Legacy
Legacy
Please note: this post is 89 months old and The Cares Family is no longer operational. This post is shared for information only
If you’d told me back in January that by the end of the year I’d have made friends with an 87 year old lady I wouldn’t have believed you in a million years, but I can honestly say that being introduced to Delcene through the Love Your Neighbour programme has been the highlight of my 2017.
It all began when I was sat reading Time Out magazine on my lunch break earlier this year and spotted an advert for volunteering opportunities in London. One opportunity in particular jumped out at me, and that was getting involved with South London Cares.
I’ve always had a real fondness for older people, and since my grandparents are no longer around, I’ve missed having that connection with the older generation. I’ve missed the storytelling, the wisdom, the historical insights, the humour, and the absence of any sugar-coating!
Seeing Delcene’s face light up every time I arrive at her home each week is a delight. She’s an incredible person, so full of character and with such a wonderful love for life. Despite being housebound since breaking her hip, and for the most part being left with only the television for company, I find that her strength and positive outlook on life is nothing short of inspiring.
I will never tire of hearing all of Delcene’s fascinating stories of life and culture in Jamaica (her home country) over a cup of tea, and of her brave venture on a boat to smog-filled London in the sixties as a young woman looking for work. In return she loves to hear about and see photos of my social-filled weekends, hear my thoughts on the week’s news, and help me with ideas for hen do planning!
I’ve only known Delcene a few months but we’ve already had so much fun together – from teaching her card games, to watching our favourite show Strictly Come Dancing.
My personal highlight was filling her home with Christmas decorations last week with the help of her granddaughter, something she’s missed out on since losing her mobility. Delcene’s direct instructions and strict attention to detail had us all in stitches, you’d think we’d been contracted in!
Living in London over the past 5 years has been brilliant, but sometimes the fast pace of life can be a little overwhelming and you can feel like you’re on a never-ending conveyor belt.
By the same token, our older neighbours can feel cut off from society and hesitant to engage in a gentrified city they no longer recognise or feel able to contribute to. The Love Your Neighbour programme bridges this gap so well, and Delcene and I both gain so much from our relaxed time spent together. I feel blessed to have been introduced to Delcene and so proud to call her my friend.