Legacy
Legacy
Please note: this post is 34 months old and The Cares Family is no longer operational. This post is shared for information only
If you’re dreading the approach of 14th February and the sight of lovehearts and roses makes your stomach chun, you’ll be pleased to know we’re avoiding all romantic clichés in this blog. Instead we’re using this Valentine’s Day (or, more appropriately, Palentine’s!) as an excuse to celebrate the wonderful connection and friendship shared on our Love Your Neighbour programme, particularly that of Camberwell match Maria and Amadea.
Older neighbour, Maria, and younger neighbour, Amadea, were introduced through our Love Your Neighbour programme back in 2015. Maria is originally from Kerry in Ireland, but moved to London in 1955 and has lived in Lambeth for most of that time. Meanwhile, Amadea is from the area and lives nearby in Nunhead. “It's amazing to make a friend later on in life,” Amadea told us, “You assume that making friends is something that finishes after school or university”.
In the past five years they have spent over 180 hours together, nattering away over cups of tea about Victorian crime novels they’ve both read and taking walks around the local park. “We get on very well,” Maria told us, “we like a lot of the same things, and have things in common. She's a lovely person.”
As the years have gone by, their friendship has grown and cemented. They’ve learnt more about one another through visits to significant places, like the church in Clapham where Maria was married more than 70 years ago. Amadea is now used to Maria ridiculing her fashion choices and Maria has attempted to improve Amadea’s dress sense by gifting her hand-knitted jumpers (as modelled in this photo !). Their conversations have become more dynamic and personal. During the various lockdowns, while the pair both missed being able to hug, they kept in touch via doorstep exchanges. Amadea would often cycle round with a newspaper for Maria and be repaid with freshly picked veg from Maria's garden. Amadea felt that ironically they spent more time together than ever, even if it was over the phone:
“At first we just had short check-in calls, but now we have longer chats over the phone, which has given us the time to tell each other stories, for instance about when Maria first moved to London. Maria has a wicked memory, and will always ask about my plans… “You were with your parents this weekend, how was it?”
For Amadea, her friendship with Maria has also challenged what she would expect of the older generation. There’s a 56-year age gap between them, so when the pair have had discussions about more controversial subjects, Amadea initially expected Maria to hold certain beliefs, but her preconceptions were thrown out the window. “She has such an openness to societal changes,” Amadea reflected, “If anything, she's more open than me!”
Maria’s knowledge of south London has also enriched Amadea’s knowledge of her local area: “She knows Camberwell, Peckham and south London so much better than me and I thought I knew the streets!” For Maria, spending time with someone younger also makes a difference: “I love young people. They are full of life, hope and happiness.” Amadea’s company has also enabled her to access her local community, particularly her church. “It comforts me and helps me to get outside the house. I like knowing the priest and seeing familiar faces.”
For the two of them, their connection has been strengthened by the time they dedicate to their friendship and their mutual respect for one another. “South London Cares has done a great job of matching me and Amadea,” Maria told us, “We get on like a house on fire!”. In fact, Amadea even said we should sell our matching algorithm to dating apps: “It's a match made in heaven.”
It sounds like the Love Your Neighbour cupids have done pretty well, if we do say so ourselves! Although, we really can’t take credit for the wonderful friendship Amadea and Maria have built over the past five years - that’s all down to them. Are you looking for a new friend this Palentine’s Day? We’re still looking for more younger and older neighbours to match across Southwark and Lambeth, so if you’d like to get involved, you can sign up here if you’re an older neighbour (over 65) or here if you’re a younger neighbour. If you have any questions or would like to speak to us, give us a call on 0207 118 0404 (option 3).