Margaret and Amy: new neighbourliness

Please note: this post is 117 months old and The Cares Family is no longer operational. This post is shared for information only

We introduced Margaret and Amy to one another in February. They live within fifteen minutes of each other in Oval and have now enjoyed five months of new neighbourliness and lots of laughter! As we celebrate our first year, we wanted to share their story so far.

Amy signed up to be part of our Love Your Neighbour scheme within our first six months of South London Cares starting up. Having lived in London for a few years, she wanted to spend a few hours of her spare time each month with an older neighbour in her community.

"I go to see Margaret every other week for an hour or so. She has good days and bad days, and her physical problems sometimes get to her. She speaks to people who talk to her as if she’s past it but she has such a good sense of humour about it. We've been in hysterics –she loves to laugh. We’ve had some really lovely times together.

We’re both quite chatty so we’ve never had any awkwardness about what to talk about. I'm from Eastbourne where there's a large older population and a bigger sense of community. It's been great to get to know somebody in my new neighbourhood. I tell people I’m visiting my neighbour and they become quite jealous – they don't know their neighbours! Being more connected to somebody older is lovely. Most people who I work with are in their 20s and 30s, and to talk to somebody who knew London at a different time with an interesting and varied life is great."

Margaret moved to London from Ireland, and has lived in Oval for around 30 years. Now 85, life moves at a slower pace but with as many laughs as possible.

"She’s a lovely girl – we have a good chat and have a laugh. We chat away and talk about the good times when I was young and she enjoys that. She cheers me up. I used to talk to people all day – but now I can’t get out as much. I love people to stop by and chat. I'm feeling a lot less isolated. This city has become very lonely. The London I knew in the 60s when I moved here was very special. I now feel a bit more connected to the younger generation."

Amy has also begun supporting South London Cares through fundraising. Amazingly, she's part of the team of supporters walking 50km in September for the Thames Path Challenge. More connections through Love Your Neighbour, like hers with Margaret, are made possible by this kind of support.

Whether you want to get to know an older neighbour, or get to know your walking boots, sign up below to be part of it!