sit and watch TV all day. My FiL is going mad with boredom. The highlight of his day is walking my dog.
I've tried getting him into gardening but he won't water plants because they're on a water meter and his water butt has already depleted. We're in the SE.
Suggested walking groups but because MiL won't go, he won't leave her. He tries to get her out for a short walk but she won't go to parks or anything as she's scared of dogs and just complains it's "boring".
He loves a jigsaw but even then MiL just says it's boring.
It's maddening.
Infamous-Ordinary-39@reddit
Volunteer at his local non/low league football/rugby club or parkrun.
My 84yo father volunteers at the football club he supports, every Wednesday on and off season.
YragNitram1956@reddit
Try these.
Plastic_Doughnut_911@reddit
If he drives, he could look for the local community transport hubs - taking people to medical appointments etc (he’ll get mileage allowance). He gets to choose which jobs he takes so he doesn’t have to be swamped with it or travel too far.
There’s also U3A.
Our local are has a “furniture shop” that has volunteers doing up donated furniture to be re-sold.
Plasticman328@reddit
Volunteer at a heritage railway. There'll be all sorts of jobs that need doing.
FitSolution2882@reddit
Get him involved in golf or local ccommittees of sorts.
Old men love that bollocks
OutdoorApplause@reddit
Our "Friends of [Local Park]" group is always after volunteers to run the park tea shop and do gardening/landscaping/putting up bird boxes etc.
StairliftForGlokta@reddit
I work in a public archive, and we have a waiting list of people wanting to volunteer to catalogue archive collections for a couple of hours a week. Maybe contact your local archive, see if they're doing something similar?
Apprehensive_Ad4172@reddit
My dad got himself a job with a local English heritage place in the education department. It basically entailed him dressing up as a Viking/Saxon/WW2 farmer/Victorian butler and working with school groups. He then added pantomime dame and Father Christmas to his repertoire. Then he got himself signed up with an acting agency as an extra, and has been in all sorts of things.
gherkinassassin@reddit
Conservation volunteering!
He'll meet loads of people, pick up some new skills and the work he does will directly contribute to making the world a better place
badger906@reddit
My dad recently retired. He was a plumber, electrician and heating engineer, man is an epic grafter. Will just work and work. He’s taken to making modern designer benches for homes. But he also goes shooting and fishing a lot.
yourefunny@reddit
If he worked in finance I'm guessing he has a fair bit saved up. My dad is mid 70s and keeps busy with property. Owns a commercial property he rents out and also a couple of derelict properties he is working on for investments. Meeting with architects getting planning permission for a new development etc.
Capital-Transition-5@reddit
My mum took early retirement and was a workaholic. She doesn't have many friends either. She keeps busy by looking after the house, looking after her high maintenance dog (a chorkie will keep you very busy 🙃), gardening, and a part time exam invigilation job.
0rlan@reddit
Buy him a metal detector!
Jolly-Outside6073@reddit
Don’t do this as you need a licence to use it outside your own land.
0rlan@reddit
Not even close to true... You DO still need landowner permission to use on private land and beaches are fair game for all but definitely no licence needed
If you're talking about the old 'Pipe Finder' licence (the old UK requirement for detector users to have a licence), that was abolished 46 years ago in 1980.
I'm now that old I remember having one as a teenager, and iirc it only cost £1
For info: Before 1980, metal detectors came under the Wireless Telegraphy Act because detectors emitted radio signals (sort of), and users needed a licence from the Post Office. The licensing requirement was removed when the regulations changed
ReallySmallFeet@reddit
He could also get a license?
Jolly-Outside6073@reddit
True. But do that first.
Dishtothefish@reddit
You've said he likes wildlife, my dad does alot of birdwatching, there are groups and stuff he could join if he wants. It seems to be quite social, my dad travels around our area alot to find the next rare tweet.
Beginning_Bet_4383@reddit
My dad, a similar age:
Is a charity trustee for a few charities - they love someone with a financial background
Does the tax returns for a few small businesses and dispenses general advice to them - he charges a very small fee for this because he got overrun with demand and the fee puts a few folk off
Adopts people - he met an elderly lady on the bus who was stressed about her family and her will, he counselled them all and took her to see her lawyer to help her communicate her wishes.
