Activities Guide - Inspiration & Information to make the most of your "Me Time" 

Sport and Fitness	Food and Drink
Adult Education and Study	Volunteering
Crafts and Hobbies	Animals and Pets
Health and Well-Being	Outdoor Pursuits
Socialising and Special Interest Societies	Entertainment
Music and Performing Arts	Days Out

 

Sport and Fitness

Leisure Centres, Health and Fitness Clubs and Private Gyms all provide a range of sporting activities to keep your adrenalin pumping! How about a feisty hour of Body-Combat or Boxercise? Maybe you’d like to try a Team Sport – netball or football perhaps - or a twosome at badminton or tennis? Have you always wanted to learn archery, gymnastics, squash or rugby – why not join in with the local team to train with them? Either way, the activity providers in this section will leave you breathless with opportunities to get you lively!!  Search now >>>

Rose from Daventry:  "Well to start with for some reason I was feeling very scared about joining what is now my favourite past time. I would look through the window at all the people taking part in Body Combat which is a cross between aerobic/karate with high energy kicks and punches to music class. Well I went in eventually!! And now I am hooked. My husband has also started coming so it's really nice to have him with me too and I am having fun and losing weight all at the same time, along with meeting some really nice new people."

Celine Vaudeville from Uxbridge: "I have just started Zumba classes and love the music,the rythm and the fat burning factor! It is a new salsa based/ Latin rhythms and easy-to-follow moves but the fast pace makes it a brilliant calorie-burning excercises. Very energizing and fun!"

Anon: "I go to Netball training on a Tuesday evening (8-9.30pm).  I'm not in the team but train with the others who are on the local team, and they are extremely fit and train hard.  Some of them even play on the rugby team too - so that's the standard of fitness they aim for whilst we are all training!  The core fitness training involves repetition exercises such as sit-ups whilst passing the ball to each other, or running backwards (back-pedalling) then forwards over short distances - these are killers!!  Then the cardio fitness involves running around the court, zigzagging through the court, running whilst ball passing, star-jumps (make sure to go to the loo before-hand ladies!), side stepping, etc.  Then there's time for a twenty minute game at the end.  Its brilliant fun, you're always guaranteed to be belly-laughing at something - and a great way to keep fit!"

Sarah from Hampshire: "I really enjoy playing tennis with my sister.  It's great fun and a good way to catch up with each other as we both have busy lives.  We joined our local health club and try to play at least once a week. We use the indoor courts so even if it's raining, there is no excuse!  It's a fun way of keeping in shape and the more we play, the better we get although I don't think you'll see us at Wimbledon any time soon!"

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Adult Education and Study

With the many universities, colleges, private tutors and community organisations providing courses, it’s good to have one place where you can browse through a selection in your area, at the time that fits in with your busy week! In this section you will discover the wealth of courses on offer around your area, from Philosophy to Pottery, from Cookery to Commerce, from Homeopathy to Home DIY! So, why not check out what you could be learning in your free time? It doesn’t have to lead to a qualification, but then again, you may want another feather in your cap! Search now >>>

Joe from Peterlee: "Scuba - My dive club is http://www.aquanauts-divecentre.co.uk/ They taught me to dive to a "PADI open water standard" and arrange many dives on a weekly basis for both further education and fun. Their courses are excellent and mine was carried out over a number of weeks (distance learning). They are a great team with a great mix of FUN and of course the serious business of safety. It is a fantastic hobby and it has allowed me to see many amazing sites both home and abroad."

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Craft and Hobbies

Whether you want to meet likeminded model air-plane flyers, antiques collectors or join a photography group - you’ll find all the information you need about your local classes here. Maybe you’d like to explore your artistic abilities – fine art, watercolours, oil-painting? Or perhaps want to take a trip down Memory Lane with a historical event or join a museum-based group? Or maybe your hobby is on your back door step - why not get dirty in the garden or at the allotment and grow your own!  You'll find lots of ideas here and more! Search now >>>

Jacqueline from London: "We have a great time Gardening. Currently we are growing peas and strawberries as well as other vegetables for later in the season in pots and a small patch in the garden. My little boy (2 years) is a very enthusiastic gardener when it involves food and he dug up all the not quite ripe carrots this morning!"

