As August begins to draw towards to a close, there is often a subtle change in the rhythm of life. The long, light evenings remain, but the holiday season is beginning to wind down. Family visits are over, trips have been taken, and the familiar routines of autumn are starting to appear on the horizon.

Yet this change should not be regarded as a door closing. In many ways, it is an opportunity to think about how we want to spend the coming months – and how important it is to keep making time for enjoyment, curiosity and companionship.

Outings and social events have a particular value. They are not simply ways of filling a free afternoon. Getting out and about gives us a reason to look forward, to explore somewhere unfamiliar, or perhaps to see a familiar place through fresh eyes. A visit to a garden, museum, historic house or local attraction can become much more memorable when it is shared with others.

There is also something to be said for the simple act of making a commitment to go somewhere. When everyday life becomes increasingly self-directed, it can be surprisingly easy for days to drift by without much distinction. Having an event in the diary creates a small sense of anticipation – something to prepare for, talk about and remember afterwards.

And then there is the social dimension. Friendships are often built not through grand occasions, but through repeated, ordinary encounters: sitting beside someone on a coach, sharing a coffee after an activity, discovering a mutual interest or exchanging stories about a day out. These seemingly small moments can develop into connections that enrich everyday life.

This is one of the strengths of organisations such as Soar Valley u3a. While learning and shared interests are central to the u3a philosophy, membership can also provide a framework for staying socially engaged and trying things that might otherwise remain unexplored. The emphasis is on participation rather than achievement, and on sharing interests rather than being an expert.

There is a deeper benefit to this approach. As we get older, maintaining a sense of curiosity can be just as important as keeping physically active. New experiences challenge our assumptions, introduce us to different perspectives and remind us that there is always more to discover. Equally, spending time with other people can help us feel connected to the wider community rather than simply observing life from the sidelines.

So, as the holiday season comes to an end, perhaps the question is not “What shall we do now?” but “What would we like to discover next?”

The answer might be a day out, a new interest, an afternoon with friends or simply a reason to put something enjoyable in the diary. Summer may be fading, but the possibilities for good company, new experiences and shared adventures certainly need not fade with it.