SMILE Walking Group
A friendly walking group bringing people together – free walks plus sociable extras like fish-and-chip evenings and sunrise walks at Hadleigh Castle.
Find on FacebookIn Motion Club – Southend
A friendly local walking group getting people out and moving together around Shoeburyness and the seafront.
Visit websiteSouthend parkrun
A free, friendly weekly 5k at Gunners Park – run, jog, walk or volunteer. Everyone welcome, whatever your pace.
Visit websiteSouth East Essex Ramblers
A friendly walking group with a varied programme of weekend and mid-week walks around Southend – from gentle 5-milers to longer treks. Non-members welcome to try.
Visit websiteGet Up Get Out Get Social Essex
A sociable Meetup group for the over-35s – relaxed get-togethers and outings to make new friends across Essex.
Visit websiteSouth East Essex Social Group
A Meetup community organising regular socials and activities for adults around south-east Essex.
Visit websiteSouthend Family Centres
Free family sessions right across Southend, including summer-holiday groups for little ones and their parents. Friendly staff and families.
Find on FacebookEssex & Suffolk Friends
A big, inclusive friendship group with thousands of members and regular Southend-based meet-ups and socials.
Find on FacebookLeap Pathways – The Hive
Relaxed, low-pressure free-flow sessions for all ages on Wednesdays and Fridays – designed to be gentle on anxiety.
Visit websiteCake Club Community
Warm daytime groups for parents, with slings and feeding support – a gentle place to meet other families.
Find on FacebookMums Together
Sociable meet-ups for mums – think picnics in Priory Park with blankets and games. Bring the family and say hello.
Find on FacebookGals Mingal
A friendly women’s group for making real local friendships – for you, and a social life for the whole family.
Find on FacebookVictoria Centre Kids’ Club
A free kids’ club every Thursday through August, 11am–3pm – and grown-ups are welcome to join the fun.
Find on FacebookProject Southchurch
Community events for all ages across the Southchurch area.
Visit websiteMum’s Guide to Southend
A local directory of what’s on – events, activities, holiday clubs and family support, with a big summer guide.
Visit websiteMaking Waves
A supportive group for neurodiverse people and their families, meeting at St Cedd’s Church.
Find on FacebookTrinity Family Club
A lovely, friendly family club on Tuesday afternoons where adults stay with their children.
Visit websiteSouthend Techmeet
A friendly community of IT pros, businesses and tech enthusiasts – monthly meetup (3rd Thursday) at The Board Game Hut covering software, AI, Raspberry Pi, robotics and more, plus hackathons and coding workshops. Over 18s.
Visit websiteSouthend 30/40s Women’s Social
A welcoming Meetup group for women in their 30s and 40s – coffees, meals and nights out to build local friendships.
Visit websiteStep Out Essex
A social group for neurodivergent and socially anxious young adults in their 18s to 30s – low-pressure meet-ups to build confidence and make friends.
Visit websiteW4W (Women for Women) Essex
A social group for women who love women across Essex – meals out, pool, beach days, film nights and coffee. Over 18s, whoever you are.
Visit websiteHighlands Methodist Hobbies Group
Drop in for tea, a bring-and-share lunch and whatever the group is making – card making, calligraphy, flower arranging, banners and jigsaws.
Visit websiteMendip Community Group
A Thursday-morning coffee morning and warm space at the Bridgwater Drive church – tea, coffee, hot chocolate and filled rolls. Everyone welcome.
Visit websiteSt Helen’s Friendship Club
Connection and laughter every Tuesday in the parish hall at St Helen’s, Westcliff – one of several friendly groups the parish runs. All welcome.
Visit websiteEarls Hall Fellowship Hall Drop-in
The hall is open for tea, coffee and a chat two days a week – a safe, local space made for anyone who finds busy rooms or social isolation hard.
Find on FacebookThorpe Bay Friendship Coffee Mornings
Relax and chat every Wednesday morning at Thorpe Bay Methodist Church, with a dementia-friendly Memory Worship service and activities on the first Monday of the month.
Visit websiteSt Clement’s Knit & Natter
A weekly group for knitting, crochet, cross-stitch and any other craft – tea, coffee and lots of chat provided. Friday lunches run in the church too.
Visit websiteMilton Community Partnership
Weekly clubs and low-cost family days out from St Mark’s Centre – a toddler group, an after-school family club, stitch and chat, and fitness classes.
Visit websiteSouthend-on-Sea Pride
The local Pride charity – a family-friendly festival, an LGBTQ+ march and events through the year celebrating and supporting queer Southend.
Visit websiteTriple Ts Youth Club
Weekly youth clubs for 8–12 year olds in central Southend, run by Turning Tides team leaders and local volunteers – cooking, first aid, games and trips out.
Visit websiteShoebury Youth Centre
Junior club on Friday afternoons for ages 8 to year 6 and senior sessions for 13+ in the evening – football, art, pool, cooking, music and games. SEND groups on Thursdays.
Find on FacebookATF (Achieve Thrive Flourish)
Dozens of free community groups across Southend, many built around sport and activity – plus beach days, picnics and low-cost events from The Hive at Garon Park.
