Legacy
Legacy
Please note: this post is 57 months old and The Cares Family is no longer operational. This post is shared for information only
This photo was taken of Love Your Neighbour coordinator, Eleanor, in our office at the beginning of March. It was sent to the rest of the team as an amusing comment on the fact she had spent the morning alone, which was by complete chance and very rare. Little did we know that a few weeks later this would become the daily reality for all of us. Social distancing and self-isolation - our new normal.
We are blessed to have work we care about but, truth be told, the team here at South London Cares have found the last month tough going. Adapting to new working and living conditions and not being around each other every day has been a real struggle. We've missed seeing older and younger neighbours in person and rejoicing in each other's energy, enthusiasm, and love. Accepting the enormity of this threat to the health and wellbeing of our community has also been hard, and we might yet be getting our heads around that for some time to come. We are normally a happy, lively, sociable bunch, so the last month really has been rather sobering.
Fortunately, in fact very fortunately, we have been sustained by the very people for whom we exist. Every single one of us has been continually inspired and uplifted by the amazing kindness on display between older and younger neighbours, the tireless work and dedication of our community partners, and the unbelievable and unrelenting generosity of our supporters.
Over the last four weeks, we have received hundreds and hundreds of individual offers from younger neighbours, determined to ensure their older neighbours have the support they need whilst in self-isolation. Check out Jade's insightful and motivated message:
'It's great to see South London Cares doing so much in light of the current crisis. I'd like to volunteer over the phone, if you're still looking for people? I can also volunteer with shopping / dog walking / practical support in Lambeth. Would you mind if I share the email with my networks on social media, so I can share the call for ideas for workshops etc?'
Having created the idea of a monthly #alonetogether activity pack and asked for contributions, we received a barrage of letters, poems, art, and various other wonderful gifts and submissions. Syed spread the word to his friends around the world, which led to them sending us messages of solace and hope. Angie wrote a heart-warming letter about her upbringing in Leeds and some of her favourite places. And the oh-so talented Ellie sent us some beautiful illustrations full of colour and life!
Love Your Neighbour volunteers have been safely delivering food and other essentials to their older neighbours. This is Laura dropping some supplies to her match, Betty. These pairs of pals have also thrown themselves into our Phone-A-Friend pilot, just like John and Jemma, and provided us with lots of useful feedback and ideas. This will ensure that others joining the programme will have plenty to talk about, many stories to share, and the confidence to discuss the intricacies of each other's situations.
Increases in age tend to bring increases in wisdom, and chatting with older neighbours about their experiences and opinions has left us filled with reassurance and understanding. Allie told us:
"I think this is a chance for things to be reversed and for people to think about others rather than themselves. There are good people in the world and hopefully this will make a few more! Changes do come in a way we don't expect; who could have thought that this would change everything? But we're in London and we've been here before, so to speak. London has survived a great many things and it will survive a great many more". 🙏
Meanwhile, Social Club neighbours have embraced the move to Zoom with carefree abandon, despite their homes and the inner workings of their lives being on display for all to see! They have turned up to sing, dance, draw, chat, joke, and laugh over a cuppa and have, of course, been bringing their pets along to the party!! Check out Lizzie, Adam, Peter, and Darret with the rest of the gang at our inaugural virtual Desert Island Discs...
The process has not been easy for everyone though. The internet can be a confusing and scary place, and bravely navigating the pitfalls is doubly hard when you can’t have someone next to you whilst you learn. Once again, the network has been there when most needed. Younger neighbours, like Tom, Annette, Joel, and Carla have volunteered their knowledge and skills to help neighbours (and us!) explore and discover our new world, and ensure we can continue to safely and successfully connect with one another.
Social Club regular Poona recently attended her second Zoom Clinic and told us: "I was feeling down yesterday, but it makes me happy. This makes me happy." We reckon Liv looks pretty happy too!
Facilitators and club leaders have also thrown themselves into the new set-up. Fizz led our first Sofa Sing-a-long and summarised it perfectly: ‘That was awesome!’. And then there was Gurpreet, of Brixton Yoga, who led our first virtual Chair Yoga and did such a sterling job that there were whispers of ‘transcendence’ in the chat! He even got his dad involved, partly to help with cueing but mainly to demonstrate who the boss was: ‘Get your shoulders down, dad!’
