Together on our own: Lancaster & Morecambe u3a's MOTO group
Lancaster & Morecambe u3a member Pauline leads a 'MOTO' group which connects together members on their own for weekly socials, and to do one-off activities with others. She talks about how the group works and how it enables members to make new friendships.
How a MOTO group works
MOTO (Members On Their Own) started in late February 2022, and has steadily grown since then. The membership of the group hovers around 100.
We are a relaxed, member-driven group of individuals on their own - some are bereaved, some divorced, some are single by choice, and some have partners who cannot or do not want to socialise. All are people who want company occasionally. Some folk are regulars, and form a solid friendship group, with some meeting up independently. Others only come occasionally, and others tell me they can’t come but want to get my weekly emails as it keeps them informed, and they know if they need a lifeline we are there. This group provides a way of finding a new community for those on their own.
Sunday socialising
Most Sunday afternoons we have a ‘drop-in’, [attendance not compulsory!], alternately in Lancaster and Morecambe areas, sometimes in a nearby village. Sunday afternoons can be challenging for folk on their own - everyone else seems to be with friends or family. MOTO provides an easy casual way of getting company, a chat, a reason for some to get dressed.
Facilitating friendships
We have other ‘happenings’ and gatherings as members suggest, and sometimes organise, ways in which they would like to meet and enjoy company. So far members have linked up for cinema, theatre and concert visits, dog walking, a garden party and several lunches! We welcome all suggestions - if a member wants to arrange something we will circulate the information for them.
For those with Smartphones we have a WhatsApp group that enables members to contact each other spontaneously without waiting for our facilitators to pass on messages.
It is all very relaxed and friendly, and our facilitators, Pauline, Sue and Ruth, strive to enable members to enjoy meeting new friends. There is no longer a need to do everything on your own – other members might like to join you. No-one is a stranger – just friends you haven’t met yet.