Legacy
Legacy
Please note: this post is 102 months old and The Cares Family is no longer operational. This post is shared for information only
Amber and Irene both live and have grown up in the same patch of Walworth, and both feel strongly rooted in south London. So when we introduced them as part of our Love Your Neighbour programme, we knew they'd be sharing stories and perspectives in no time.
It can be easy to feel lacking in connections to your neighbours and to your community. Our Love Your Neighbour programme is here to change that. Irene and Amber are two of our 60 Love Your Neighbour matches, south Londoners from different generations hanging out and helping each other to get along in our rapidly changing city.
With 91 years in Walworth so far, Irene's seen it all. She was married in Walworth, brought her family up in Walworth, worked in Walworth and retired in Walworth. Irene's enjoyed sharing stories about Walworth in days gone by through getting to know Amber and having new company each week.
Oh Amber - she’s lovely, I like her a lot. It's nice to know someone nearby who's happy to help you out if you need it, it makes me feel safe. She's really kind – she always phones me and sees if I need anything. I feel more in touch with my community as it is now.
I do love young people. They have different attitudes to us older lot, and so much of our language is different! They know all the new words – I like all that. There are so many different words from what we used in my days – haven't things changed!
Amber has been part of SLC's choir social club since the start of this year, and has made loads of new friends with her older neighbours like Doris and Richard. She wanted to get to know an older neighbour one to one to hang out and share quality time with someone she wouldn't usually meet. Not everyone can get out to our social clubs, so it's a really valuable way to spend a couple of spare hours each week. She told us how she's found it so far.
It's been really lovely getting to know Irene. She’s really welcoming and really sweet. When I visit her we spend a couple of hours nattering, laughing, drinking tea and eating cake! Sometimes I help sort out her paperwork, or bits and pieces she's having difficulty with.
Irene has a really lovely insight into things. She’s quite open minded about things, and it's really refreshing to meet someone like that of her generation. It’s really nice to get to know someone who’s seen the changes in the area over so many years. She tells me about what it was like living in houses without baths, what it was like walking to work and what life was like when she was my age. I loved hearing about her wedding as she got married in the church at the end of her road!
I've learnt a lot from Irene, and going to see her has really made a positive impact on me. Even if she’s down about something she’ll turn it into a positive and laugh about it. Lots of people my age moan and catastrophize – but her light heartedness always cheers me up! I always look forward to seeing her every week. We're hoping to go out soon – possibly for afternoon tea! Watch out Walworth...
I've met so many lovely, like minded people through South London Cares. I think that before I started I was becoming slightly cynical and leaning towards thinking that my generation were a bit self centred and out of touch with their elders. However, SLC proves that there are so many young people who are caring and passionate about putting themselves aside for a moment and helping others. In a world full of Kardashians, social media and selfies that's hard to find!
Talking of selfies, here's one of me and Irene (I don't think she really understood the concept, but hey!)
We look forward to hearing more about how Amber and Irene spend time in Walworth, and you can help make that possible! By registering and voting for South London Cares in the Aviva Community Fund, you could give neighbours like Amber and Irene a special night to remember in just a few clicks. Help us win £10,000 for Love Your Neighbour dinners here.