Volunteering with NLC has helped me to better understand London…

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ingaporean Shona spent several months volunteering with North London Cares before she returned to Singapore last month. Here she tells of her experience...

By SHONA LOONG

I have just returned to Singapore after a semester in London, and I had an amazing time volunteering with North London Cares while I was there. As a Geography student, I know that monumental structures don’t define a city, and I knew that I didn’t want to go back to Singapore being acquainted only with the so-called landmarks (Big Ben, Tower Bridge…) that have little to do with everyday life in London. I wanted to experience a city that lives and breathes, rather than one collapsed into the vacant hallways of museums. With that in mind, I thought I’d give volunteering in London a shot, hoping it would help me to get to ‘know’ London better, and chanced upon NLC’s Friday Film Clubs.

I recall being incredibly nervous before my first Film Club! Where I come from, it is disrespectful to address someone older by their first name, and I was still getting used to responding to the ubiquitous “you alright?” and “how are you?” and I wondered if I would get on with people. Well, it turns out that I needn’t have worried. Everyone I met on my first day – both volunteers and members of the Peel Centre where the film clubs are held – were welcoming and friendly.

In the weeks to come, Friday morning Film Clubs would become an integral part of my weekly routine. I loved hearing the members’ stories, which were at turns wistful, happy, melancholic, and triumphant – but always a joy to listen to. I also loved that we never ran out of things to talk about! From food, to dance, to memories of the area – we had intriguing conversations about them all. And people were very keen to learn about Singapore: they were curious about what language we speak, what food we eat, what the weather is like (what is it with you Brits and the weather?), and so on.

Towards the end of my time in the UK, I got to cook a Singaporean meal for my friends at the Peel Centre – a pretty daunting task because I’d never cooked for anyone besides myself before! It was a hectic morning, but – thanks to the help of the other volunteers – we pulled it off. We had a three-course meal of roti john (a Malay omelette sandwich), char kway teow (stir-fried rice noodles), and tang yuan (sweet glutinous rice balls) that day. I was initially afraid that the members would not come around to Singaporean food, but the response was heartwarming: they enjoyed the food, and some even asked for seconds.

Of all the lovely conversations I’ve had at the Film Club, one in particular stands out for me. One Friday, I was speaking to 87-year-old Lil, and found out that she is still incredibly active in her community: she volunteers, serves on committees, and has even trained to care for Alzheimer’s patients. And all the while I thought I was the one volunteering! Lil is such an inspiration to me, and I have really enjoyed having the chance to forge such unlikely friendships through the Friday Film Club.

Through the Friday Film Clubs, I have heard so many stories about London; rich, textured stories that often have to do with members’ memories of Camden and Islington; stories that tell how the area has changed, while in some ways remaining the same. As I listened, it became clear that everyone has their own story to tell about this area. I now feel like I can better appreciate how people attach meaning to North London in such diverse ways.

If you are thinking of volunteering with North London Cares: do it! There are such amazing events planned for the summer (wish I could be there!), and you’re bound to have a great time.