Since 1966 Fulham Good Neighbours has provided older people with neighbourly support in their homes, community and now online. In 2019 we received The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service.
In response to Coronavirus we have adapted our services,
supporting in homes via:
Telephone Befriending, telephone Reading Group and telephone Digital Inclusion support;
free hot meals/food packages delivered to the door;
Community via:
Essential tasks such as: shopping, medication delivery, pet care and more; and
online via Social Clubs including: chair based exercise; art group and; gardening workshops.
Our Art Group, part generously funded by Daisy Trust, for older people living in the borough meet weekly at Rosaline Hall. However, the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions threw us into self - isolation within our own homes.
Online video sessions quickly emerged with some members learning new technology and overcoming new mental and practical challenges so that they could reconvene, socialise, share and make art online.
The value of our social interaction and feeling connected required some creative thinking and perseverance. At first getting to know how the video conferencing software worked was priority and then we asked who had not yet been seen on the inter web and why?
It became clear that some members were not showing up on the screen, so myself and Fulham Good Neighbours reached out to the group. Some members had no internet or computers/tablets. Fulham Good Neighbours provided technical assistance and machines where possible. This forms part of their Digital Incusion project, empowering older people in Fulham to develop their digital skills through supportive volunteers.
Some members however decided, due to personal circumstances such as ill health or family commitments, that it was not possible. Setting up an art-space or even making time for art is always a challenge even in normal circumstances. This was exaggerated without access to the Fulham Good Neighbours building and our weekly session dedicated to art making and socialising.
During the sessions some family stayed in the same room. Other voices, comments and noises joined in whilst phones rang as did doorbells. Virtual Backgrounds were used to share photo albums and fantasy settings.
After two months of lockdown it was possible to meet at distance and on doorsteps. Paper and art materials were delivered by hand and a cuppa shared at front gates.
One member was unable to access the online sessions, however her neighbour (also a member) and family coordinated weekly time slots in which to photograph her artwork. She held it up at her window!
Here is a selection from her Window Gallery. An inspirational example of her paintings that she worked on every week as usual and shared with us all after the sessions.
We still do not know when we will all meet again. However we hope you enjoy our Gallery. All work has been made at home alone or in the sessions. More artwork from the Fulham Good Neighbours Art Group here.
Please see here for more information on staying sharp in lockdown.
Please contact [email protected] or on 020 7385 8850 should you require support or know someone that does.
In response to Coronavirus we have adapted our services,
supporting in homes via:
Telephone Befriending, telephone Reading Group and telephone Digital Inclusion support;
free hot meals/food packages delivered to the door;
Community via:
Essential tasks such as: shopping, medication delivery, pet care and more; and
online via Social Clubs including: chair based exercise; art group and; gardening workshops.
Our Art Group, part generously funded by Daisy Trust, for older people living in the borough meet weekly at Rosaline Hall. However, the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions threw us into self - isolation within our own homes.
Online video sessions quickly emerged with some members learning new technology and overcoming new mental and practical challenges so that they could reconvene, socialise, share and make art online.
The value of our social interaction and feeling connected required some creative thinking and perseverance. At first getting to know how the video conferencing software worked was priority and then we asked who had not yet been seen on the inter web and why?
It became clear that some members were not showing up on the screen, so myself and Fulham Good Neighbours reached out to the group. Some members had no internet or computers/tablets. Fulham Good Neighbours provided technical assistance and machines where possible. This forms part of their Digital Incusion project, empowering older people in Fulham to develop their digital skills through supportive volunteers.
Some members however decided, due to personal circumstances such as ill health or family commitments, that it was not possible. Setting up an art-space or even making time for art is always a challenge even in normal circumstances. This was exaggerated without access to the Fulham Good Neighbours building and our weekly session dedicated to art making and socialising.
During the sessions some family stayed in the same room. Other voices, comments and noises joined in whilst phones rang as did doorbells. Virtual Backgrounds were used to share photo albums and fantasy settings.
After two months of lockdown it was possible to meet at distance and on doorsteps. Paper and art materials were delivered by hand and a cuppa shared at front gates.
One member was unable to access the online sessions, however her neighbour (also a member) and family coordinated weekly time slots in which to photograph her artwork. She held it up at her window!
Here is a selection from her Window Gallery. An inspirational example of her paintings that she worked on every week as usual and shared with us all after the sessions.
We still do not know when we will all meet again. However we hope you enjoy our Gallery. All work has been made at home alone or in the sessions. More artwork from the Fulham Good Neighbours Art Group here.
Please see here for more information on staying sharp in lockdown.
Please contact [email protected] or on 020 7385 8850 should you require support or know someone that does.