Winter Wellbeing: the connections we've made so far

Please note: this post is 89 months old and The Cares Family is no longer operational. This post is shared for information only

We’re three months into our Winter Wellbeing project and, just before we all clock off for Christmas, we’d like to share with you the difference your support and generosity has made this winter.

So far, we have spoken to over 600 older neighbours about the project and keeping warm this winter. A further 239 have received deeper interventions with help including fuel grants, social actives, keeping the home energy efficient, benefits advice, and delivering warm clothing. 10 fuel grants have been handed out and 89 people have received warm items.

And it’s all thanks to our strong connections with GP practices, pharmacists, sheltered housing units and other local organisations. Not to mention the huge amount of support we received for the Big Give Christmas Challenge.

David, 71:

Initially David was introduced to South London Cares by a friend who suggested he might like to get involved with our social clubs. As soon as we had sent him the programme of events he signed up to Choir and Men’s Pub Club. After chatting with him about the Winter Wellbeing project he shared with us his troubles keeping warm at home. We were able to deliver him a blanket, hat, gloves and flask.

Maria, 80:

We met Maria at a flu jab clinic, she said that she was warm enough and had no worries about winter but her only concern was that she couldn’t get her computer working properly. She had tried different companies but said they were all asking for £100 to just come out. We were able to link her up with an organisation called Ability Net, who do free IT support home visits for older people in the UK.

Agatha, 68:

We met Agatha at her sheltered housing coffee morning. She was hesitant at first to get involved, but after some encouragement from the team she was excited to meet new people at our free social clubs. She joined us at The Ritzy to watch Murder on the Orient Express that very same week, and also met up with her younger neighbours at our Kennington Pub Club.

Saffina, 76:

We met Saffina though our Winter Wellbeing project last year. At the time she was struggling to get out her house, and we helped her with a grant to heat her home, along with some warm clothing. This year we caught up with her again, and we were thrilled to hear she’s now able to get out and about. She has now joined in with our social clubs – leading the dancing at our Winter Party, and we’ve also been able to refer her to some specialist organisations for further help this winter. 

We’ll be wrapping up the project at the end of February, so until then please keep the support coming! Give us a call on 0207 1180404, or email [email protected], if you know anyone over 65 living in Southwark or Lambeth who may benefit from:

-       a fuel grant for those worried about paying those big winter bills

-       a blanket, woolly hat, gloves or socks for people feeling the cold

-       free social activities, including dances, technology workshop, brunch clubs, and visits to galleries and museums

-       a weekly visit from a younger neighbour for friendship and company through our Love Your Neighbour programme

-       help connecting to other organisations who can help with finances, benefits, home repairs and energy saving.

Thank you and merry Christmas!