Legacy
Legacy
Please note: this post is 116 months old and The Cares Family is no longer operational. This post is shared for information only
It was election day, 2010 - May 6th - and I was a Council candidate in Islington. It was a sunny day, and I was knocking on my neighbours' doors, rallying round votes in what we knew was going to be a tight contest. At one door, in Tufnell Park, I met a man in his 80s, Fred. As I asked whether he'd been out to vote, Fred told me his predicament: his feet had been failing him of late, he hadn't been out of his house for 3 months, and he didn't have friends or family around him to help him get out.
I'd spotted a wheelchair behind Fred and cheekily asked whether, if I pushed him, Fred would be happy to be wheeled to the voting place so he could perform his democratic right. Fred was delighted. But as we were out, Fred told me that all he really craved was a haircut. It had been months since he'd had a trim and, in his own words, Fred felt he was losing his dignity.
Of course, the least I could do was offer to return the next day and wheel Fred to the barber shop. When we got there Mario, my long time hairdresser and, as it turned out, Fred's too, recognised us both. "Alex, hello mate. Fred! Alex, is Fred your Grandad?" It struck me then and has struck me ever since that barber shops are hubs of community.
While Fred was in Mario's chair, I learned a lot about the man. 40 years previously, he'd set up and then run 'Escapade', the fancy dress shop in Camden Town - my favourite local shop growing up in north London. 10 years before that, he'd been on the cruise ships. He'd been a performer. He played at the Palladium. He hung out with the superstars of his generation. I learned a lot about Fred that afternoon - about his life, about my local area, and about the community spirit that so many people think has disappeared.
But without that chance encounter on election day 2010, I would never have met my neighbour Fred. It struck me that there must be a lot of people who could do with a hand to get a haircut, or with the shopping, and a lot of younger local people in the local area who could help make it happen - if only it was made easy, accessible and fun for people to get involved.
Over the next year, I planned North London Cares - and we launched amid rioting a year later by mobilising young people to clear up after the trouble.
Whenever it suits you, you can spend a few hours with your older neighbours and share experiences, a laugh and a cup of tea.
5 years on there are now 4 ways to be part of the Cares family:
1. Social Clubs: These groups activities are a great way to connect with older people and the community. Whenever it suits you, you can spend a few hours with your older neighbours and share experiences, a laugh and a cup of tea. With Social Clubs ranging from film nights, to baking clubs, to tech workshops, you are sure to find something that helps everyone stay valued, vibrant and visible. There's no pressure to be there week in, week out; just come whenever you have some time spare!
2. Love Your Neighbour: Just like Fred, lots of our older neighbours struggle to get out of the house to see friends or family, or to attend North London Cares' Social Clubs. Others find it hard to get to the shops, or carry out odd jobs, and some could do with a little extra company at home - a new freindship. Love Your Neighbour enables older neighbours and volunteers to be matched one-on-one for a deeper connection. Our volunteers, like Mike, often find a lasting mutual friendship.
3. NLC Organisers: If you can afford to give a bit of time each week, then becoming an NLC Organiser may be just the ticket. Our Organisers receive training and support to run our regular Social Clubs across Camden and Islington. Alternatively, if you've got your own idea for a new Social Club, we can support you to make the dream a reality in your local area - as with Alexandra, who runs our Swiss Cottage Book Club.
4. Become a Fundraising hero: North London Cares is a charity which relies on the generosity of our community to make our work possible. You can support all our projects by making a donation, holding a fundraising event or taking on a challenge. Every penny you give, or raise, will tackle loneliness and isolation in north London, and help people to form new bonds in a rapidly changing modern world. You can see a bunch of ideas in this blog.
To join the Cares Family, or find out more about how you can make a difference, please fill out the form to the right and we'll be in touch very soon. You can also follow us on Twitter and Facebook for daily stories from our community...