In 2001 there were 17.5m people aged between 50 and 80 in the UK, which represented 38% of the total adult population. It is projected that by 2031, 46% of the adult population will be in this range.

(source: Government Actuaries Department 2001)

NewFocus on YOU

If you have retired and you live in the Guildford area you would be most welcome at NewFocus. These notes are intended to give you some information that will hopefully encourage you to come and find out more about us for yourself.

NewFocus on FRIENDSHIPS

NewFocus is essentially about relationships. Now you are retired you may be aware that there are not so many opportunities to build new relationships. In fact, for some retired people there is a distinct shortage of friends.

In NewFocus around 70 people meet at least twice a month and it is a great feeling to be surrounded by so many new people, some of whom may become good friends in time.

NewFocus on FUN

We do not believe that life has to be quite so serious all the time. When we look at this wonderful world that has been created just for us to live in, with all the colour and variety of life, it is difficult not to conclude that we are supposed to be enjoying ourselves. There are many sad things in life and we are often confronted with them but we need the balance that heartfelt laughter brings.

Some of the fun we have is organised. Some of it is found in the varied and exciting speakers we hear month by month. The best fun is to be found in the sparkle of life as we interact with one another each time we meet.

NewFocus on BELONGING

Very few of us like to be on our own all the time. It is good to belong. We all know the power of a smile and an acknowledgement of who we are from our peers. We all like to feel missed when we are not around.

NewFocus on CARING

Caring for one another is a big part of what we do. We have a Care Link Team whose job it is to find out when members are ill or going through a difficult time. Having a telephone call or a visit when we are unwell can give us a real lift.

There is a further dimension to our group, however, in that many of us meet in addition to the main meetings to pray for one another especially if we know someone is ill. We believe that such prayers offered in faith can be a great blessing and can even speed up the healing process.

NewFocus on A SENSE OF PURPOSE

We have more than our fair share of vibrant active people who believe that being retired means they have greater opportunity to do more things, not less.

If you have entered retirement with a sense that there is yet more to be achieved in your life, then we can promise you that you will be rubbing shoulders with many people who feel just the same.

NewFocus on HELPING OTHERS

If you want to help others and are not sure how to go about it we have a number of opportunities to do so.

You may have gifts in electronics, or finance, or administration, or driving a mini bus, or just generally encouraging others. You may have a good singing voice or play a musical instrument. Perhaps you are good at organising things like outings. Whatever your skill is, there is no need to let it go to waste.

NewFocus on YOUR SPIRIT

Very few people really believe in their innermost hearts that there is nothing outside of the life that we can see and touch. We believe that there is a God who made all that we can see and much more. We believe that this God has made himself known to us in his son Jesus Christ. We believe that if we focus our lives on knowing Jesus, everything else will come into focus as well.

Even if, until now, you have been disinterested in anything to do with the church, we believe you would be pleasantly surprised by the down to earth way we incorporate our beliefs into our daily lives.