WE’RE MAKING H&F THE GREATEST PLACE TO GROW OLD IN
Older age should be something for us all to look forward to. We’re working hard with our older residents to make Hammersmith & Fulham the best place to grow older. We want to put our older residents in the driving seat when it comes to the services and support they need. This exhibition, which is a result of H&F Council’s Arts Strategy, gives a snapshot into the lives of our older residents. From celebrations at the Masbro Centre to reading clubs at Fulham Good Neighbours, our older people play a crucial role in the vitality of the borough. We’re the only local authority to have abolished home care charges. And together with the local NHS and charities, we offer a wide range of support for older people. But we know more is needed. Loneliness, poverty and poor health affect many residents’ enjoyment of older age. Making things better means listening to older residents themselves as we like to do things with residents, rather than to them. And that’s exactly what we’ve done after listening to the views and experiences of local older people via our Older People’s Commission. Now we aim to make further improvements. Together, we can make the borough a great place to grow old in. Hammersmith & Fulham Council
FULHAM GOOD NEIGHBOURS Fulham Good Neighbours support mainly older people, including those with dementia, with a range of services. Our Good Neighbour Scheme offers practical help at home with small DIY jobs, accompanies older people shopping and to appointments as well as taking care of pets to name just a few of the free services delivered by nearly 100 volunteers, many of whom are older people. We also offer a befriending service and digital inclusion support for those who are housebound, decorating service, gardening support and our Adopt a Garden scheme. We have a range of social clubs to help beat isolation and loneliness which include the Art Group, chair-based exercise groups, Fulham Carers, Fulham Lunch Club, Fulham Sunday Afternoon Tea, Silver Clubs and the shared Reading Group. Finally we organise the Parsons Green Fair - an annual event for the whole community attended by more than 9,000 people. Further information on the fair can be found at www.parsonsgreenfair.org To find out more about our services and volunteering opportunities, please contact: Fulham Good Neighbours Rosaline Hall 70 Rosaline Road Fulham London SW6 7QT Tel: 020 7385 8850 www.fulhamgoodneighbours.org
“I like the activities at Fulham Good Neighbours. It gives the sense of security because of the support they offer. I visit on Sundays for afternoon lunch. The best thing about being a member is that I get the opportunity to interact with people, make friends and comfort from the support the organisation offers in the hours I need.� VIMAL
HAMMERSMITH UNITED CHARITIES Hammersmith United Charities support local people to build their confidence and resourcefulness, develop their own talents and skills, connect people together and strengthen relationships and neighbourliness within and across diverse communities. We achieve these aims by: • Managing vibrant sheltered housing communities for older people • Creating safe beautiful outdoor environments • Funding a community based grants programme
“I find painting very relaxing. It takes you away from everyday things. I have art class on Fridays and walking through the park and on the way there you always see lovely things. A petal, a leaf or something like that can inspire you to create something which I enjoy. In spring and summer, the garden at St John Betts House is beautiful so I paint the view from my flat. I guess that is why there are many flowers in my work.”
“Sometimes it takes a year to do one picture and sometimes it just takes a day. There are all kinds of things that inspire me.”
“I hadn’t touched a paint brush since I left school. A friend of mine came and said ‘You like art. I attend this painting class, it’s a very nice group with a very nice teacher’. So, I thought since I had a couple of hours on a Tuesday morning, I’d have a go. I thought that any particular talent I had at school was gone, it was a very long time ago, I am 83 now. As soon as I picked up the brush I thought ‘Yes! I think I can do this’. And to my astonishment I could. It has been great fun and very relaxing.”
BILL FORBES HAMILTON, RESIDENT OF JOHN BETTS HOUSE SINCE 2011
BRYAN PAYNE, RESIDENT OF JOHN BETTS HOUSE SINCE 2004
PAT CAREY-WILLIS, RESIDENT OF JOHN BETTS HOUSE SINCE 2000
FULHAM GOOD NEIGHBOURS
For more information on Hammersmith United Charities visit: Hammersmith United Charities Services, Sycamore Gardens, Hammersmith, London, W6 0AS Tel: 020 8741 4326 www.hamunitedcharities.org.uk
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LIDO FOUNDATION The Lido Foundation aims to support disadvantaged people from the Somali community in order to enable them to live independent and fulfilling lives. We aim to achieve this by providing them with advice, training and support so that they have the confidence and knowledge to live fulfilling lives and socially integrate into the wider society. The services we offer are information and advice, Saturday school, job skills training and recreational activities. To find out more about Lido Foundation, please contact: Lido Foundation Office E, Stebbing House 5 Queensdale Crescent London W11 4TE Tel: 020 8150 6165 www.lidofoundation.org.uk
Cinzia D’Ambrosi | Photographer www.cinziadambrosi.com Insta:cinziadambrosi |Twitter:@cinziadambrosi
MASBRO CENTRE The Masbro Elders Project is a welcoming and inclusive space for older people in the community. We run an exciting programme of activities, events and outings, helping people to find friendships, engage with their community, discover new skills and do the things that make them happy! We also offer a range of volunteering opportunities such as becoming a Volunteer Befriender or hosting an outing to a local gallery, pub lunch or concert. To find out more about our Tea Club or volunteering opportunities, please contact: The Mabro Centre 87 Masbro Road Hammersmith W14 0LR Tel: 0207 605 0800 www.upg.org.uk
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“I feel at home at The Masbro Centre where I volunteer for The Reader Organisation. The community is diverse, and The Elders group has a rich culture with many interesting stories to tell.” TRICIA DE COURCY LING, PHOTOGRAPHER FOR THE MASBRO ELDERS PROJECT
“The best advice I have ever been given was to volunteer to work with local charities and help other people.” MICHAEL PEYTON
Keeping your independence matters. That’s why Hammersmith & Fulham Council offers older and Disabled residents a range of free or low cost support to keep living independently at home.
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To learn more, please email h&fadvice.care@lbhf.gov.uk, call 020 8753 4198 or visit www.lbhf.gov.uk/AssistanceAtHome