My son left home and has not been in touch at all | Agony Aunt

Question: Eighteen months ago, my eldest son left home, and we haven’t seen him since. I’ve tried social services but they were useless, and I’ve asked any of his friends that I can find, but no one seems to have heard from him. All I can think of doing is posting his picture to everyone I know and ask them to look out for him.If I could just know he was okay that would help, even if he doesn’t want to come home.

Answer: What a terrible situation to be in and how hard it must be for you to deal with.

I’d also encourage you to register with the Missing Persons Unit (missingpersons.police.uk); with Missing People (missingpeople.org.uk) and with Look 4 Them (look4them.org.uk).

Look 4 Them has links to a number of tracing services that may be able to help. One of the links on Look 4 Them is the Salvation Army. They also run a Message Home service where people who do not want to be found can leave a message reassuring friends and family that they are okay.

HOW AM I GOING TO MAKE FRIENDS NOW?

Question: I’ve been a widow for three years and I don’t have a lot of friends. My husband was only in his late 40s when he died of cancer and it’s been a real struggle. One friend, who I work with, has been a real rock for me.

When she told me she was leaving for a new job in a different area, I was devastated.I’m already starting to feel lonely, just thinking about her going.

I have never been good at making friends so have always been reluctant to join singles clubs as I’m not sure they’re safe. How will I manage?

Answer: If it’s friendship you need, why would you join a singles club? Most properly organised singles clubs are perfectly safe, but there are many other ways you could meet new people.What have you always wanted to do but not had the time for – sports, crafts, hobbies, adult education? They are all a good way of meeting new people as is voluntary work. Facebook has loads of local groups for people’s interests and they often organise get-togethers.