South London Cares is 2!

Please note: this post is 105 months old and The Cares Family is no longer operational. This post is shared for information only

It’s an exciting day at South London Cares: we’re 2 years old today!
 
When we started up in summer 2014 we were the first replication of an idea begun by our big sister charity North London Cares north of the river. Our aims were simple and ambitious. We wanted to create a community network of young professionals and their older neighbours to tackle isolation and loneliness in our changing city, and to create meaningful friendships across social, generational, digital and cultural divides which would enrich and enhance lives.
 
It’s a proud day, with lots to celebrate. These aims have become reality thanks to the time, care, energy, companionship and kindness of all our south London neighbours. A fun-loving, story-telling, friend-making bunch aged 21 to 101. From Bermondsey to Brixton, from Herne Hill to Streatham Hill and everything in between, our community network continues to grow and strengthen.

In two years we’ve mobilised over 600 young professionals who have already volunteered on our core programmes, hanging out and helping over 900 of their older neighbours. Younger and older neighbours have hung out together at 412 Social Clubs, at cafes and breweries, reading scripts and sharing films, visiting art galleries and TV production companies together. You've danced, and laughed, had a crack at singing, and some of you have dressed up in ridiculous outfits for our parties and shared stories over pints in the pub.

Alongside our social clubs, we’ve connected 166 neighbours for weekly visits and lasting friendships one-to-one through our Love Your Neighbour programme. Every week people like Laura, Emma, Mat and Jack hang out with Rita, Cora, Peter and Roy to share the friendship which can make someone’s day. Something we hear a lot is that despite only knowing one another for a few months or a year, it feels like much longer: “it’s like we’re old friends”.

None of these wonderful activities would be possible without the generous support of our community networks. In the last two years 67 people haven taken on a challenge for South London Cares - from people walking 50km, to triathlons, to the London Marathon, to our older neighbour Richard running 5km around Brockwell Park. Huge thanks go to all our funders and donors who have helped turn our ambitions into reality. We wouldn’t be here without you.

Today’s also a normal day with normal things to do: planning next month’s social clubs, reaching out to new volunteers and visiting that older neighbour who’s having a tough time. Thank you for making this very normal idea, of neighbourliness and community, very special for so many people.

Now for the birthday bumps and to blow out the candles…!