There is a huge market for handyman stuff so I'd he wanted to do something small for extra money, that would work well for him
wetdolldesire@reddit
have him volunteer somewhere local
sparky750@reddit
Might not be an option for you but I employed my dad after retirement things like going to the wholesalers taking cars/vans for mot, servicing (he'd usually do this himself) basically all the running around jobs. He was far and away the worst employee I ever had 😂😂😂😂 the lads loved him he'd turn up to a job and say things like "wow you've done well here lads come on breakfast is on the firm " 🤦♂️ it's fucking 08:30 dad the lads have been there 30 fucking minutes and the firms skint because we're chasing payments 🤦♂️😂 it drove me up the wall but it kept him busy with a circle of "friends" bantering back and fourth which generally meant taking the piss out of me 🫣😂. I also bought a cheap knackered 4x4 as a fixer upper and he'd work on that at times. I genuinely miss those times now he's gone but I like to think keeping him busy gave him extra years because I believe as men like sharks have to keep swimming we have to stay useful
court996@reddit
Well I am 74 and was terrified of retirement. I finally gave in and luckily have quite a few interests, mainly diy, as I have done 4 serious do-er uppers without using trades (I was at senior level Commercial Construction so wouldn’t trust domestic cowboys). However, I decided to learn guitar as I foolishly gave up after about 5 minutes when I was a student. Now I have the time but found that after a couple of years once the finger pain phase was over, I have acquired 3 amps, a large 4x12 speaker cab and 4 guitars. I still suck but I reckon another new guitar might just transform my skilz. Now I don’t have time to finish the 1966 Lambretta SX200 renovation nor the restoration of the 1970 Bultaco Sherpa T sitting in the garage.
ChrisInTyneside@reddit
Volunteering? Maybe a men's pie club?
jizzyjugsjohnson@reddit
Is this a sex thing?
kraftymiles@reddit
My local rugby club have a range of events for blokes like him. Walking rugby one day, newspaper and coffee one day, volunteering to fix up the clubhouse one day, volunteering in the community. Another day, etc. Have a look at some clubs like that round tour way maybe?
innerbrat@reddit
I skimmed the comments to see what was missing and to get an idea of what your dad likes:
buy him a camera - a second hand DSLR from CEX or LCE and turn him loose in your local wildlife reserves. If you're lucky he'll be out of the house by 6am every day and will spend the rest of his day on his laptop and napping.
you live at home, so lean on your siblings to keep ASKING him for help. My dad is in his 80s and my sister and I keep him busy by calling or facetiming him to get him to talk us through DIY. "Which wall plug do I need here again?" "Can I borrow your drill?" Etc. Uses his diy brain without continually messing with your own house.
airfix / revell kits! Still available in places like hobbycraft. Easy to start, and the standard you can achieve after practice is extraordinary.
Eyupmeduck1989@reddit
U3A (the university of the third age). I was really worried about my dad when he retired but he’s got really into the local history and beer groups!
BG3restart@reddit
I joined the U3A when I was 60, having already been retired for 5 years and I thought I had a good social life through MeetUp. Since joining I barely have time to do the laundry because there's so much going on. I didn't join the branch in my home town, but chose the branch in a neighbouring town because it is much more active with the kinds of activities I enjoy.
Own_Housing_7357@reddit
In our turn there are 80+ groups in our U3A ranging from physical activities like hiking, to language groups, to craft, to various sports to try something new groups. People from all backgrounds from age around 55 up.
Normal-Height-8577@reddit
My mum was doing a couple of language groups with the U3A before she decided she'd stick to handbell ringing!
fimur@reddit
Yes! There’s something for everyone. My mum attends many groups through the U3A and has made some lovely friends.
PetersMapProject@reddit
Wildcard suggestion: would be like to learn to fly?
Gliding is an aviation sport which has a lot of people of his age learning with no prior experience. It's also volunteer run - even the instructors are volunteers - so there's always lots of ground based activities, including maintenance, to do too.
https://www.gliding.co.uk/
PetersMapProject@reddit
Does he like dogs? He's at the perfect time of life to adopt one.
Nice_Back_9977@reddit
Sounds like he'd be a great fit for one of those repair sheds/clubs where people bring broken stuff for handy retired men to fix for them for free. As a bonus the handy retired men get to spend time with each other talking about carpentry and power tools.
