Fill your days with friendship

Published: 06 Jan 2026

“The people are lovely. They're welcoming. They call it a ‘friendly society’ and they're right – it is. It is friendly.”

These are the words of Louisa Woodward, 56, from Leeds, describing the people she spends time with at Leeds Oddfellows – one of the our 96 local branches throughout the UK.

Louisa Woodward at a recent 'Breakfast Club' event at Leeds Oddfellows

I'm a social animal Louisa Woodward

Louisa describes herself as a “social animal”, using words like “chatty”, and in fact reckons she could “talk for England”, if such an opportunity ever arose. 

All joking aside, she places a huge amount of importance on spending time with other people, and says the benefits companionship has on her wellbeing are vast.

“It’s good for my mental health,” she said, having finished her bacon and sausage sandwich at Leeds Oddfellows’ breakfast club alongside a room full of hungry regulars. “If I sat in my house every day, you know for hours and hours and hours, I would go stir crazy.”

Friendship for everyone

The Oddfellows hosts regular social events in neighbourhoods throughout the UK, not just in Leeds, with the aim of making them as accessible and affordable as possible.

Louisa has used a wheelchair and mobility scooter since the age of 11, but after breaking her leg five years ago she relies on them full-time to get around, as well as her car. Following that injury, she began a hunt for nearby activities she could take part in and people she could meet up with regularly.

Louisa having a laugh with Leeds Oddfellows member Christine (right) and Social Organiser Eleanor (middle)

She said: “I started going to the church up the road on a Wednesday. They do a coffee morning. You pay two pounds, you get a sandwich and homemade cakes and a cup of tea, and have a chat and whatever.

“At some point Christine, a member here at Leeds Oddfellows, appeared and walked around with some Oddfellows information packs saying ‘would anybody like to join this?’ So, I looked at it and she went, ‘you'd really like it. It's a lovely place’.

“She was right, and I’ve been coming ever since.”

Louisa added: “Everyone makes you so welcome. From the first day I came, I think I came for fish and chips, everyone made me feel so welcome.

“It's just a breath of fresh air, really, and there's so much to do as well.”

Events for all tastes

As well as breakfast, attendees tackled a quiz

As well as the food-related events, which always attract a crowd, Louisa has been on day trips out, a Halloween event, quizzes and bingo.

“Whenever I can, I get to the events,” she said. “And I'm always the last to leave. I want to chat to people, and they've just taken to me.

“It's something to do, somewhere to go. I look at the events diary and I go, ‘yeah, I can do that. I’ll do that, and I’ll do that’.

“One of my neighbours has joined recently and I’ve been trying to get her to come for a year. She thinks it's amazing. She's singing about it everywhere!”

Met with a warm welcome

Oddfellows events are organised for anyone to come along to, and are hosted by a member of staff or a regular member who are always on the lookout for new faces to ensure they feel comfortable.

Eleanor Tamlyn is a Social Organiser at Leeds Oddfellows. She said: “We’ve got lots of lovely events to try and friendly faces – just like Louisa – to welcome any newcomers.

“We invite people to come along and try us out before deciding to become a member, and there’s no pressure to come to every meetup. It’s all very relaxed and everyone is welcome.”

Louisa often gives Eleanor a hand at events

The Oddfellows carries this ethos throughout its network of branches nationally, where more than 38,000 members get together often to enjoy companionship.

Louisa added some advice for anyone thinking of going along to an Oddfellows event for the first time: “I wouldn't like to go somewhere where I don’t know anybody, and I'm quite lively, but don't be worried if you feel nervous because the minute you walk through the door somebody's there. Straight away someone will say ‘do you want to get a cup of tea? Sit down’.”

Find an Oddfellows near you

Everyone is welcome at Oddfellows friendship groups

You can find more information and contact details for your local Oddfellows friendship group using our Branch Finder, and discover events nearby using our Events Finder.

Ask for a free info pack

Our Membership can send you a free information pack and local events diary on request. Plus there are monthly online open days which are great ways to find out more about the Oddfellows and the benefits of membership.