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Health and Well-Being

We all need a little TLC occasionally, so explore the numerous activities related to gaining a healthy lifestyle. Whether it’s relaxing in a Beauty Spa, or enjoying Tai Chi in the Park. You might want complete silence so maybe meditation is for you, or perhaps you simply want to lose a few pounds at the local “fat club”!! And, if you really want to indulge, why not bring the Personal Trainer to you – you can work out the best way to shape up in the comfort of your own home!! Search now >>>

Anon: "To socialise and keep healthy I go swimming with a couple of friends once a week.  We started out by setting ourselves the goal of training for the 2010 Great North Mile - which is a one mile swim across Lake Windermere!  To our surprise, the first time we went swimming we swam 30 lengths, which is 1/2 mile!  We reached the full mile at the third session.  We're not entering the lake swim this year - to swim 64 lengths without a break is going to take more training that we thought!  But we still keep on swimming each week and who know, maybe we'll enter in 2011! "

Anon: "Well, this is not my favorite activity but it is an essential activity for me right now - especially after the holiday I've just had - it's Fat Club - WeightWatchers!  I'm joining on Thursday and I've not been to any kind of slimming group before so I don't know what to expect.  I'm actually a bit nervous if I'm honest - getting weighed in front of an audience, but funnily enough, my main worry is what to wear!! What do people wear for WeightWatchers??"

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Socialising and Special Interest Societies

From Speed-dating to Bird-watching, you’ll find all of your local special interest groups here! Have you fancied joining a Book Club, Film Club or Chess Club – then look no further – a local group is simply two clicks away! Maybe you’re a whiz at table games – Bridge?? Poker?? Scrabble?? Or perhaps you have a specialist interest in falconry or astronomy? In this section, you can be inspired by the information and groups in your area! Search now >>>

Barbara Jean from North Yorkshire: "My hobby and passion is entering competitions. I enter at least 300 per week, some of them only entailing writing my details on a postcard,email  entry form or on line website. As an avid 'comper' (that's the oficial name for our hobby) I also spend time searching for competitions in likely places such as supermarkets, cinemas libraries, etc. These can come in any shape or form. I also supscribe to a compers magazine which is called Simply Prizes. This gives details of current competitions to be entered either by post email phone or on the internet."

Mangla Sachdev from Hillingdon: "My favourite hobby is gift wrapping and gift organising.  I save at least £200-£300 a year compared to my siblings, cause I make and buy unique gifts on sale to be used throughout the year for birthdays, anniversaries and Christmas for my extended family, friends and my son's school friends and teachers.  I will group like items together to make a basket, or buy all the ingredients for a teenager's favourite brownie, with a special recipe file all wrapped in a fun cake tin.  It's a great hobby cause I'm always planning ahead for special occasions and am always on the lookout for interesting gifts and gift wrapping."

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Music and Performing Arts

Would like to tread the boards to release the budding Dramatist, Chorister or Comedian – be assured, the groups you thought were difficult to find are probably just around the corner! You may need some voice-coaching, but again – there’ll be several in your area! And, if you feel that you now have time to master that guitar or piano that has been gathering dust, then maybe a spot of private instrument tuition is all you need! Search now >>>

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Food and Drink

For vino-lovers - why not turn your hand to wine-making or even wine-tasting! Or if it’s food you fancy, why not grow your own, and get tips from the local gardening groups, maybe down at the allotments? Or if it’s food tasting, why not join a lunch club, or perhaps join a cookery group – you never know, you’re next step could be Come Dine With Me! Or perhaps a more sedate Dinner/Theatre group might satisfy two loves at once? For the fiery – chilli-eating and for the sweet-toothed, Jam-making – there’s something for everyone! Search now >>>

Anon from Bristol: "I joined a local community centre run Asian Cookery course and opened up a whole new range of cooking for me and my husband! We have fantastic nights in now rather than paying the prices in restaurants and it tastes much better too!  Our next step will be to grow our own veggies - then we'll really be self-sufficient!" 