Weak-You-9062@reddit
Similar to this, my retired father did REMAP, which is essentially a group of retired old duffers who take on small projects to make bespoke or customised items for people with disabilities where nothing currently exists on the market. Kept him occupied for years - REMAP
Technical_Front_8046@reddit
Age UK do “men in sheds” it’s like a group that meet weekly and make things (mainly wood work). For some it’s to keep them busy and others it’s the social contact etc.
Really good scheme to be fair. A mate who is in his 40s went through a divorce and became an alcoholic. The support of the group and engagement helped him quit the alcohol.
Many had spun further smaller groups off from it and would arrange to have bbqs etc. and play bowls/dominos/snooker etc. on other nights of the week.
Own-Complaint-4144@reddit
This is a great idea.
OnmipotentPlatypus@reddit
Depends where he is, but volunteer lock keeper for the CRT.
OliOk@reddit
Golf?
ThriceNightly_Whitey@reddit
Local wildlife Trust, always want volunteers, year round, if he's handy, likes a brew, it's a great port of call. There's a few big weekend jobs they do and if there's grandkids around, it can be a family day. People end up going relatively regularly, and it becomes social as well as voluntary.
nfyofluflyfkh@reddit
Trustee / Non-Executive Director for any number of charities and companies, unpaid usually for charities and often paid quite well for NEDs of commercial companies. Finance experience often in demand. Each one can take up a few days a month max. Also financial/business mentoring. Local chamber of commerce. Etc.
Ravvick@reddit
Are there any bowls clubs where you live? My dad’s a little older than yours (79), and I started taking him to our local indoor bowls club once a week a couple of years ago.
It’s a great game to play, the other players are all very friendly and welcoming. If he likes it, he wild find it easy to join a team and enjoy the social side of it.
CarlGB@reddit
Project car
FrugalGuy007@reddit
Ham radio!
As I approached my mid-50’s, I intentionally started looking for hobbies that attracted older guys with their marbles still intact.
Amateurs radio fit the bill perfectly. Engineering, DIY, lots to learn, compatible mates to do it with.
UK is really ramping up on MeshCore as well, which is unlicensed off grid radios for text-based comms. Works when the power, internet, and cell phones are all out.
33backagain@reddit
Fishing or bowling? Lots of old guys doing stuff like that.
Solid_Bodybuilder_89@reddit
What did he do for a living / what are his hobbies?
There are plenty of charities that want volunteers to help repair furniture donations etc, so they can sell them.
Or there are local groups that need volunteers to help do other repairs.
It's also a good way for him to socialise.
You could also get him into going on dates, if he is single.
sweetpotatoeater@reddit (OP)
He's worked in finance/banking his whole life but always has an interest in DIY, wildlife, history. He's not so good with people. Will have a look around for charities
Arbdew@reddit
My Dad worked in finance and banking too, and volunteered with citizens advice to help people filling in forms to get benefits, but mostly to stop interest on loans that they couldn't repay. One of his chums volunteered at a local literacy and numeracy course to help people with that. Both took to it as if it was a full time job and it really gave them a much needed outlet.
Solid_Bodybuilder_89@reddit
He could do what my dads friend does, get him to buy a van and convert it into a mobile home.
He can then either use it for holidays, or sell it on.
My dad's friend is 77 and still does it.
EldritchCleavage@reddit
He could be a charity trustee, especially with a background in finance. The smaller charities always need people.
U3A has a wealth of groups to join and courses to do, from ancient history to walking football.
A while ago, I would have suggested learning cuneiform to help the British Museum trans late their thousands of Babylonian tablets. Apparently AI is now being used instead, so there goes my dream future retirement hobby.
There’s always prison visiting.
jay19903562@reddit
There's nothing else for it you need to have a kid and make him a grandad. That'll keep him busy.
sweetpotatoeater@reddit (OP)
Still many many years away from that as much as they try to push me. Think I'll put that pressure on my older siblings first : P
jay19903562@reddit
Oh as soon as my sister had kids my parents stopped their incessant hint dropping shout grandkids to me.
In all seriousness though heritage railways are a great volunteering opportunity and as they largely run as businesses he could really put his business skills to use. But also there's loads of physical jobs for those that are adept at DIY.
Odd-Currency5195@reddit
I think they just need to keep working. If your body's not been knackered by your job (like 40 years down the mines and then drop dead at 56) and you've got a brain.
