Prep for winter friendship freeze

Published: 28 Aug 2026

A new campaign is urging people to start prioritising friendships now before winter sets in, after research found millions struggle to stay connected during the colder months.

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The survey*, commissioned by the Oddfellows, revealed that four in 10 people (42%) say winter requires more effort to maintain friendships, with colder weather and darker evenings making it harder to stay socially active.

It also found that almost two-thirds (62%) of Brits have lost a good friend simply because they didn't see each other often enough.

Get regular meetups in your diary

As the colder months approach, the Oddfellows is urging people to prioritise their social lives and schedule regular get-togethers now to help maintain connections, support wellbeing and ward off the winter blues. 

As part of its Friendship Month campaign this September, the not-for-profit and mutual organisation will host more than 240 community events across the UK, offering opportunities to meet new people and feel supported socially.

Consistency, regularity and proximity

Anthropologist Dr Anna Machin says it’s a scientific fact that friends with regular, face-to-face contact form deeper bonds than those who don’t, making it vital to carry the momentum of our busier summer social lives into winter.

Anna says: "The key is consistency, regularity and proximity, whether it's friends you've known for years or people you've only recently met.

“Friendships need regular contact to thrive. When we don't see people often, it's much harder to maintain the emotional closeness that keeps those relationships strong.”

Friendships need regular contact to thrive says Dr Anna Machin

She added: “It’s much easier to try to get out and spend time with friends when the weather is good, but winter can make it harder, with shorter days and colder weather often meaning we see friends less frequently.

"Making the effort to prioritise friendships and being proactive about arranging regular catch-ups can make a real difference to your wellbeing.”

The survey also found that older adults are far more likely to value regular contact and face-to-face meetups than their younger counterparts, with 42% of over 55-year-olds saying regular contact is important to maintaining friendship, compared to just 29% of 18 to 34-year-olds.

Anna added that joining a hobby or general friendship group, like the Oddfellows, is an easy route to build and maintain new connections.

Over 240 taster events on offer 

The Oddfellows has around 39,000 branch-based members across 91 branches in the UK. During Friendship Month (1-30 Sept), its local groups host free or low-cost taster events for people who are looking to expand their social circle, make new friends and benefit from being part of a supportive community.

Over 240 events are scheduled for the month and include pub lunches, organised walks and activities such as quizzes and guest talks.

Circle Sept for new friendships

Debbie Jex, Chair of the Oddfellows, said: "This Friendship Month, we're encouraging people to ‘Circle September for new friendships’, make social plans now and prioritise the relationships that matter to them. 

“Taking that first step to meeting new people can often be the hardest part, so we’ve created plenty of relaxed opportunities for people to come along, get involved and make meaningful connections that could help improve their wellbeing through the colder months and beyond.”

Members of the Oddfellows can access a variety of benefits including care and welfare support. There are also opportunities for group travel and to take part in fundraising and volunteering.

Find out more about Friendship Month 

Find your nearest Oddfellows friendship group

•    Use the Branch Finder to locate your nearest Oddfellows branch
•    Search for activities using the Events Finder, including online events
•    Request your free information pack and local events diary
•    Register for an online open day
•    Read more advice in our friendship guides section

Free friendship webinar

Dr Anna Machin is hosting a free webinar on Tuesday 13 October at 7pm. In this Zoom session, she’ll offer expert advice on how to be proactive about finding friendship in later life. Register here or find out more

About Dr Anna Machin

Anna is a doctor of evolutionary anthropology, a writer and broadcaster. She is world-renowned for her work in the science and anthropology of close human relationships. She is also the author of Why We Love: The Definitive Guide to Our Most Fundamental Need. www.annamachin.com

[1] The Oddfellows commissioned Opinium to conduct a survey of 2,000 UK adults aged 18+, weighted to be nationally representative, between 7-10 July 2026. Full results are available on request.