Social activities and groups for adults

Are you looking for a new group or activity to take part in, in your local area?

You can find a full directory of community groups and organisations (both council-run and otherwise) in Portsmouth on the HIVE directory. There is something for everyone. Activities include: adult learning, breakfast clubs, culture and faith groups, getting back to work, support for veterans, Men’s sheds, Chat over Chai, volunteering opportunities and much, much more. Search the HIVE directory.

Our council-run activities and social groups are listed on this page.

You can also follow the Portsmouth Community Activities Facebook page to keep up with the latest news and see photos from our council-run activities and groups.

The Carer’s Breaks cookery sessions bring together unpaid carers who want to make healthy, quick, and easy meals, while making friends in their local community.

As well as taking part, there’s also opportunities to volunteer and help run the sessions.

Cookery sessions are held at the Carers Centre, 117 Orchard Road, Southsea. The sessions are free, and run:

• Monday 10.30am-12.30pm
• Thursday 11am-1pm
• Friday 12-2pm

For more information, contact Jayne Gentle on 023 9284 1762 or email iwt@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

Chop, Cook, Chat teaches basic cooking skills to men aged 50+ who have had a change in circumstance such as a bereavement or becoming a carer.

It’s a great opportunity to meet other men in a similar situation as well as learning the skills needed to prepare healthy meals.

The cost of each session is £5, which includes refreshments, tasters and food to take home.

Our current Chop Cook Chat groups are:

For more information, contact on 023 9284 1762 or email the IWT team at iwt@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.

Portsmouth Community Allotment in Milton has four plots (with disabled access), two poly tunnels and a training pod. Since 2022, the allotment has provided a space for training, confidence building, volunteering opportunities, a therapeutic environment and a shared appreciation of growing things.

You can get involved in the community allotment yourself or be referred by a health or social care professional.

Community or school groups can access the allotment for visits and learning workshops too.

For more information, please email iwt@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or phone 023 9284 1762 or 07984 154 466.

The address of the allotment is: Milton Piece Allotments, Locksway Road, Milton PO4 8LF

Would you like to meet new people and make friends, but lack the confidence?

Our Community Connectors team could help. We can provide six-eight sessions to help you take the first steps to getting out into your local community.

We will meet with you and talk to you about your interests and what you would like to achieve, such as: taking up old interests, visiting a friend, attending a social group or activity class, using public transport etc., depending on what’s important to you. We’ll make sure that anything we put in place can keep going once your sessions have ended. We can signpost you to other agencies or resources if this is helpful.

We also hold friendly and informal Community Independence Workshops, which help people build their confidence in attending social groups and activities. Based at Southsea Library, the two-hour workshops are run over five consecutive weeks, in a small group facilitated by two Community Connectors.

The workshops will help build your confidence in the practical aspects of attending a social group or group of your interest, to explore different community opportunities and to then, with support from the facilitators, plan to attend a chosen group independently for the first time.

You will need to be able to get to the workshop venue without support from a Community Connector and be able to commit to all the workshops.

If you are interested in how the Community Connectors could help you, or someone you know, please get in touch by calling 023 9284 1762 or emailing communityconnectors@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.

The knitting group at Caroline Square is a welcoming space where anyone aged 18+ can come along to knit and socialise.

Bring your own knitting work along to the group, or take part in community knitting projects. If you don’t have your own knitting supplies, there will be some available.

As well as taking part, there are also opportunities to volunteer as a group leader.

The group meets on the second Tuesday of every month from 2- 3.30 pm at Caroline Square, King William Street, PO1 3JG. There is no need to book a place – simply come along to a session. A £1 donation is required for refreshments.

For more information, contact 02392 841 762 or email iwt@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.

This group provides English classes and various activities for women who don’t speak English very well. The group starts with English classes for beginners and advanced English speakers followed by an activity. These can be arts and crafts, speakers from various organisations, physical activity sessions, cultural celebrations and more.

The group meets every Wednesday during term time, from 12 noon to 2.30pm at Somerstown Hub (entrance off Rivers Street). All women are welcome. Free tea, coffee and biscuits.

For more information, call 023 9284 1762 or email IWT@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.

Diversi-Tea Lounge is an intercultural group open to anyone aged 18+ who would like to meet other people in a friendly atmosphere and carry out a range of activities. There are guest speakers to provide information about different services, arts and crafts, and cookery sessions.

The group runs every Tuesday, from 12.30 to 2.30pm at the Deaf centre, Arundel Street. Free tea, coffee, fruit and biscuits are provided.

For more information, call 023 9284 1762 or email IWT@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.

The Ethnic Grow project offers the opportunity for all adults in Portsmouth to join in with some gardening and grow ethnic vegetables at Landport Community Garden.

The garden is like a little oasis in the city with lovely greenery. Participants don’t need to have any experience in gardening, there is a project worker at hand to give support. All tools are provided.

The group meets on Mondays from 12.30 to 2.30pm at Landport Community Garden, Fyning Street, PO1 1JS.

For more information, call Runi on 023 9284 1762 or email IWT@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.

Men’s Sheds are community spaces for men to connect, converse and create.

Portsea Shed is based at The Harbour Car Park on Havant Street.

Find out more about Men’s Shed.

A new men’s social group has just started up in Paulsgrove. All men are welcome to pop in for a chat, take part in activities, and discuss different topics, including health and wellbeing – it’s a great opportunity to meet others in your local area.

The group meets every Wednesday, from 11am – 12.30pm at Paulsgrove Library (Marsden Road, PO6 4JB).

For more information, call 023 9284 1762 or email IWT@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.

An intercultural group for people aimed at tacklings life’s big challenges, through the power of reading. Make new friends, chat and have fun together. For those aged 18+ who are interested in reading.

The group meets on Tuesdays from 10.30am to 12.30pm at Cosham Library on Spur Road.

For more information, contact Rowshonara on 07423 650 973 (9am – 5pm) or email iwt@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.

Wellbeing walks are a great way to stay active and make new friends at the same time. Our volunteers lead a range of walk routes and distances catering for all abilities. See a list of walks in Portsmouth.

The scheme is jointly run by the council and The Ramblers Association. You can find a list of the walks on the Ramblers Wellbeing Walks website.

For more information, contact Charlie at charlie.johnson@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or on 02392 841 762.

Yoga in the Park is a taster yoga course which takes place every Wednesday morning at Victoria Park (Anglesea Rd, Portsmouth, PO1 3HJ). Sessions are run by a local, qualified instructor, and all abilities are welcome.

It’s a great way to try yoga for the first time, and an opportunity to spend more time outdoors, in the peaceful surroundings of the park.

Meet at the Victoria Park fountain at 10am. You will need to bring a towel or mat, and a water bottle. Contributions are welcome on the day.

Sessions are sponsored by the Victoria Park project.

For more information, call 023 9284 1762 or email IWT@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.