The response to our Crowdfunder appeal has left us completely overwhelmed. Like most charities, our fundraising plans took a big hit when upcoming challenge events were cancelled. We knew our network was full of kindness and generosity so we thought we’d ask if people would be willing to help us out, not really knowing what to expect. The result has been nothing short of miraculous. Not only have the donations continued to flood in, but the messages of support accompanying them have been so encouraging they have moved us all to tears, quite literally.
Lisa said: ‘To everyone at South London Cares, you are doing a smashing job! I miss seeing my neighbour and I hope that this can go towards helping others in the community stay connected at this difficult time.’
Alice wrote: ‘A shout out to all the neighbours who are bravely staying at home and we are thinking of you and I'm so glad SLC is helping keep people connected during this tough (and very weird) time.’
The campaign has also received additional contributions and matched funding from major donors, and we have secured grants from local government, trusts, and emergency funds. We are so humbled and so, so thankful.
Over the last week we have also received some celebrity love! Actor and Comedian Daniel Lawrence Taylor stepped into the bear pit that is Celebrity Mastermind and, having nominated us as his chosen charity, performed brilliantly to raise awareness and some gratefully received funds. Grantchester actor (and pretty decent fisherman!) Robson Green recorded a special message for neighbours at our Script Reading club (thoughtfully suggested by younger neighbour Emma). And our first virtual Desert Island Discs was commended by none other than James Taylor after neighbours boogied on down to one of his songs!
South London Cares is not alone in this level of support. The actions of communities across the country have been overwhelmingly positive. People want to help each other - common humanity is very much alive!! 😍 This has also been confirmed through the many conversations we have had with our partners. They too have received unbelievable offers of help from volunteers, and have been working hard to adapt and ensure they can continue to support vulnerable members of our community. This was perfectly demonstrated when we delivered some items to Caroline in Brixton this week - she was proudly wearing a GoodGym t-shirt and had Handy Fix from Age UK Lambeth there making an emergency repair! Knowing that we are all in this together is as comforting as it is motivating.
We’ve also been roused by the strength and dedication of our friends and colleagues across the Cares Family. The five charities have communicated more frequently, listened more attentively, and spoken more openly than ever before. Maintaining an environment of warmth and compassion provides the space and opportunity to speak truths and honour emotions, which is critical to everyone’s wellbeing, especially at a time like this. So, as well as exchanging ideas, opinions, and resources we’ve also shared tears, frustrations, humour, and general hysteria! There is no doubt that challenge and adversity can generate growth and bond souls.
These examples barely touch the surface of the outpouring we have witnessed. In fact, there has been so much positivity, proactivity, energy and kindness on display that we have been inundated with media requests wanting to know more. We, which means all of us, are clearly doing something very important.
As challenging as it is, the current situation has helped to provide us with insight and perspective. It has highlighted the things that really, truly matter. Like our National Health Service and the genuine heroes who work there, courageously stepping forward day after day to provide care and save lives despite the risk to themselves.
It has also helped us to appreciate the smaller things, such as (safely) sharing conversation and kindness with our neighbours, special time spent with loved ones, the beauty of the natural world, and the joys of creative endeavour. There is so much to be grateful for, especially when you make a point of looking for it, and that is exactly what you have all helped us to do through your commitment, creativity, and community spirit. Just check out the photo above showing our stunning city from the equally stunning Brockwell Park, which was only noticed thanks to this inspired awareness. And the photo below is of an impromptu hat party we threw to celebrate our Head of Programmes, Jasmin’s, birthday - an image displaying fun and friendship, although it definitely focuses on our ‘inner’ beauty!
Easter is a celebration of new life. That might feel strange given the nature of this health crisis, but there is a lot to be said for finding love in new endeavours and resurrecting a new found appreciation of existing ones.
Thank you for being there for us, and for each other. Enjoy the weekend responsibly and we hope you are able to embrace the spirit and the beauty that is all around you x❤️x
P.S. Our Crowdfunder appeal ends on Tuesday 28th April so it's not too late to donate - just click here. Thank you!
