"These clubs have been a lifeline for me, they've definitely stopped me going off my rails in the last few months!"
Sarath attended North London Cares social clubs between 2017 and 2023 - joining literally hundreds of activities with his younger neighbours. Before the pandemic hit, Sarath could usually be found at our regular Wednesday evening Kentish Town club. But after 2020, Sarath got closer to our community, coming along to an incredible 99 virtual social clubs in 12 months.
"I live alone in a sheltered housing complex, normally I would have people in and out all the time but that hasn’t been possible this last year. I've really missed my friends but the online clubs have given me something to put in the diary and on the worst day something to wake up for. Yes there are delays and problems with sound sometimes but it's been people to talk to when I needed them and I want to thank you all for that."
In 2021, Sarath even led his first-ever social club, A Journey to Sri Lanka, where he gave a presentation and answered questions about his beautiful home country. Watch a small snippet below...
“These younger neighbours and older neighbours are like my family members, we share ups and downs, share everything about our lives at social clubs!”
Mengran gave her time, energy and kindness to everyone in our community. Before the pandemic, Mengran joined us for six social clubs around Camden and Islington having joined our network in 2019. After our programme went virtual in March 2020, Mengran attended 50 virtual and phone-in social clubs in 12 months.
Mengran ran her very own virtual social club celebrating the Lunar New Year, welcoming 30 neighbours along to learn about the history of the Spring festival.
"Lunar New Year is a day for family members to get together, and North London Cares is also a big family for me here. Considering that I couldn’t return home, I was so glad to spend spring festival with older and younger neighbours together."
Check out a video of her talking more about her experience with North London Cares...
