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Find a new relationship: find a new partner

When you've been in a serious relationship, perhaps married for decades and with grown-up children, the idea of looking for a new relationship or even new friends can seem daunting

The loss of a partner, whether through bereavement or divorce, can undermine your self-confidence or trigger a bout of low-self esteem. This can sometimes mean that it's when you need some company most that you feel least able to go looking for it. So how do you go about meeting new people in later life? And how do you overcome the issues that so often arise with second relationships?

Work at it

Perhaps the most obvious option is through work – whether paid employment or on a voluntary basis. ‘Many employers and voluntary organisations are actively looking to take on older people,' says Keith Frost, spokesperson for the Third Age Employment Network. ‘Many who do start working again find their self-confidence soars and their self-esteem quickly returns. Going back to work makes them healthier, wealthier and happier. And meeting new people can become easier and more natural as a result.'

The chances of meeting people of a similar age at work are good. The UK workforce is changing, and more and more older people are going back to part or full-time employment. The 50 to 64 year-old group represents:

• One-third of people of working age

• One-fifth of all those in work

• One-tenth of those on an employer or government training scheme

‘Employers like Marks and Spencer, Halifax, BT and National Westminster Bank actively recruit older people and offer great chances for second careers,' says Frost.

This article was created: 12 July 2006.
This article was last edited: 24 January 2007.

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