Since moving I'm desperate to make new friends but I don't know where to start

DEAR DEIDRE: HAVING recently divorced and moved to a new area, I am finding that making friends is more difficult than I’d anticipated.

The last thing I want is to find a new lover or partner, I just want some nice women to hang out with.

I’m a 38-year-old mum of two children, aged seven and five, so it’s hard to go out much in the evenings.

When I was younger, socialising was so easy. But I’m past the stage of going to bars or clubs.

I do have a part-time job, but everyone seems to work from home these days.

Do you have any ideas where I could start?

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DEIDRE SAYS: Making new friends can seem daunting and it takes time, but if you put yourself out there it should reap rewards.

Having young children can be helpful.

Talk to other mothers at the school gates and, once you’ve made connections, suggest a coffee.

Invite your kids’ friends for play-dates and get to know their mums.

Get involved in school activities and join any local groups that interest you.

My support pack, Widening Your Social Scene, should help.

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