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The Group Guide
Connecting people to community
Client and Family Education
What to know about

Community and Shared-Interest Groups

Community groups bring people together around something they enjoy or care about. That might be a book club, a walking group, or a game night. It might be a choir, a community garden, a Men's Shed, or a volunteer crew. These groups are not therapy. There is no clinical leader. People come for the activity. The connection grows out of it. Over time, the regulars become a community. They notice when you are missing. They share what they know. They show up for each other. For many people, this is an easier first step than a support group. No one has to explain why they came. That is why The Group Guide lists community groups next to therapy and support groups.

Who it's for, and who it's not

For anyone who wants more people in their week and a reason to show up.
Works well along with therapy or a support group, or after one ends.
Not a stand-in for care when depression, anxiety, grief, or substance use is getting in the way of daily life.

What it's for

Social and hobby groups: book clubs, game nights, craft circles, choirs, and language swaps.
Active groups: walking and running clubs, community gardens, and rec center classes.
Doing for others: volunteer crews, Men's Sheds, mentoring, and neighborhood projects.
What to expect
1Weekly or monthly meetups. Often at a library, game store, park, rec center, or online.
2Low pressure. Most people come for the activity and talk while they do it.
3Usually free or low cost. Run by volunteers, a library, or a local business.

Shared activities build belonging. Belonging supports health.

A study of 93,263 adults aged 65 and older in 16 countries found that having a hobby was linked to fewer signs of depression. It was also linked to more happiness, better self-rated health, and more life satisfaction.1
A review of 52 studies on Men's Sheds, where men work on projects together, found members gained a sense of belonging. They also reported better health and well-being, and felt less alone.2
Making the most of it
Become a regular. Community forms around the people who keep showing up. After a few weeks, you are part of what makes it feel welcoming to the next new person.
Pick something you would do anyway. Real interest keeps you coming back once the newness wears off.
Side by side is enough. Talking over a shared task is easier than talking face to face. A lot of friendships start that way.
Questions to ask before you join
1Is it free? Is there anything I need to buy or bring?
2Can I drop in, or should I sign up first?
3Is it good for beginners? Who should I look for when I get there?

Ready to find a group?

Scan to see groups on this topic, or browse 2,000+ therapy, support, and community groups in all 50 states.

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In crisis? Call or text 988 (US Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, 24/7).

The Group Guide is a directory, not a clinic. This handout is general education, not medical or mental health advice. Listings are written by group leaders and are not endorsements. Confirm details, cost, and fit with any group you contact. Sources on page 2.

The Group Guide
Connecting people to community
Client and Family Education

Sources

Community and Shared-Interest Groups · references keyed to the numbers on page 1.

1Mak, H. W., Noguchi, T., Bone, J. K., Wels, J., Gao, Q., Kondo, K., Saito, T., & Fancourt, D. Hobby engagement and mental wellbeing among people aged 65 years and older in 16 countries. Nature Medicine (2023), 29(9), 2233–2240.

2Foettinger, L., Albrecht, B. M., Altgeld, T., Gansefort, D., Recke, C., Stalling, I., & Bammann, K. The role of community-based Men's Sheds in health promotion for older men: A mixed-methods systematic review. American Journal of Men's Health (2022), 16(2).

In crisis? Call or text 988 (US Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, 24/7).

The Group Guide is a directory, not a clinic. This handout is general education, not medical or mental health advice. Listings are written by group leaders and are not endorsements. Confirm details, cost, and fit with any group you contact.