8 things to consider when starting a group for older people

Pippa Cramer shares her top tips for setting up a church seniors group

1. Start with the “why”
Many older people are living with loneliness, bereavement, reduced mobility, anxiety, poor health, and loss of confidence. The “why” matters. This is not just about running an activity. It is about responding to real human need and opening a gentle pathway to hope, community and Jesus.

2. Pray, pray, pray
Prayer needs to surround every aspect of starting up a Connections group! It shapes the vision, draws the right people along and keeps everything rooted in Jesus. Without prayer, Connections would just be another social group. With prayer, it becomes a place where God is present and at work.

3. Build a culture around welcome, love and care
The welcome on the door matters enormously. It sets the tone for everything else. Remembering someone’s hip operation, grief anniversary or birthday matters so very much. Feeling seen and cherished is not a small thing. To be genuinely noticed and remembered is often where healing begins.

4. Think relationally
What changes lives is not just about what is offered, but how people are loved. Trust grows slowly and beautifully over time and conversations about faith become possible. People in this generation especially often need to ‘belong before they believe’.

5. Gather the right team
Pray carefully about who to invite to the team. Look for listeners, encouragers, people who are patient, kind and dependable, as well as those with practical gifts. Personal invitations are usually far more fruitful and effective than general appeals in church newsletters. People respond when they feel seen, valued, affirmed and called in personally.

6. Nurture and sustain your team
A flourishing ministry needs a flourishing team. Thank volunteers often. Encourage them specifically. Create a culture where the team themselves feel loved, supported and prayed for. Offer training where needed, and also joy, affirmation and pastoral care. Happy, cared-for teams tend to pass that same love on to everyone else.

7. Manage the practicalities
Rotas, risk assessments, safeguarding, fire safety, first aid, transport, accessibility, large print resources, suitable seating, DBS checks – these things may not sound exciting, but they are real acts of love and care and are so important. They help create a safe, trustworthy environment where older people can truly relax and belong.

8. Make the space feel special
This need not be expensive or elaborate. Flowers from the garden on tables, homemade cakes, warm lighting, clear signage, large print, name labels, comfortable chairs – all these details quietly say: you matter, you are valued. Hospitality is never incidental. It reflects the generous welcome and grace of God, and it often helps people understand, long before anything is preached, God’s incredible love.

Pippa Cramer will be speaking at our Evergreen event on 23rd September.