Company is such a simple thing

Please note: this post is 109 months old and The Cares Family is no longer operational. This post is shared for information only

Lucy and Patrick are part of South London Cares' Love Your Neighbour programme. We introduced them in January, and through Lucy's weekly visits for chats and tea, they're becoming firm friends who benefit equally from one another's company. Read on to hear how such a simple thing as company makes all the difference to everyone, old and young.

Patrick, 85

Patrick has lived in south London since the '50s when he moved from Northern Ireland in his 20s. He's seen so much change in his neighbourhood of West Norwood, and like many older people continues to derive part of his identity from his belonging to the community. Over the past two years he's not been able to get out and about in the community as much as a few aches and pains have got worse. Lucy's visits are now a staple in his social life.

"Lucy is a great girl, we get on really well. We talk about what’s going on in the world. I’ve been telling her about the old days and the changes that I’ve seen since I was a young man.

When I was Lucy's age, the world was a very big place. I grew up on a farm in Northern Ireland. News took a long time to travel, we didn’t know what was going on in the world. I never even had a passport. The world has changed an awful lot – technology for instance. Certain things are difficult to learn – but there’s nothing you can’t master if you try!

It means a lot to me to have her visit. I always look forward to it. Little things like making a cup of tea make a difference. You’re sitting indoors with nothing to do, and someone comes to see you, it’s great. It boosts your morale to see young people helping people out. I really enjoy her company, it lifts my spirits.

For a person of Lucy’s age to find time to come and see me is so brilliant. It’s so comforting to know that there are people like Lucy out there."

Lucy, 28

Amidst the busy city routines we become used to, we look at our screens constantly, are always on the move and find it difficult to switch off from work, our social lives and planning our next moves. It's rare to switch off and take time for a different type of interaction, one which isn't with other young professionals with similar interests and views. Lucy's told us about what she's learnt from Patrick so far through their friendship.

"I was worried about fitting the visits in, but because it's so nearby it’s really easy. Patrick's always concerned that I'm going out of my way to come and see him – but it’s really nice for me to switch off and to not be in front of a computer. It makes me stop for an hour or so and it’s really good for me too.

I think it's about having someone to sit and talk to him for enjoyment, rather than being there for a practical reason. It's so rewarding just knowing how much it means to him. Sometimes I take some cake over, and it really cheered him up. It's really important for everyone to have someone to talk to.

I hadn’t realised at that he’s always been in south east London since he moved to the city. He used to work in pubs just down the road from me in the '50s, so I love hearing about those days. I love getting his opinion on current issues. It’s good to get a different spin on things as I only usually hear from people my age. We often discuss how people's attitudes have changed over the years, and Patrick will say things like “nobody has time for other people” – but South London Cares is an argument against that!"

Lucy and Patrick are one of our fifty-odd Love Your Neighbour matches across south London. You can read more about how to get involved as a volunteer, or how to connect an older neighbour to a local volunteer here.