How to use hobbies to connect as Bake Off's Mike celebrates making 'lifelong friends'

The Great British Bake Off star Mike Wilkins has thanked the show for bringing him "11 lifelong friends", after he was the latest contestant to leave the tent on Tuesday (October 15).

Following his exit, Mike reflected on his time on the Channel 4 series in a note shared on the show’s official X account (formerly Twitter). "Every person I have met throughout this experience has been among the most glorious people I have ever had the good fortune to know," the 29-year-old baker wrote.

"I have been made to feel welcomed and supported at every single second. I have also made 11 spectacularly wonderful lifelong friends – how can I possibly express my gratitude for that? As for Alison, the love, laughter and hugs are even better than I ever dared to hope!"

It’s not often as an adult we meet an entire new cohort of people, especially ones who share our passion or interests, unless we start a new job, which might be a remote or hybrid role leading to less in-person social interaction. As our time at home increases, with 38% of us still working from home after the pandemic, it can be difficult to connect with co-workers in the same way to forge new friendships.

Meanwhile, many of us have friends scattered across the country from different chapters of our life and find ourselves booking in a date to spend time together months in advance. The Campaign to End Loneliness found that almost half of all adults in the UK (49%) feel lonely occasionally, and strong friendships are a great way to tackle feelings of isolation to feel connected and known.

Dating coach and relationship expert Kate Mansfield suggests that hobbies can be an excellent way to bond with others and form a meaningful connection with others. "They provide a shared interest that serves as an excellent conversation starter as well as providing a way to connect authentically," she says. "Engaging in activities you love naturally attracts like-minded individuals, creating a comfortable and stimulating environment for connection."

The easiest way to expand a solo hobby into a community is to join a club, says Mansfield. "Clubs foster a sense of community and make it easier to meet people regularly, allowing friendships to develop organically over time. Plus, being part of a group adds a layer of accountability and motivation to pursue your hobbies," she says. "Baking is particularly great for connecting with others because it combines creativity with a tangible outcome—delicious treats! Sharing baked goods is an act of kindness that can break the ice and spark conversations."

5 groups to join to make friends as an adult

• Fitness classes: If you enjoy physical activities, then join a run club, dance class or start a new yoga class. Exercise can be a great way to bond with others over your shared goals and experiences, all while introducing elements of teamwork.

• Craft workshops: Creative outlets such as making pottery, painting, life drawing are all exciting ways to meet likeminded new people that encourage conversations about topics you enjoy.

• Book club: This is one of the best ways to bond over a shared love of reading with new people and transform a solo activity into a conversation with others to form a connection.

• Volunteering: Helping others can be a great way to connect with people in your local community of all ages. It provides a common value and interest to form a friendship on.

• Language classes: Learning a new language is a process and it can be helpful to have some camaraderie, support and x from people who are also on the same journey.

Read more about friendships:

• Keeping their secrets and not flirting with their partner - signs you're a good friend (Yahoo Life, 3-min read)

• Maintaining intergenerational friendships has helped me age well. Here's how. (Yahoo Life, 4-min read)

• Will Mellor on "different" Ralf Little and why their friendship works. (Digital Spy, 2-min read)