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Volunteering

Many organisations rely on the generosity of the public and the hours that people “donate” to them. If you enjoy helping with animals, maybe you have a few hours to spare to help out at the RSPCA, the RSPB or local animal shelter. Or if you like to contribute with skill and organisation, how about event support through the St John’s Ambulance or maybe a more regimented role with the Territorial Army? Even your local Community Centre would welcome Volunteer Support, especially to raise funds – and they might even train you in the First Aid or Cooking Skills you would need!! Search now >>>

Angela Redhill from Yorke: "I am a Volunteer on the social and fundraising team at my local branch of  NCT (National Childbirth Trust).  I help out either with organising events or by being "hands on deck" on the day at local events.  I do this because I attended antenatal classes with NCT when pregnant with my first son and made a lot of "friends for life" as a result - we still meet up weekly now that our children are over 3!!  I enjoy the social side of my volunteering with the NCT and get to meet so many local people in particular by helping out with the Nearly New Sales and Summer events.  It means that I get to use my brain and get time away from the house/children but also it means I can help other parents/parents to be to be able to have the same positive experiences that I had on becoming a new mum.  My family all live over 200 miles away and if I didn't have the network of friends that I made with NCT then I fear I may not have had such a positive experience of parenthood.  It also gives me new challenges that I may never have considered taking up by myself - at present I am in training for the British 10k run in London in July!" 

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Animals and Pets

Whether its horses or hounds, birds or bees, there will be a group near you to help you get the best out of your pet. Many clubs now hold classes for grooming, showing and handling. Perhaps it’s puppy training or dog-breeding that you’d like to know more about, personal trainers to visit you or classes to attend?  All of these will be listed in this section. And, the events to “show” your proud pets will be listed here too!  And whether you’re looking in your own area or another the search facility will not be found “cat-napping”! Search now >>>

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Outdoor Pursuits

Paint-balling, Wind-surfing, Scuba diving, Orienteering – what is it that you’d like to pursue? Afraid of heights, tackle those fears with a Sky-dive, Abseil or Rock climbing group. Want to test your driving skills, why not Off-Roading, Go-karting or Motocross? Keep your feet on the ground with climbing, pot-holing or shooting? Or take to the skies in a Hot-air Balloon, a glider, or Pilot lessons! The world is truly your oyster – start searching for your life changing activity right here! Search now >>>

Susan from Clitheroe: "We have just become members of our local Kayak Club. This means for £10 for 3 hours on a Saturday we can have fun as a family splashing about and learning a new skill. I always think those that play together stay together."

Anon: "I love going to the beach for Body Boarding with the family.  We mainly go to Westward Ho! which is 15 minute drive from home here in North Devon!  The only cost is parking which is about £3.50 per day.  A fab day out for all!"

Susan from Clitheroe: "My favourite event of the year is camping at Dent, the last weekend in June. We camp with a huge group of friends and the free Dent Dale Festival is on the same weekend. (Shhh we don't want every one to know because the beauty of it is that it only takes about 300 people). The scenery in the quaint village of Dent is second to none. We partake in real ale good music water fights and general playful behaviour."

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Entertainment

TV, film, theatre, concerts...the choice of pure unadulterated entertainment to liven the senses is vast. Nothing beats a live show and even a long awaited trip to the cinema to see the latest blockbuster will take you to a different place and time. So contact your best friend, partner, mother, uncle or in fact anyone who you can share the show with!  Or maybe you want to follow your favourite Football or Rugby team and you want to get a group together - check out the local sporting events near you! Search now >>>

Margaret from Warrington: "My favourite pastime is watching Warrington Wolves Rugby Football League Team. It is a great family day out, at the moment the team are playing well and are 2nd in the Super league. Last year we had a trip to Wembley and won the Challenge Cup for the first time in 35 years. Perpignon is the home of the Catalan Dragons RLFC team and we will be taking a trip to France to watch the teams play, there is always a great party atmosphere in Perpignon."

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Days Out

Sedate country castles, thrill rides, museums, coastal events, galleries, and more!  Whatever type of day out you wish for is only moments away............! Search now >>>

Lisa King from Norfolk: "A picnic somewhere beautiful with my two children is a must during the summer, it's a chance for the kids to be able to run around freely without being worried. Many brill family picnic memories :)"

Kate from Yorkshire: "Geocaching is treasure-hunting with a GPS unit, sat nav or smart phone. There could be hundreds of geocaches (treasure boxes) hidden in your area, and the kids love it because they can take a small toy to swap. They will walk for miles - it's a fun way to stay healthy as a family! Go to www.geocaching.com and find wonderful new places to explore."

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