The London Irish Centre charity is the heart of the Irish community in London.The charity provides care, culture and community to the Irish across London, working from the iconic London Irish Centre in Camden Town.

The London Irish Centre closed its doors on 18th March 2020 but have been working hard remotely. Their services were completely reshaped, prioritising the older, vulnerable, and isolated members of the community as well as those severely impacted through loss of jobs and income as a result of the crisis.

The London Irish Centre has been able to play their part in the community response by providing:

• Hot Lunches: They are delivering close to 240 meals per week

• Food parcels: Personalised food parcels for vulnerable people, including fresh food and books to boost mental stimulation

• Partnerships: The Centre partnered with Camden Council to allow delivery of food parcels from the Kennedy Hall on a larger scale to the ‘shielded’, highly vulnerable individuals in self-isolation

• Telephone Befriending: The Befriending Service has moved to a telephone service. They have trained 35 new volunteers who phone isolated people up to twice daily providing friendly, regular contact

• Online Web Chat: The Online Web Chat Advice Service was launched at the beginning of April. This new platform is reaching a younger client group, including people who have lost their job as a result of the pandemic

• Launch of Solas Season: The Centre’s cultural programme has moved online with a series of curated online culture and community to keep people connected and inspired during these challenging times

• Health and Wellbeing Advice Line: The Centre launched a telephone support and advice line for people with concerns about their health and wellbeing during the pandemic, to alleviate pressure on the NHS. Staffed by in-house nurse Ciara, and supported by a team of expert volunteers, the service gives people support to stay well mentally and physically during the pandemic

• Library Outreach: The staff are now delivering books from their library to people’s homes. LIC librarian, John Dunne, speaks to isolated people on the phone and helps them select books or makes recommendations based on their interests.

• Expanded volunteering: The volunteer programme at the Centre has been expanded with 200 new volunteers signing up since social distancing came began