North London Cares
North London Cares brings people together across generations, backgrounds and experiences to build community and connection so that younger and older people alike feel less lonely, more united and a greater sense of belonging.
ABOUT US: 

London is amazing. In our patch of Camden and Islington, you’ll find world-famous markets, arts venues and people from all over the world. But as our modern world moves at breakneck speed, living here can also leave people feeling anonymous, isolated and lonely. 

 

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; and bridge social, generational, digital and cultural divides.

 

We do this through:

 

Social Clubs: The NLC team host free intergenerational 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 jazz clubs and trips to the cinema to acting workshops, 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. These friendships can also take place over the phone for regular calls or a mix of both visits and phone calls. 

 

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.

WHY OUR WORK MATTERS: 

Loneliness is a personal and public health crisis that has massive longterm effects on our mental and physical wellbeing. North London Cares exists to bring older and younger people together – to share time, laughter, new experiences and friendship – in effort to tackle social isolation and connect people, so that everyone feels part of our changing city, rather than left behind by it.

OUR VALUES: 
Kindness: Demonstrating empathy, respect and optimism, with people at the heart of everything we do.
Community: Rooted in place, representing the needs, stories and language of local people authentically, and passionate about the power of collective agency to advance justice and togetherness.
Trust: Dedicated, responsive, reliable and accountable to people in their neighbourhoods as well as to our valued partners.
Bravery: Ambitious for our model, courageous and entrepreneurial in our approach, and aware of the power of vulnerability in leadership.
Learning: Constantly appraising and improving our work through evaluation and innovation, developing the most relevant, creative, adaptable approaches proactively.

Our Opportunities

 
Love Your Neighbour Volunteer
North London Cares
Min. 24 Weeks Minimum weeks
Love Your Neighbour Volunteer
Volunteering
Volunteer
Mental Health, Older People, Social Care, Widening participation

Our Love Your Neighbour programme connects younger people with their older neighbours for a 1-2-1 intergenerational friendship, providing conversation and companionship to help combat social isolation.