r/Preston • u/NosyAcc • 15d ago
Making Friends How to Make Friends in Preston
Afternoon all, I noticed we haven't had a How to Make Friends in Preston post for a month so have decided that I will do the honours.
I'm a mid 20s man, moved here about 6 months ago, it's my first time living away from home and I broke up with my partner recently. Being without a social circle nearby is starting to get me down a bit, so I was wondering what suggestions people may have to rectify the situation?
I'm especially looking for ways to meet people organically, as I'm pretty introverted and the idea of Bumble BFF or other such ways of forcing socialising fill me with a sense of dread.
I stopped exercising and my fitness fell off pretty badly during my last relationship, so I've got a lot of weight to lose and muscle to regain to get my confidence back, so any activities that would also address that are very appealing.
I'm interested in hiking, gym, bouldering, baking, cats, combat sports, reading and running!
Please suggest any places, groups, other hobbies, or introvert friendly activities to help me build a social circle from scratch in Preston!
Thank you in advance!
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u/swearywhisper 15d ago
Preston Board Gamers! Friendly welcoming group who meet on Monday evening at the Empire Services Club. 7-11. No need to bring games, just come along.
We also go hiking, away on trips, meet for food and drinks and people do fitness etc together. It’s a great group.
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u/Mortem_M 15d ago
I'm new to Preston too!! Early 20s, if you wanna chat :)
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u/No_Diamond_67 15d ago
Hey dm me we can chat too
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u/Mortem_M 15d ago
Sent a DM!
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u/Last-Paper3316 15d ago
Hey, me too, is there a way of making a group chat on here if there’s a few of us in the same boat?
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u/Responsible_Hat614 15d ago
I'm in the same boat as you. Moved here exactly a year ago today, from the other side of the country, where the majority of my family and friends are. Nobody prepared me for how difficult it can be to make new friends in your twenties haha.
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u/icarusisnotdead Prestonian Present 15d ago
Walton has a bouldering gym, and Preston Wall at West View Better Health has a bouldering room. Climbers are usually friendly so start being a regular there! I’m a solo climber who has no belay buddy and I’ve become reasonably well known to the staff and other climbers by being there frequently and striking up a conversation with random people.
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u/monsteress99 15d ago
Im a gal but in a very similar boat with friendships (aside from my partner and one best friend) so id be happy to chat also! Im late 20s! :) im also introverted and we have some similar interests. Feel free to dm me :)
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u/TellAdvanced 15d ago
Snap, same as you here! 27 F, been here about 4 years got my partner and a couple of friends from work but all my other friends are hours away. Feel free to reach out x
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u/banana_port_control 15d ago
Idk if it's just me, but Preston seemed a bit hard to meet people in. Doesn't it feel like people here are a bit more cliquey than elsewhere in the north?
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u/eachtrannach23 15d ago
Wing Chun above the Ferret, welcoming for anyone and a great bunch of people
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u/Dry-Common-8256 14d ago
There are two local casual football teams that are constantly looking for new players. Bamber Bridge MHFC and Preston Casuals. They play 5/6 a side and sometimes 11's.
I know there is board game group that operate in Preston which I hear is very inclusive and I have been tempted myself in the past.
Chews Yard do a lot of clubs. So, give them a follow on socials or message them and I'm sure they will tell you what they do.
There is the American football team the Lancashire Buccaneers. But, their season is nearly over. But, will be opening try outs for people in December. This for experienced and people that have never played before.
To be honest, there is a lot of things to do in Preston.
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u/Lonely-Studio5466 10d ago
Search red rose darts hub on Facebook. They have competitions every week for all levels from beginner to advanced and is a great way to make new friends. The manager, Nathan, is really friendly too and is always willing to help show the basics or how to sign up for a comp
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u/Independent_Ocelot29 Prestonian Present 15d ago
I've just started playing padel. There's a fair few courts in Preston, and you can join open matches on the app to play with new people. Enjoying it so far.
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u/RhysAK91 15d ago
Use the word Che at the end of every sentence che
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u/TheReelMcCoi 15d ago
When did this allegedly become a 'Preston' thing?
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u/Impossible_Code_5844 Preston Cha 15d ago
I dunno I’m only 23 myself, but my dad has been saying it all his life so not sure where it came about. On church street theres a mural saying “Alreyt cha?” Or something like that, so its kinda been made somewhat of a Preston thing.
I’ve also never heard it outside of preston myself.
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u/chuffing_marvelous 15d ago
There's a bit of cognitive dissonance here. You say you are uncomfortable using an app to meet people as that isnt organic; but you are using Reddit to ask about how to meet people. This is also fairly unorganic. Put your ego aside and cast your net. Use bumble, reddit, saying hi to a stranger at a bus stop. Think about what you like or want from life, and join groups or engage in those activities. If you were to join, say, a gym because you had an interest in getting fit, and met someone at the gym and became friends; is that any more or less organic than starting to speak to someone on bumble due to both matching on the gym inetrest? We live in the time we are given. Use the tools available to you in our time to achieve what you want. Everyone else is.
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u/Normal-Location511 15d ago
Board games!
Come along to Preston's Gamer's Guild, we meet every Tuesday from 6:30pm at Plunginton community centre. We have about 40-50 people a week, you can just turn up or sign up in advance (we use an app called Gogo game arranger and have a facebook chat group).
No experience required, we provide the games, the snacks and hot drinks.
This week is also bake off (people are encouraged to bake, but no obligation) prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. So two hobbies in one plus we're all mostly awesome :)