Legacy
Legacy
Please note: this post is 94 months old and The Cares Family is no longer operational. This post is shared for information only
Each month, as part of our social clubs programme, we organise activities like script reading, reggae nights and technology workshops across Southwark and Lambeth. We also arrange ‘back to work’ visits. These types of clubs encourage businesses to share their work with their neighbours - and with every visit, Stella, John and co become more confident in navigating our rapidly changing city.
Team London Bridge has been instrumental in helping South London Cares to forge partnerships to make these types of events possible. Through their networks and introductions, in the last eight months we’ve been fortunate enough to have collaborated with PwC, Norton Rose Fulbright, Montagu and The Future Factory.
PwC first invited Frances, Helmut and the gang to a Christmas party in December 2016, which saw older and younger London Bridge neighbours sharing stories and jokes over a glass or two of festive fizz. They have since kindly invited us back for a tour of the office and a presentation about PwC, which included a hands on business-building workshop. What’s more, there’s also a Pimm’s party planned for the end of this month. On leaving one of the workshops, 80-year-old Peter told us: "I've come away from this afternoon feeling utterly invigorated - spending time with these young people has made me feel so in touch!"
Since that first Christmas party, PwC have also supported South London Cares in a variety of other wonderful ways, such as fundraising through Ride The Nation and volunteering their skills to help with our long term strategy planning.
During the winter months, PwC and Norton Rose Fulbright also went the extra mile to find ways to help their neighbour’s feel valued, vibrant and visible by donating hundreds of gifts to our Winter Wellbeing project. From much needed blankets, hats and scarves, to special treats like chocolates and biscuits, they gave gifts to older neighbours who find the winter months challenging.
Norton Rose Fulbright also invited thirty of their older neighbours over to their riverside office for a special, January-blues busting afternoon tea. While chatting away to her younger neighbours at the event, older neighbour Pat, 78, said: "I can't tell you what this afternoon has meant to me – what a joy to be made to feel so important."
Thanks to other introductions from Team London Bridge, Montagu now regularly welcome their neighbours over for lunch, and The Future Factory invited Tony, Valerie and their fellow neighbours over to spend time with their team whilst they worked – providing a hands-on understanding of their creative industry. Colleagues such as Priyanka from The Future Factory have now also become regular South London Cares volunteers, and built lasting friendships in their local communities.
These new relationships have enabled us to connect people to their neighbours, and bring the London Bridge community closer together. In the words of older neighbour Valerie: “It's made me look at these big city buildings with a different eye, now I know the people inside are so nice!".
Thank you to Team London Bridge for all their ongoing support of South London Cares. If you’re interested in welcoming your older neighbours into your workplace, please contact Charlie on [email protected]