Legacy
Legacy
Please note: this post is 90 months old and The Cares Family is no longer operational. This post is shared for information only
Meet Elizabeth. She's been a regular at events since first coming along to North London Cares' monthly Film Club held at the Marchmont Community Centre over a year ago. Keen to chat to her neighbours and happy to get involved, Elizabeth instantly found a further sense of community, belonging and value through that social club - soon enough, her diary started to look full!
Last week in Kentish Town she took part in an afternoon of scientific discovery, run by some wonderful young students from UCL. On the way out, as she often does, she asked for a quick word...
"Have you got some leaflets? The other day, I got talking to someone on the bus. I often say hello to people I sit next to on the bus, I think it's better than ignoring each other.
It turns out this person I spoke to hadn't had a proper conversation with anyone in two whole weeks. I invited them along and next time I'm in that situation, I want one of your leaflets with me!"
You might not always think it when on your commute, but London moves fast. So fast in fact that two weeks can go by very, very quickly. There are people in this wonderful city that sadly, do not have the social connections that so many benefit from. They might not speak to anyone for 14 days or often a lot longer. The pace of life in cities is what makes it so different for older and younger neighbours. And, sometimes it takes our older neighbours like Elizabeth to point out to us that slowing down every now and then to connect with those around you, on the bus, in the street, or indeed at a social club can make such a difference.
Elizabeth's words and actions are inspiring. It's brilliant that not only does she contribute and gain so much from being around her neighbours at the events she attends, but that she wants to share her joy, conversation and friendship with others.
Safe to say, she went away with some leaflets in her bag. Look out for her on your next London bus journey, I've no doubt she'll want to say hello!