I've raised £2000 to help Pets Against Loneliness
Organised by Lyn Ambrose
Story
Help us Alleviate Loneliness Four Paws at a Time!
Who we are
Pets Against Loneliness is a volunteer-led community initiative in north London bringing together older members of the community with well-behaved dogs and their owners for the purposes of joy and the alleviation of loneliness. PAL's mission is guided by three key values: Community, Companionship, and Kindness.
PAL was established in November 2017 by Islington resident Lyn Ambrose. Launching in March 2018 with the help of a small core team of like-minded volunteers, PAL has successfully run monthly events ever since. We have also enjoyed special guest appearances from the world's oldest comedienne, 86-year old Lynn Ruth Miller (http://lynnruthmiller.net/) and local historian Amir Dotan (https://stokenewingtonhistory.com/).
Why we exist
As recent new stories have highlighted, loneliness is a widespread problem in our society, affecting every community on every street across Britain, and particularly affecting older people.
Research from Age UK found that:
There are 1.2 million chronically lonely older people in the UK (No-one Should Have No One, 2016) "
Half a million older people go at least five or six days a week without seeing or speaking to anyone at all (No-one Should Have No One, 2016) "
Two fifths all older people (about 3.9 million) say the television is their main company (Evidence Review: Loneliness in Later Life, 2014)."
PAL's Founder, Lyn, says:
PAL was born from the twin beliefs that older members of the community are often undervalued in our society - sometimes leading to isolation and feelings of loneliness - and that animal companionship can make a big difference to this. As such, our focus group is older people.”
What we do
PAL hosts free, informal, drop-in morning tea sessions bringing together older, people with well-behaved dogs and their owners, in a welcoming, friendly space to share cake, conversation and canine company.
The meet-ups are held from 10am-12 noon on the first Saturday of each month (excluding January) at St. Matthias Hall, Wordsworth Rd, Stoke Newington, N16 8DD The venue is fully accessible.
Lyn added:
The PAL events are a welcoming and friendly space to have a cup and tea and piece of cake, while meeting lovely dogs and their owners. There is no formal structure, just mingling at its best."
What our guests say:
Jenni, 71 says:
There was tea and cake, and lots of well-behaved friendly dogs and their equally lovely owners. All were welcoming and kind, and I met people and dogs I would not normally meet. Sounds a bit bonkers doesn't it? But it works. Dogs are great ice breakers. "
Learn more about PAL
https://www.petsagainstloneliness.com/
PAL: The Movie!
https://vimeo.com/375959881
How you can help
PAL is an entirely volunteer-run project, and we need your help!
We are looking to raise £2000 to cover project running costs for 2020. Funds raised will be used solely for project delivery, such as resources and refreshments for participants, catering equipment and promotional materials. We will also undertake project development activities such as developing a rollout package for local pilots as part of our strategic plan to expand. All volunteer time is donated.
For more information, or to sign up as a volunteer, please email Lyn at lynambrose@gmail.com or call her on 07886-674 190.
Many thanks for your support .
The PAL Team - and Max, Missy, Mildred, Milo, Rosie and Themba.
