This month togetherfriends are to support the 'emptynester', the parent left behind when the children leave for pastures new.

September is a time of change for many families, when children return to school and many 'grown up' children set off to university.  It can be  a time of uncertainty for children, but it is easy to forget the parents who are left behind.

The adjustment that has to be made by the parent cannot be underestimated. Many parents look at this time as an opportunity for developing their own interests after many years of juggling their social lives with the demands of the family. As children grow up and leave home many parents reassess their life and look at how they want to live their new life of freedom.

This is a time when people consider the depth of their friendships that they have developed over the years. Many will have close friendships that they wish to develop further, while others will find that they have lost touch with some of their old friends and are ready to broaden out into new friendships with like-minded people.

Over the next few weeks we will be offering advice and tips on moving on.....tips on making new friends and ideas of things to do.  If you would like to contribute to this discussion please contact h[email protected].