Lots of you will know that for the last two years I've been making regular visits to see 'my old lady'. Most of you will also know that by that, I don't mean my mum (hi, Mum!)

In July 2013 I became involved with a charity called North London Cares which aims to connect older people with their younger neighbours in a bid to tackle social isolation. It's a very simple model: the charity runs a range of activities for older people and then ask volunteers (the younger generation) to come along and help run them. Two years ago, there were a handful of regular activities, such as a weekly Film Club, run by the charity's founder, Alex, and one other member of staff. 

Now NLC has 9 members of staff and has struck such a chord that it's formed a sister-charity, South London Cares. The array of activities on offer has exploded and I often wonder whether these older people don't have a cooler social calendar than me (Burlesque, anyone?). Here's some of June's activities as an example: 

- Cinema trip
- Book Club
- Pub quiz
- Gardening 
- Art class
- Local history
- A lesson in Burlesque
- Men's Cooking Class
- London Symphony Orchestra concert (yes, this might have something to do with me!)

As well as offering LSO activities out as part of NLC's calendar, I'm involved personally, as alluded to in my opening paragraph. I've been visiting a lady called Ann now for almost two years, as part of NLC's Love Your Neighbour scheme. 

I have already written a blog about the story of Ann and me, so I won't repeat it - I can't hyperlink this for some reason, so please take 1 second to copy and paste the URL into your browser. It really is worth a read.  

http://northlondoncares.org.uk/blog/love-your-neighbour-how-fabienne-ann-developed-a-friendship/

Or you can watch this wonderful film, which neatly sums up what NLC does (and may have a small cameo from us ;-) )

https://vimeo.com/118718187

Walking for 11 hours straight is no mean feat and knowing that I have your support will be an enormous motivator when feet are sore and day turns to night. I hope that will consider donating to this magnificent charity which is giving older people AND their younger neighbours a more fulfilling daily existence. 

Thank you!

Fabienne

xxx

PS. Did you know that loneliness is as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes a day? Donate £20 and enable Film Club to take place. Donate £40 and support a Cooking Club for 10 isolated older people. Donate £150 and provide transport for 14 older neighbours who otherwise can't attend social clubs.