The return of Enable Ability’s Over 25 social group marks a fresh chapter for adults across Portsmouth looking to connect, build confidence and feel part of something welcoming and inclusive.
After a short break, the group is relaunching this April with a new format shaped by feedback from those who attended last year. What remains unchanged is the heart of the group; relaxed, friendly evenings in local venues where people can meet others, enjoy good conversation and feel part of a wider community. What has changed is how the sessions are delivered, making them more accessible, more supportive and easier to attend.
The first session takes place at the Still & West in Old Portsmouth.
Date: Thursday 16th April
Time: 7pm
Booking link: https://www.stillandwest.co.uk/whats-on/empty-chairs
When booking, attendees are asked to scroll down the page and use the booking link within the event description rather than the one at the top. Those who book through this link will also receive 20% off food and drink on the evening.
Following this, the group will continue to meet fortnightly at venues across the city, creating a consistent and reliable opportunity for people to come together.
The following session will be held at the The Old Customs House in Gunwharf Quays.
Date: Thursday 30th April
Time: 7pm
Booking link: https://www.theoldcustomshouse.com/whats-on/enable-ability-social-session
When booking, attendees are asked to scroll down the page and use the booking link within the event description rather than the one at the top. Those who book through this link will also receive 20% off food and drink on the evening.
A further date has also been confirmed at The Vaults in Albert Road.
Date: Thursday 14th May
Time: 7pm
The booking link for this event will be released shortly.
While the venues may change, the structure remains simple. Each session runs for two hours with a dedicated host present throughout, offering a familiar face and a consistent point of support. Attendees can choose to join the main group or, where available, make use of quieter spaces within the venue. Guests are encouraged to stay once the host has left, ‘flexing’ their independence in a mainstream setting.
The host for each session will be James Donougher, Enable Ability’s Project Leader for the Over 25 group. Taking the idea from the Empty Chairs concept, James will be dressed in orange to ensure he can be easily spotted by anyone who is new to joining the group. He is delighted to return with the project this year, he added “this group has always been about creating a space where people feel comfortable, included and able to be themselves. What’s really special about the return of the group is it’s been shaped by the people who attend it. We’ve listened carefully to what worked last year and where more support was needed, and that’s allowed us to build something even stronger this year. By working with partners like Hive Portsmouth and A Safe Place, we’re now able to offer not just a social experience, but access to meaningful support in a relaxed and confidential setting. This is much more than just meeting up, it’s about building confidence, independence and a genuine sense of belonging within the community.”
As the partnerships with Hive Portsmouth and A Safe Place become embedded, future events will offer the opportunity for private one-to-one conversations with trained professionals, alongside the social element of the evening.
This is a significant step forward from last year and comes directly from co-production work with the attendees, who asked for more accessible and professional support within an informal setting. By bringing this professional support into everyday community spaces, the group aims to remove barriers and make it easier for people to access help when they need it.
Alongside the relaunch, Enable Ability is also beginning to shape a new programme that will run alongside the social group. This will focus on building confidence and independence through supported travel across Portsmouth. Future sessions will include optional group journeys using free local bus services to and from the social gatherings, helping participants learn routes, understand timetables and gain the confidence to travel independently over time.
This approach builds on the group’s original purpose, not only creating opportunities for friendship and connection, but also supporting real life skills that enable people to engage more fully with their city.
The return of the Over 25 group is more than just a restart. It reflects a growing and evolving programme shaped by the people who attend it, supported by local partnerships and focused on creating a more inclusive Portsmouth. Huge thanks to Fullers who have supported this initiative from the start of the year when we first approached them. In return, the group will be assessing any improvements that could be made to their pubs, any changes to make the venue more accessible and inclusive through the group’s own lived experiences.
For those who joined last year, it is a welcome return to everyone involved. For those thinking of attending for the first time, the door is always open and I would strongly recommend anyone thinking of joining us, please contact James directly on coproduction@enableability.org.uk.
