Recently, we gave the outside of our office a makeover and spent the afternoon planting flowers, bulbs, and herbs - with a helping hand from one of our older friends.

You might even spot our chief exec, Ceri, repotting a brand-new monstera - brightening up our office space in style.

Our second @befriending.co.uk #BefriendingWeek spotlight celebrates Arlene and Eve. Their friendship helped both feel more connected - Eve to her new community, and Arlene to the world beyond her home. It’s an example of how befriending can bring people together, no matter their circumstances.

To kickstart #BefriendingWeek, we’re celebrating Zoe and Kevin, whose connection represents the Collaboration and Partnership @Befriending.co.uk is championing this year. Zoe reflects that their friendship “has made us both feel less lonely and more valued.”

Read below:

www.linkagesouthwark...

October saw our AGM, which was attended by our ambassador @helenhayes.bsky.social and, most importantly, our star volunteers. The work all our volunteers do is indispensable - whether assisting at groups, giving lifts, helping at our parties, befriending or delivering our newsletters.

Our friends over at The Ivy House treated us right and proper last week, they very kindly threw our older pals a knees-up. It was a smash success, serving pies, mash and liquor. The afternoon also featured melodic piano playing from Laurie Rich, who played us some classic dance hall tunes.

That’s right everyone, the cèilidh has SOLD OUT!

Unfortunately, there will be NO TICKETS sold on the door. Worry not- the following evening, SELfolk orchestra will be performing another cèilidh just down the road in Herne Hill.

30 years ago, Joe moved to South East London, he reminisced that his garden was his “pride and joy.” As seasons change, tending to your garden can slowly become harder.

Six of our older friends received gardening support from the wonderful volunteers from the consultancy firm EY.

In our last reading session, we explored a beautiful selection of poems, one of which left a lasting impression on us all. A friend shared that she keeps the final couplet from Derek Walcott’s “Midsummer, Tobago” pinned above her desk:

“days that outgrow, like daughters,
my harbouring arms.”

Link Aid makes its ceremonious return to the Ivy House for our annual event– lace up your dancing boots as the cèilidh calls! Many thanks to our band SELfolk Orchestra

We hope to see you there, tickets are available on our website (link in bio)!

Our last Friday Social was a delightful gathering, filled with an array of homemade treats, especially enjoyed by our older friends.

We were honoured to welcome a special guest - Sunny Lambe, Mayor of Southwark - whose commitment to community-building shone through in every conversation.

Yesterday, our Peer Support Group got crafty with the brilliant team at @dulwichgallery.bsky.social.

We were treated to a tour of the gallery and Rachel Jones’ exhibition, Gated Canyons, which inspired our own artwork.

On Friday, Fitsum treated us to a delicious Ethiopian lunch.
Serving up homemade dishes and an abundance of injera to around 30 guests - she truly took care of us

#southwark #community #southeastlondon #localconnections #agepositive #lonelinessprevention #ageingwell

We donned our finest sports jackets and frilliest frocks for our Wimbledon-themed Summertime Party - and what a smashing afternoon it was!

Game, set and match - we're already counting down to the next one.