Legacy
Legacy
Please note: this post is 82 months old and The Cares Family is no longer operational. This post is shared for information only
We introduced Clapham neighbours Yolanda, 73, and Sarah, 25, two years ago through our Love Your Neighbour programme. Ever since, they’ve developed a close and special friendship, meeting once a week to swap stories, gossip, vent and “put the world to rights”.
In between discussing the weather (it’s too cold in Sarah’s office, and too hot in Yolanda’s home), Yolanda’s magnolia tree (“Isn’t it wonderful?!”, they both proclaimed), and the World Cup (“we don’t care for football but love the World Cup atmosphere”), Sarah and Yolanda reflected on what makes their friendship so unique.
Yolanda, 73
When I heard about Love Your Neighbour, I was having a particularly bad time. I was feeling very down. Weeks went by without seeing anybody. My son would come round and take me out for a coffee or dinner, but then I’d be on my own for another two weeks. Then I met Sarah. Knowing that somebody is coming round to see you every week is wonderful.
The most enjoyable way to spend time together is to just sit down and have a relaxed chat, and have a bit of a laugh at things. Sometimes if I’m a bit down, I can pour everything out, and it lifts me.
Madeleine, Clapham Common: Yolanda and Sarah’s favourite local spot to grab a coffee together.
I don’t know if myself and Sarah have things in common, but we certainly understand each other. We are different nationalities and we’ve had different upbringings – everything is different – but we understand each other.
Sarah is so friendly, kind and cheerful. She listens to all my nonsense! And she’s just there – every Tuesday I know she’ll be here. It’s lovely.
Young people like Sarah still have their life in front of them, and have lots of plans. It’s nice to be around someone so positive and busy. She makes me feel younger!
Sarah, 25
London is such a busy place, filled with lots of people. Despite this, it’s really easy to feel alone. You see so many people doing all of these things, and you feel so removed from it sometimes.
Meeting Yolanda has made a huge difference to me. We have great catch-ups. It’s nice to sit down, and – being so busy at work – just talk without any distractions. When we sit down and chat, we just sit down and chat and it’s really, really lovely. This summer we’ve been sitting in the garden, and in the last two years we’ve also been out to some of our favourite local cafes: Madeleine, Patisserie Valerie, and Biscuiteers on the Northcote Road.
It’s nice just chatting, and sometimes venting to each other! Last week we were both really grumpy. We were venting to each other about how grumpy we were, and then we both felt better. Ha!
We have similar viewpoints on the world. There’s not much we don’t discuss: what’s happening in the news, what happened at the weekend, how grumpy we are are or how happy we are….
Biscuiteers on the Northcote Road: Another of Sarah and Yolanda’s favourite local spots.
Yolanda has a wicked sense of humour, and is so on the ball with everything. Nothing passes her without her noticing it. Once a teacher, always a teacher! I also think she’s wonderful for being so positive about everything, even when she’s feeling down. Yolanda’s got such a rational head on and always gets on with it. I learn from Yolanda and respect her. She’s got a sensible way of dealing with things.
I love hearing Yolanda’s stories. I find them so interesting. Hanging out with somebody a little older than you means you get a great perspective on things. Yolanda has lived for longer than me, and has had so many different experiences. It means I really trust her judgement.
Yolanda and Sarah are one of over sixty Love Your Neighbour matches – south Londoners who wouldn't usually have met, but who can gain a lot from knowing one another. Find out more about Love Your Neighbour here, and apply to get involved here.