Surviving Winter: NLC distributes £4,200 to our neighbours in need

Please note: this post is 143 months old and The Cares Family is no longer operational. This post is shared for information only

For the past few motnhs, North London Cares has been working on an ambitious project in partnership with Islington Council, supported by the Department for Health and the London Community Foundation, to help keep our older neighbours warm, healthy, connected and active during these bitterly cold months.

As part of that project, in which we've also partnered with Age UK Islington and other local community groups, our brilliant volunteers have knocked on over 900 doors and spoken to hundreds of our neighbours about how they can be of assistance this winter.

Those conversations, and the actions that follow, have really helped put people at ease.

Our volunteers have escorted people to the doctor. They've done the weekly shop for people who struggle to get out. They've taken blankets and cold and carbon monoxide alarms to those suffering the cold.

Some have helped others get their boilers fixed or serviced by the council. Others have helped fix doors and windows. They've distributed hampers donated by the Islington Tribune. And they've continued to host twice weekly social clubs to help people get out and spend time with others, even during these shorter, darker days.

Our campaign even featured on BBC London News in January:

And now, thanks to the amazing London Community Foundation, we've also distributed £4,200 to help those most in need in our community to cope with the dramatic increases in living costs in recent months, and in particular with the rising cost of fuel.

Those grants, of up to £500 each, will help Jim, Mary, Inez, Carlinda, Harry, Angela, Lil, Ronald and Nitsa at a difficult time. They can be put towards heating bills, improvements in the home, clothes, blankets and other items that help keep the cold at bay during this especially long winter.

Over the final few weeks of winter, particularly with the possibility of snow as late as Easter, our volunteers will once again be out speaking to as many people as possible, trying to ensure they remain healthy and active, and helping us identify people who could benefit from further winter grants.