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 few real roots in the city and feel little 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 try out new things. From silent discos to hula hooping and trips to the cinema to pottery and crafting, we try anything and everything - our only rule is no bingo!

Love Your Neighbour: Some of our older neighbours aren't able to come along to our activities due to issues with mobility; a lack of confidence or they'd rather meet people 1-2-1. Our Love Your Neighbour programme connects a younger neighbour (you!) with an older neighbour for a 1-2-1 friendship through regular visits or calls.  The programme provides company, conversation and companionship to help combat social isolation and loneliness. It is a unique opportunity to connect with someone of a different generation outside of your usual social bubble.

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.

To find out more about our volunteering opportunities, check out our opportunities on the UCL directory.

We are running both online volunteer inductions, via Zoom, or in-person inductions at the Camden Collective, Buck Street in Camden on the following dates:

  • Wednesday 24th of August 18:30 - 19:30 (Camden)
  • Monday 12th of September 18:00 - 19:00 (Online)
  • Wednesday 21st of September 18:30 - 19:30 (Camden)
  • Wednesday 19th of October 18:30 - 19:30 (Camden)
  • Monday 24th of October 18:00-19:00 (Online)

Sign up to secure your place and get involved. 

Our inductions are a chance for you to meet the North London Cares team and hear all about being part of our wonderful North London Community.

 

https://northlondoncares.org.uk/get-involved
Opportunities
Social Club Volunteer
Our Social Clubs are free activities which take place both face-to-face and remotely, and bring older (65+) and younger people from across Camden and Islington together for
Love Your Neighbour Volunteer
Love Your Neighbour is North London Cares' friendship matching scheme, which brings volunteers together with their older neighbours aged 65 and over.

See what other students say about this project

"This is such an easy way to do something wonderful, not only for someone else, but for yourself too."
Lavanya Mane, a PhD student at the Francis Crick Institute, has been volunteering with North London Cares - a community organisation that encourages social interactions between their older and younger members. Read on to find out how Lavanya got involved, the relationship she developed with her older neighbour and how volunteering has had a positive impact on her life.
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"It was a great way for me to build a deeper connection with the city and this was important for me as an international student."
Tiantian Yu is a Postgraduate student studying Economics and Policy of Energy and the Environment
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