Visit websiteNeurodivergent Safe Space
A weekly club in Westcliff for neurodivergent teens and young adults aged 13–20 – activities, trips out, neurodivergent adults to talk to, and a space that’s theirs.
Visit websiteLinks Club – Leigh Road Baptist Church
A Monday-morning group in The Stables Lounge where retired people and the over-60s meet for friendship and company – come and share your enthusiasms with others.
Visit websiteLegoclub Leigh
A warm, all-ages community group – Lego, Duplo, Megablocks and crafts, with parents and carers staying throughout. Run on donations.
Find on FacebookOpen Arms Tots – Ferndale Baptist Church
A Tuesday-morning stay-and-play at Ferndale Baptist Church for little ones and their grown-ups, with a warm space and a cuppa alongside. Small donation suggested.
Visit websiteSt David’s Lunch Club
A warm, friendly Wednesday lunch club in Eastwood with proper home cooking – two courses and a cuppa for a few pounds. Dial-a-ride transport can be arranged.
Visit websiteAmbleside Social Club
Family-friendly social club on Ambleside Drive with live bands, darts, pool, snooker, a garden and seasonal events for children at Easter, Halloween and Christmas.
Visit websiteNaval and Military Club
A historic social club on Royal Terrace overlooking the estuary – three bars, live music, quiz nights, karaoke and a function room, steeped in character since 1920. Open to all, family friendly.
Visit websiteThe Hang Out Venue
A relaxed family stay-and-play for ages 0–18 – activities for the children while parents unwind with a cup of tea. Opposite Sainsbury’s in Southend.
Find on FacebookGrange Celtic Supporters Club
A sociable sports supporters’ club for adults, with children welcome too – a warm spot if you enjoy sport.
Find on FacebookEkco Social & Sports Club
A community sports and social club with jazz nights, live sport and a new outdoor play area for the little ones.
Find on FacebookCentre Café – Belle Vue
A friendly community café at Belle Vue Baptist Church, with picnics and get-togethers in local parks.
Visit websiteSouthend Wheelers Cycling Club
A traditional racing and leisure cycling club since 1923, welcoming all ages from 12+ – colour-coded Sunday rides to suit every speed, finishing with cake.
Visit websiteCity of Southend-on-Sea Athletic Club
Athletics club founded in 1905 at Garon Park, with a Junior Academy for younger children and coached training for all abilities.
Visit websitePrittlewell Bowls & Croquet Club
A welcoming club in Priory Park offering lawn bowls and, newly for 2025, croquet – social and competitive games with free coaching and a licensed bar.
Visit websiteSouthend Rugby Club (Saxons)
A community rugby club since 1870 with teams for every age and ability – minis and juniors, women’s, seniors and vets, plus non-contact touch rugby.
Visit websiteSouthend Manor FC
A long-running community football club playing at Southchurch Park, with a friendly local following.
Visit websiteSouthend Walking Football Club
A gentler, low-impact take on football aimed at older adults – stay active, have fun and meet people at a relaxed pace.
Find on FacebookSouthend-on-Sea u3a
A lifelong-learning co-operative for older people no longer in full-time work – dozens of interest groups from walking and knit-and-natter to canasta, run by members for members.
Visit websiteWestcliff-on-Sea Women’s Institute
The WI as it actually is – hoteliers, teachers, mums and retirees who meet for talks, outings and a good natter. Now at Pebbles Café in The Haven Community Hub.
Visit websiteSouthend Chess Club
A large, friendly club with players of every standard – Mondays at Ambleside Social Club and Fridays at Thorpe Bay Bridge Club. Turn up and play a game or two.
Visit websiteEssex Society for Family History – SE Essex
A genealogy group for anyone tracing an Essex family tree, with monthly meetings in Southend and a big archive of local records to dig into.
Visit websiteLeigh Caledonian Dancers
Scottish country dancing on Monday evenings at St James Church Hall – no partner needed, no experience needed, and every dance is walked through first. £4 a session, and a break over July and August.
Visit websiteLeigh Floral Arrangement Group
A friendly afternoon of flowers, demonstrations and tea at Highlands Methodist Church on the last Friday of the month. Visitors welcome; doesn’t run in August.
Find on FacebookRoyal Naval Association – Southend Branch
A welcoming club on East Street open every day, with branch meetings on the second Sunday of the month. Serving and former Naval personnel, families and supporters.
Visit websiteShoebury & Thorpe Bay u3a
Over 100 interest groups for people no longer in full-time work – languages, walking, handicrafts, music, exercise and games. Something for everyone.
Visit websiteCivil Service Pensioners’ Alliance – Southend
The local group of the national CSPA – meetings with an interesting talk, a chat with friends and news on pensioner matters. Covers the SS postcodes.
Visit websiteRotary Club of Southend-on-Sea
The first Rotary club in East Anglia, chartered in 1921 – service-minded people who fundraise, run projects and enjoy each other’s company.
Visit websiteRotary Club of Leigh on Sea
A local Rotary club meeting Monday evenings at Boyce Hill Golf Club and Saxon Hall, picking its own projects and charities to support.
