Legacy
Legacy
Please note: this post is 109 months old and The Cares Family is no longer operational. This post is shared for information only
South London Cares brings together young professionals and their older neighbours for fun, friendship and meaningful connections. Here's 7 things we thought you should know about your amazing older neighbours. And yes, we've gone all BuzzFeed.
1. You have much more in common with your 85-year-old neighbour than you might think.
The phrase 'young at heart' exists for a reason. The things that make life fun and fulfilling at 25 don't tend to change that much when you reach 85. Good friendships, having things to look forward to, feeling valued, visible and part of something are important whatever your age. Emily and Richard have a life motto in common: seize the day!
2. By hanging out with your older neighbours, you're helping them to feel more confident and resilient.
London can be a doubly isolating place for older people who feel left behind by the constant churn and changes around them. When you join your older neighbours for a jaunt into Brixton Village, or to the Southbank Centre for a dance, it helps them to feel at home in new, younger places. Social club regular, Jacquie said: "I wouldn't have gone into a restaurant in Brixton Row before, because it's so full of young people and it's so busy. But after coming along with the volunteers I'd feel more confident and happy popping in to enjoy a meal or a drink!"
3. You're the reason they come along to our social clubs.
We asked your older neighbours what they enjoy the most about being part of South London Cares. The answer? The company and companionship of young people like you. We hear so often from Frances, Rita and Tony that spending time with young people makes them feel younger. What could be better than that?
4. Thanks to you, they feel more connected to our rapidly changing London.
So many jobs, industries and technologies are new unknowns to people who retired 10, 20 or 30 years ago. And so many of our volunteers are young people who have moved to London for work. So when we get a chance to bring those two groups together in a workplace, it's a combination of discovery for both sides. Our older neighbours have visited an investment company and an online marketing company and we're always happy to have more invitations from businesses big or small!
5. They love having fun just as much as you do!
Whether you were born in 1988 or 1938, we want to help you to enjoy life to the fullest! Your older neighbours love going out to enjoy a pint, the latest blockbuster or to a party just like you do. That's what our Social Clubs aim to do: create fun, memorable experiences for young and older south Londoners alike.
6. We have so much to learn from our older neighbours.
Your older neighbours have lived through hard times, good times and everything in between. The experiences and views of someone much older (and wiser) can bring our own worries into perspective, and exposing ourselves to people who've grown up in a different time is nothing if not valuable. SLC volunteers tell us all the time that they feel they gain more from their older neighbours than the other way round.
7. Your time and company mean so much.
Rita, 82, recently told us how much her weekly visits from Love Your Neighbour volunteer Bea mean to her: "It’s the most wonderful thing, I look forward to seeing her every time. She does something nobody else does, she listens, spends quality time with great conversation. It makes me feel happier and it’s so nice to have someone visit me so often. We're becoming friends."
Our community is stronger when our older neighbours are more visible and valued. Thank you for helping to make that happen in so many ways! If you want to join our network, whether by volunteering, fundraising or supporting us in other ways, get in touch – we'd love to hear from you.