Stockwell Good Neighbours had been meeting at Brixton library since January 2020 after the closure of the Oval House theatre.

The 9^th March was the last meeting for the moment due to the Caronavirus. We had to say goodbye to our regular Mondays get togethers for the 50 elders who attended each week taking part in a range of activities designed to keep minds and bodies active, such as weekly Tai Chi, wordsearches, Quizzes and Bingo, regular outings to the theatre and the seaside.

Immediately the club a much loved meeting for members directed its response into keeping connected to all the members with weekly phone calls, checking on health and wellbeing referring people to mutual aid support from Lambeth such as food parcels deliveries and most importantly maintaining friendships and support to now the most isolated vulnerable of our community.

A group What’s App was set up for half of the group who had smart phones which has enabled people to connect with each other sharing prayers information and positive thoughts. At 7pm every Monday the group are encouraged to share some time thinking of each other and saying a prayer for our members this is followed by a video prayer from the Coordinator. There have been a few members who have had the virus and are improving now and several who have lost loved ones.

The group have also lost three of its much-loved members during this time and were unable to attend the funeral as they would normally have dome but have remembered them in prayer and held a short What’s app video to remember them.

A Stockwell Good Neighbours small magazine was produced weekly to share activities such as Puzzles, Quizzes, information, stories, poems prayers and members reflections. This is sent out to 77 people each week with sometimes additional information from Lambeth. A YouTube channel of 30 minute activities is also available on U Tube called Bring Me Sunshine Catford which members can take part in including, Yoga, Tai Chi, African drumming and singing, Concerts, sing a long and meditation.

Whilst we hope to meet again in the future in person our priority is the safety and health of our members.

Stockwell Coordinator Lesley Allen can be contacted on 07729785843 or emailed at    info@stockwellgoodneighbours.org