Get him volunteering or something. He'll be running a local charity within 6 months.
Source: My partner is 70 and runs his own business with a guy in his 50s and I cannot on this planet imagine him not being involved in it all until he's missing a couple of arms and legs and even then.... He runs it from 9.00 until 6.00 five days a week with a two hour lunch break (one of which hours is a huge nap).
I am a bit younger and don't hit retirement age for a while so this is fine. But I would hate to ever spend a day with him when he's not doing his job/work/business.
ffordeffanatic@reddit
Could try to get him an allotment.
KimonoCathy@reddit
Bowls - a physically gentler sport that requires judgment and accuracy more than speed. Volunteering for the National Trust or similar - they need volunteers for backroom stuff like occasional wall-building and repairs, not just visitor guides.
waves-upon-waves@reddit
Beyond keeping him busy, remove anything sentimental to you (that belongs to you) from their home. Then there’s no danger of him accidentally (or purposefully) throwing it away.
Hairy_Safety_2151@reddit
Sounds like he values himself through work or being busy to achieve his own validation....its a hard habit to break.Does he like outdoors pursuits. Fishing/allotment/gardening/greenhouse....maybe a dog to walk.....gym/cycling....traveling.....I was lost for ages when I stopped working. It's finding a purpose/interest....good luck...ps not a people person either....don't mind the pub though and a game of darts/pool.
FarOutcome2116@reddit
Museums usually like knowledgable volunteers! Gives also a sense of responsibility
gottaloveteatime@reddit
sweetpotatoeater@reddit (OP)
What's a NED? And great idea on the regular club. I think he'd love a history one
gottaloveteatime@reddit
Also, adding on to this, for things like history (and other) clubs, If there isn't one, you can always set one up.
My dad loves history, but there wasn't a history club locally to him (and he can no longer drive), so he set one up. It has a total of 3 members (including him), but he loves it. Gives him so much to focus on as he plans the meetings, gets the refreshments etc.
In the few years it's been running, they have published a book on local history (mainly photos of what the town has looked like over the years), and he also does the occasional talk on local history in local schools.
sweetpotatoeater@reddit (OP)
absolutely fantastic idea
gottaloveteatime@reddit
A non executive director
Pristine_Shower3771@reddit
Volunteering ! I work in nature conservation and retirees are often the back bone of the sector. They've delivered many of my projects as volunteers. I've had people on their 70s and 80s planting hedges on hillsides and they've made friends and kept in contact afterwards. Look at wildlife trust, national trust , CPRE. Doesn't have to be physical volunteering either.
Pristine_Shower3771@reddit
Genuinely , the nature conservation sector is always short on resources and staff and volunteers really help plug that gap.
EscapeTheSecondAttac@reddit
My dad’s learning the guitar (I don’t live at home so I see it on occasion) and he really enjoys that. Prior to this, I didn’t realise he even wanted to learn and instrument
bobbingblondie@reddit
I keep my father busy by supplying him with endless DIY jobs in my house, and my mother busy by organising him to do the jobs 🤣
In all seriousness though my Dad took up a new hobby after he retired. Something he had always wanted to do, but never had time to when he was working full time. It resulted in him joining a club and making new friends.
These_Objective_3953@reddit
What does he like to do apart from DIY? Could he join a ramblers group? Volunteer on the clean up of canals if he lives near one?
sweetpotatoeater@reddit (OP)
I've never heard of ramblers, I had to look that up. He does love a big walk! He's a huge fan of doing his 10k steps in the morning all in one go
Inevitable_Bid8719@reddit
Ramblers are an awesome group, I've joined recently. There is also foraging groups, it's much more expensive but you get skills from it and leads to ways of spending time and appreciating nature and food. 'Men in sheds' is a club/ charity thing near me, he sounds like he could fit right in there
Chunkylover0053@reddit
local council (hertfordshire) here run “health walks”. it used to be a uk wide initiative but dwindled out in a lot of places. check if your area has them, and then our area are always looking for walk leaders. one of the shorter walks i do (4 miles) is led by an 85 year old man.
on these walks i learnt of a hell of a lot of other organisations set up for retired people wanting to do stuff. one if the orgs around here has over 200 groups from pickle ball, learning new languages, fast walking (keeping a pace of 4mph), philosophy, talks on all sorts of stuff for a £15 annual membership!
