Legacy
Legacy
Please note: this post is 68 months old and The Cares Family is no longer operational. This post is shared for information only
Last Saturday, hundreds of old friends and new, chatted, laughed and grooved their way through the afternoon in celebration of South London Cares’ 5th Birthday. Peter, Poona and over 100 other south London neighbours brought the spirit of festivals to East Dulwich with their fabulous moves, colourful outfits and contagious party spirit.
As the sound of raucous laughter shook the walls of the Goose Green Centre, it seemed hard to fathom that just 5 years ago we were heading to Stockwell for our first ever social club; equipped with just a handful of neighbours but a boatload of ambition.
Since then, we've belly-danced, beat-boxed and brick-layed our way through 1,200 social clubs, and mobilised 7,000 older and younger neighbours to share time, laughter and new experiences together.
As the afternoon went on, everyone sipped on Summer Sangrias, and feasted on homemade Jamaican Patties, long-standing volunteer Priyanka (27) said: "I feel so lucky to be part of South London Cares. I knew there would be fun, humour and connection in store, but the sense of celebration is something else!"
And, Anita (75) wasn't ready to leave: "I can’t remember when I last had this much fun... I didn’t want the dancing to stop - can we do this every week?" Unfortunately not Anita, but only 365 days to wait until the next one.
A special shout-out goes to Liv who brought the glitz and the glamour for yet another year at our Facepainting Corner; and Tamsin for giving up her Saturday to capture all the special moments on camera.
Finally, a huge thank you goes out to all the local businesses that donated a prize for our raffle: 200 Rye Lane, Canova Hall, Gipsy Hill Brewery, Beefeater Gin, Cecily Vessey, Ciaté, Garden Museum, Honest Burgers, Crystal Palace FC, Dulwich Hamlet FC and Georgia Bosson. Not only have you enabled us to raise funds for future social clubs, but you've also helped to increase a feeling of connection to the local area. And if that's not enough, look at the joy on Regina's face...
Bring on year 6!