Visit websiteSoroptimist International Southend & District
A worldwide women’s service organisation with a local club meeting monthly at Garons – friendship alongside work for women and girls.
Visit websiteSouthchurch Croquet Club
Croquet with no age or ability restrictions, played at Rayleigh Cricket Club three mornings a week. Beginners are coached from scratch.
Find on FacebookShoebury Park Bowls Club
A parks bowls club welcoming visitors and new members through the season – free instruction from registered coaches and no obligation to join.
Visit websiteEssex County Bowling Club
Westcliff’s best-kept secret since 1906 – two grass greens outdoors and a six-rink indoor carpet, so bowls all year round. Come and have a chat first.
Visit websiteBelfairs Methodist Badminton Club
A friendly Tuesday-evening club for players of all standards – no leagues, just good exercise and light competition. Runs most of the year.
Find on FacebookTrinity Football Club
One of Southend’s largest development clubs with 40+ teams from age 3 upwards – including free Trinity Cubs training sessions for 3–6 year olds.
Visit websiteSouthend-on-Sea & EMT Cricket Club
Cricket for boys and girls of all ages and abilities plus senior sides, based at the pavilion in Southchurch Park with winter training indoors.
Visit websiteSimply Stride / Senior Stride
Walking sessions that fold in yoga, pilates and mindfulness techniques – weekly around Leigh, Chalkwell, Priory Park and Thorpe Bay, with gentler Senior Stride groups.
Visit websiteBrazilarte Academy
Brazilian martial arts, dance, music and art for children and adults – capoeira, jiu jitsu, percussion and CapoYoga, six days a week inside the Victoria Centre.
Visit websiteBeach School Explorers
Sea safaris, holiday clubs and rock-pooling sessions along the Southend shore – hands-on, all ages, and full of cool sea life facts.
Visit websiteSouthend Vox
A fun, sociable community choir run entirely by volunteers, open to all genders 18 and over. Sings an eclectic mix of pop, show songs, spirituals and contemporary pieces.
Visit websiteSocial on Sea
A non-profit running social events for 13–25s with autism, Asperger’s or social and mental-health difficulties, plus a Social on Sea Plus strand for 18–30s. Events are booked in advance.
Visit websiteSouthend Irish Association
Nearly 50 years of Irish community in Southend – Craic agus Ceol music sessions on the last Friday of the month at the back bar of The Plough. All welcome.
Visit websiteInternational German Club
A relaxed club for German speakers of any nationality – monthly club nights with talks, a raffle and a quiz, plus weekly Friday-afternoon chats on Zoom.
Visit websiteSouthend UFO & Paranormal Group
Regular meetings for anyone curious about UFO sightings and the unexplained across south Essex. Sceptics as welcome as believers.
Visit websiteAGES AHA – Archaeology Group
Monthly evening talks on archaeology and local history at Hadleigh United Reformed Church – no background needed, visitors welcome.
Visit websiteThe Jazz Centre UK
A jazz museum and cultural hub at the Beecroft Gallery – heritage collections from famous musicians, live events and workshops, and a big library of books, vinyl and CDs to browse.
Visit websiteBalmoral Community Centre
The true centre of its community – home to dozens of clubs, societies and classes, and a comfortable base for anything from a lunch club to a family celebration.
Visit websiteThe Haven Community Hub
A warm, easy place to spend a morning – Millie’s community café, comfortable seating, free wi-fi, leisure groups and keep-fit upstairs. Run by Age Concern Southend.
Visit websiteClub 50+
Arts, sport and social activities for the over-50s from Age Concern Southend, based at The Haven Community Hub – plus advice, befriending and day care if you need it.
Visit websiteSouthend & District Pensioners Campaign Group
A sociable monthly meeting at the Balmoral Centre with a guest speaker on anything from Citizens Advice to hidden London. Going since 1985.
Visit websiteLions Club of Leigh-on-Sea
“Having fun, serving the local community” – hands-on help for local organisations and people in need, with a sociable club behind it.
Visit websiteEast Beach Residents Association
Set up in 2022 to bring East Beach together – quiz nights, Pimms in the garden, a summer fair in Norfolk Square and an AGM with a talk. Fundraises for local charities.
Visit websiteThe Len Forge Centre
A busy community sports centre on Eastwoodbury Lane – 3G and grass pitches, a function hall with a bar, and regular darts nights and family fun days.
Visit websiteThe IronWorks
Southend’s community arts and culture venue on the High Street – live music, theatre, comedy, spoken word, workshops, pop-up markets and Solly’s coffee shop.
Visit websiteEssex Asian Women’s Association
A long-established association supporting and connecting Asian women in Southend – advice, health information and celebrations of local heritage.
Visit website1312 (City of Southend-on-Sea) RAF Air Cadets
Challenge, adventure and new skills for young people – you join as a trial and get eased in gradually. Friday evenings and Sunday mornings on Eastwoodbury Crescent.
Visit websiteSt John Ambulance – Leigh Badgers & Cadets
Badgers (7–10) and Cadets (10–17) meet weekly for first aid, fun and adventure, earning badges along the way. Leigh Bouncy Badgers run alongside.
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