Big city, small community

Please note: this post is 132 months old and The Cares Family is no longer operational. This post is shared for information only

In her latest blog, SLC Projects Officer Hannah writes about why she loves the four-to-five times per week Social Clubs.

Last summer, when I started working at South London Cares, we were still a super young charity. We knew we wanted to build relationships with local and national businesses operating in Lambeth and Southwark, and to connect our older neighbours to those well known local brands – but we'd yet to reach out or build those relationships.

Nine months on, it's so satisfying to see how many local firms – large and small – are already contributing to their community through South London Cares, bringing their expertise, employees and space to bear for the benefit of their older neighbours.

Last month we introduced some of our older neighbours in Lambeth to Franco Manca, a fantastic pizza restaurant in the heart of Brixton Market – and an iconic new south London brand. The visit wasn't just about delicious pizza; it was about helping all of our neighbours – long-standing and those still laying down roots – to understand the world beyond their doors. Other local businesses and organisations including the Southbank Centre, Expedia, Barclays and the London Philharmonic Orchestra have recently opened their doors to their older neighbours too.

Like so many other parts of south London, Brixton has experienced rapid gentrification in the past five years. Sometimes this trend, which is beyond all of our individual control, has meant that people who have been at the very heart of the community for decades have lost touch with their neighbourhood, or felt left behind. People like Birdy and Miriam who have been living in Brixton for 25 years no longer feel able to head into the market in the evenings – they feel that's a place for young hipsters now.

Franco Manca was one of the first of the new restaurants to start the revamp in Brixton Market. The restaurant's aim is to bring true Italian pizza to London. It was started by an Italian who'd re-rooted to Brixton. Our ambition was to share that passion, and that flavour, with older neighbours, and to show how these places are for everyone, not just the young and trendy!

The smile on Richard's (82) face said it all. He said "I've never tasted pizza quite like it, they've all been so welcoming to us." He was right, the Franco Manca team were wonderful and taught everyone – young professional volunteers and their older neighbours – to make proper pizza. They also showed how everyone is always welcome there. Doreen said she couldn't wait to go back, especially at such a reasonable price.