The weather outside is frightful

Please note: this post is 139 months old and The Cares Family is no longer operational. This post is shared for information only

This week the weather has taken a predictable turn. It’s colder, darker and not quite as nice to get out. We’re constantly aware of this and live up to the expectations of reserved Brits casually interested in chatting about the weather.

Our climate fascinates us. According to a 2010 study, nearly 70 per cent of Brits check the weather forecast daily. The allure appears to increase as we get older, with over 80 per cent of over-55s checking daily, compared to 42 per cent of 18 to 24-year-olds. Young people don’t have as much riding on the weather as our older neighbours.

It’s no surprise that the winter months can be the most isolating for older and less confident people in our communities. With shorter daylight hours, reduced mobility outside and windy, wet conditions, we’re all subconsciously aware that it’s no fun for some of our neighbours. We heard it ourselves last Friday: “I won’t be going outside at all this weekend if it stays like this.” A reduction in interactions and fewer visits out can augment loneliness and anxiety – it can be a difficult time of year.

So what can you do to help? During the next few months we will connect young people volunteering to spend time with their older neighbours for shared evenings of fun and companionship at our Social Clubs. We’ll continue to recruit volunteers for our special Love Your Neighbour project to support particularly vulnerable older neighbours one-to-one. And our Winter Project will aim to reach out to around 2000 older people in Southwark and Lambeth to connect them to services and support, or provide blankets or thermometers.

All of these activities and interactions aim to help reduce isolation and loneliness, improve wellbeing and build bridges between neighbours of different ages and cultures in communities across Southwark and Lambeth.

Tuesday 2nd December, 6-8pm: Film night – Elephant and Castle

Thursday 4th December, 6pm-8pm: Quiz and Games night – Kennington

Friday 5th December, 2-4pm: Music and movement – Camberwell

Saturday 6th December, 11am-2pm: New Tech Workshop – Brixton

Tuesday 9th December, 6-8pm: Christmas party, Walworth

Thursday 11th December, 6-8pm: Popcorn and Film Night – Kennington

Friday 12th December, 6-8pm: Festive Arts & Crafts – Stockwell

Saturday 13th December, 12-3pm: Baking & Board Games – Brixton

Sunday 14th December, 2-6pm: Vintage tea party and film afternoon – Bermondsey


Tuesday 16th December, 12-3pm: Special Christmas party – Borough


Wednesday 17th December, 12-3pm: Christmas lunch – East Dulwich


Thursday 18th December, 5-8pm: Christmas party – Kennington

Saturday 20th December, 2-4pm: Christmas party – Brixton