A charity that helps look after elderly people and people with mental health problems is having to ask for money to keep going, after seeing its income plummet during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Blackfriars Settlement, which supports people in the north of Southwark, is looking for £10,000 to keep its doors open and run projects like Sunday lunches for older people who live alone, singing for wellbeing, arts sessions and a women’s group.
One visitor who goes to the lunches said the meals were: “Somewhere I can go to when feeling lonely as I meet lots of new friends. I enjoy the company.”
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The singing for wellbeing groups are also popular. “It keeps me motivated,” another visitor said. “It’s a great form of exercise and socialising. And it brings me joy.”
Meanwhile the arts sessions help people believe in themselves, a third visitor said. ” I grew from those sessions by believing I could actually draw and be artistic. I also grew by meeting new friends and by discovering things about myself .”
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