CrowApprehensive204@reddit
Tell him to volunteer, there are so many people who would be grateful for his help and advice
Hairy_Safety_2151@reddit
Have you asked him what he might like to do??.
sweetpotatoeater@reddit (OP)
Many a times!! And never a clear answer because he doesn't know anything outside of work. And for personal reasons, work isn't an option anymore.
TheatrePlode@reddit
My Dad is a like this, though he has yet to retire, but he works reduced hours and can get up to all sorts in his down time.
I'm planning on finding an old banger of a car for him when he does retire- he just enjoys fixing things- so he can tinker away at that. I also periodically buy him models to put together, the more intricate the better. My Mum wasn't convinced at first until he did just a Lego set and it kept him busy for a while, she's even started getting them for him.
A lot of it is needing to feel some form of accomplishment and reaching a goal, thats why sports and games might not scratch that itch for him- my Dad despises any type of sport for this reason, he doesn't see just getting better at something as an achievement, he likes to hold something in his hands or have something he can point at.
Try looking around for activities like that, that will give him something physical to be proud of it.
sweetpotatoeater@reddit (OP)
You got me thinking, I feel like I've heard people build their own cars? I know my manager has done that in the past with a kit of sorts. My dad won't be a fan of those smaller lego models, but a bigger, functional DIY project? Might be right up his alley
TheatrePlode@reddit
Yeah mine is trying to do all the DIY in my house too, luckily my house needs doing up anyway, but that will run out eventually to!
sweetpotatoeater@reddit (OP)
Happens quicker than you expect! My dad has done some amazing renovations in the past, but lately has taken to repainting our oak garden fence a grey colour. Couldn't really tell you why.
Plenty_Suspect_3446@reddit
Yes be careful with DIY, my grandad was a decorator and when he was supposed to be wallpapering my parents bedroom in a day he decided he would first move the location of a window to get more sun in the room. Instead of coming home to fresh wallpaper, they arrived to a building site. Grandad did fix it all in a few days and the new window did allow for more light and he did excellent work on the wallpaper. I'm just saying be clear on the job and don't leave him entirely unsupervised.
Golf was a good idea but it does require friends because for my retired uncle the golf is only part of a social experience. The drink and the lunch after is as much as playing 9 holes.
Another retired uncle helps his wife with her bakery business and has thrown his time into an allotment.
An allotment might be good for your dad. Keeps them busy with the seasons and the weather. They feel the progress made with every thing grown. Someone else on the allotments always has a job on the go that needs a helping hand, like rebuilding a shed or a chicken coop.
If he was ever part of a sporting club they always need volunteers. Another grandad of mine played cricket in his youth and spent his retirement managing the club grounds. They had the best grass in the league and all around the boundary were roses growing.
Fern-Brooks@reddit
If he likes working with his hands, might be worth looking into volunteering? Could work on a heritage railway or at a national trust site, something of that nature
Novel-Case6821@reddit
Canal network if one is nearby, DIY skills would be useful there.
Brewer6066@reddit
You’re not truly retired until you’re driving a miniature train at a kids attraction.
Own_Yak382@reddit
Buy him a Lego set, he’ll soon get addicted to it
Isgortio@reddit
My dad spends most of his time playing golf, including charity matches.
ChemicalCustomer5938@reddit
Gardening
oxfordjrr@reddit
Since he’s a bit averse to new things, I’d look up local volunteer groups/social clubs and make out like your going along for yourself but want him to come for moral support. Personally, I work part time and fill up the rest of my time being on the committee of my local WI and playing baritone in the town brass band (I couldn’t read music or play a note before I joined but they gave me free lessons)
Free-Monkee@reddit
Getting involved with The Conservation Volunteers (AKA The British Trust for Conservation Volunteers BTCV) is a very constructive and rewarding way to spend your time.
Historical_Heron4801@reddit
My local am dram group is always looking for non-acting roles, set build/design, etc. Recent conundrums have included: how to get a beanstalk to grow centre-stage, how to give the appearance of a pumpkin turning into a carriage that someone could get into, and how to create a talking mirror. Then there's sound and lighting, something always needs to be built or fixed.
DameKumquat@reddit
Leading walks locally, getting involved in local charities and groups - if he's got business skills there's small charities who would love him.
National Trust need all sorts of volunteers, too.
