A week at North London Cares…

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NLC's great new Projects Officer, Jessica, reports back from her first week in post - and the varied and inspiring things our amazing volunteers get up to with their older neigbours...

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What a week! It's the Friday of my first week as the new Projects Officer at North London Cares and what a great week it's been.

I was, as most people are starting a new job, full of excitement and anticipation. On Monday morning I made the short commute to work and arrived at our Camden Collective office around 9am, where I was warmly welcomed by Alex, Laura, coffee and pastries. This of course instantly put me at ease and I was ready to get started.

Something I have learnt over the past week is that no two days at NLC are ever the same. Monday was a soft launch into the role: I had a thorough introduction and got to grips with some of the basics - from the team to the local Thai where we shared a team lunch on day one. It was a great way to start the week.

Tuesday introduced me to my first Social Club: Men’s Cooking in Kilburn. Led by a fantastic volunteer, Jeremy, a group of older gentlemen made a corned beef pie, something I was sceptical of at first, but actually looked and smelt delicious. It was topped off with sugar-glazed apples and custard, all made by hand by the gents, from scratch.

I do love to cook and learning different styles and techniques from different people (of every age) is what makes cooking so special. It's a truly communal activity, preparing and eating food, and a wonderful way to spend time with people. The fondness that the group had for one another was very apparent. Although they first came together less than a year ago, if felt like they'd known each other for years. In fact, one older chap has lent me his recipe for polenta lasagne. I'll have to make it before next week and report back.

Wednesday exercised my green fingers and weeding skills, as I visited both an allotment (ahead of Ray Day this Saturday!) and an older neighbour’s garden to introduce one of our amazing volunteers, Jen, as part of our one-to-one Love Your Neighbour project. And on Thursday I met a lovely older lady living in Kentish Town who told another volunteer, Sam, all about life on her old farm.

NLC is a fast paced, energetic and driven environment to work in. I am very excited to be working here, and with all of you, the brilliant volunteers.

I'm looking forward to meeting you all soon!