A number of the larger clubs are offering bookable time slots for training. These days people are either money rich and time poor or vice versa.
Gliding is so weather dependant that time in the air cannot be guaranteed. For example a clear, high pressure day this time of the year will offer little thermal lift so a winch launch will only last 6-8 minutes. However a nice spring day with cumulus clouds could offer 7 hours of soaring.
Regarding cost. a winch launch at our club is about £8.50 and will get you to about 1300ft. On top of that you pay 52p per minute soaring fee with a maximum of 2 1/2 hrs
A typical cross country flight in our duo discus during the summer might be 5hrs and cover more than 300km for a total cost of about £95.
Ridge soaring is another experience. 80knts at 200-300ft agl.
Wave flying in the mountains at 20,000ft+ far above the ceiling of most light aircraft.
Aerobatics, vintage gliders, becoming an instructor, competitions, driving the winch are other aspects.
The social side of it tends to be rather active. The membership tends to be very diverse. From peers of the realm, to professional pilots, IT workers, builders, farmers, unemployed, academics, students and schoolkids.
I fly from a club in north hampshire. If the chap who started this thread would like to visit and see what gliding can offer i would be delighted to act as your guide