LowParticular2253@reddit
Would he be able to be a teacher in a technical school?
If not, to join a class like joinery, plumbing?
Interesting-Day-7614@reddit
Large motorbike or small cat.
chez2202@reddit
Do you live with your father?
I’m asking because you said that he threw away some sentimental items of yours believing it was junk.
If you want your father to have hobbies, golf isn’t the answer. Not only does he need someone else to play golf with, it’s also really boring.
If he’s interested in DIY, why not buy him a load of wood and suggest he builds bird houses for the RSPB? There are plenty of online guides for them and he could hammer away happily and raise money for the charity by selling them.
awkwardonionat77@reddit
My dads the same. He’s completely lost since retiring as an electrician. It was his purpose. Someone mentioned to me about him maybe volunteering in a college. He’s slow, but meticulous which would probably be ideal for that environment but he’s just in a pit at the minute and won’t consider anything that isn’t lying on his settee watching stuff about world war 2 on YouTube. But it might be an idea for your dad.
sweetpotatoeater@reddit (OP)
My dad's similar but without the noise cancelling headphones. He likes to play his AI voiceover videos on full blast and you can't tell him off. I'm just glad he isn't falling down a strange political rabbit hole.
We've got a few colleges nearby us, I'll have a look and see. Thank you
No-Calligrapher-7415@reddit
Do you have a heritage railway near you? They are always looking for people to helpout
Gotham10k@reddit
Download the Merlin app, records birdsong & identifies them, then you save to a list. Gets you out the house & exploring, like a real life Pokemon
SuperflyUK1@reddit
Check out 'u3a', its a community for retirees. My parents do a bunch of different activities through their local branch.
smelliepoo@reddit
Join a local theatre group- if he is not into going on stage, they are always after set builders and prop makers, so if he is good with his hands it might be good. Men's shed and U3A Are also good ideas.
Rusty_Tap@reddit
Have you tried getting him to be fiercely competitive with a rival dad who lives nearby?
Every time you go and see him just drop a tiny comment about the neighbours rhododendron looking incredible and that'll keep him busy for days, possibly weeks. Kept my grandfather busy for nigh on 50 years.
Then when his rhodedendrons are enormous and bees attend from miles around, it's time to mention at-home cottage industry, and how local honey production.
exkingzog@reddit
Bees + rhododendrons -> “mad honey”
Rusty_Tap@reddit
This is not necessarily a bad thing.
Spreakib@reddit
Bowls, dominos, walking clubs, there's many social websites for old people. DIY projects, perhaps get into watchmaking etc. Socially i'd say the internet is by far the best, you can talk to people 24/7 on there.
Short-Shopping3197@reddit
The answer is Warhammer.
Historical-Limit8438@reddit
Mind near me has a furniture recycling shop. Maybe yours does and he could volunteer there?
cheeseismyname@reddit
Google the Men in Sheds alliance it's a fantastic network
becca413g@reddit
Men’s shed, volunteering, walking groups
Usual-Sound-2962@reddit
Volunteering! My Nana’s care home have a crop of older gentlemen who aren’t residents but come along a couple of times a week to tend the garden. My neighbours are both retired, one volunteers at the food bank and the other runs the community kitchen for over 65s.
I’d do some enquires on a local Facebook group there’s bound to be a number of organisations that could make use of someone who’s good at working with their hands and has time to spare!
Tashimo@reddit
I think there is a men’s shed near me. They all meet up learn how to build something together or build like flower boxes for the village etc. I think there are other ones as well.
wizard710@reddit
Do you have something like a "men's shed" nearby? They do all the handiwork in our village.
Kickkickkarl@reddit
I was once told that people who do nothing after retirement usually die within 6 years. My dad is 71 and still actively working because he wants too. He also up at the crack of dawn and still makes lunch and goes to work building his self build house. Some people just don't want to stop..
jilljd38@reddit
Any miniature railways near him that he can volunteer at or engine museums or national trust places , or even local hospital/ hospice or scouts
MattWillGrant@reddit
Charities and social enterprises always need board members, and more active roles beyond that.
katie-kaboom@reddit
IF he enjoys DIY he may find doing a small amount of handyman work entertaining?
JS_AH@reddit
Could he mentor someone new to establishing a business? Lean into. His yesrs of wisdom and experience?
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