London is an amazing city, full of opportunity and change, but for some of our older neighbours - particularly those who have lived in London their entire lives and seen it change beyond recognition - those changes can be isolating, and deepen feelings of anonymity and loneliness that are already synonymous with old age. Similarly young Londoners can experience feelings of isolation and loneliness too. Many have no real roots in the city and feel no sense of belonging in the area they live.
North London Cares is a community network of older and younger neighbours, sharing time, stories and skills across Camden and Islington, in an effort to reduce isolation and loneliness; improve wellbeing, confidence and resilience; and bridge social, generational, digital and cultural divides.
We do this through:
Social Clubs: The NLC team host group activities during the day, in the evening and at weekends, where older and younger neighbours come together to learn, laugh and share experiences. From yoga to ‘Pub Club’ and podcast recording to street dancing, we try anything and everything - our only rule is no bingo!
Love Your Neighbour: Some older neighbours rarely leave the house, due to issues with mobility or a lack of confidence through isolation. We match a younger and older neighbour so they can enjoy company, conversation and companionship in the comfort of an older neighbour’s home.
Finally, all this is made possible thanks to the generosity of our amazing community fundraisers. People have walked, cycled, baked, ran and held events in aid of The Cares Family. With every fundraising event we hold, there is a focus on ‘team work’, camaraderie, and bringing people together.
