“I thoroughly enjoyed coming into the class and seeing people… it really made a difference to my week.” KD - KGN member, Colouring Calm attendee, July 2021
We need your support to enable our older neighbours in Kilburn and South Hampstead to take part in free activities at our community centre, improving their mental and physical health and helping them feel a part of the community once again.
Your funding will pay for much-needed taxi services to transport our Kilburn Good Neighbours befriending scheme members to Abbey Community Centre, where they enjoy activities such as Men's Fitness, Tech Buddies IT help sessions and our monthly community lunch.
For many of our members the pandemic has had a huge detrimental impact on their physical and mental health and unfortunately for some it is impossible to walk or take public transport to our centre due to mobility issues or other health conditions.
"I had such a lovely time that I could have easily done another hour of it! Thank you for arranging for me to come in. I am looking forward to the next session" - JW - KGN Member, wheelchair user, Colouring Calm attendee, Feb 2022.
For these individuals, who also experience financial disadvantage, a taxi provided by us makes it possible for them to leave their homes and break up their week with positive and sociable activities, enjoying the warm atmosphere and support available at our centre.
"The transport arranged by yourselves have made a difference. It motivates me to come in for the exercise class knowing there is a taxi coming to pick me up and taking me home especially with my mobility problems.” - HW - KGN member, Seated Exercise attendee, Oct 2021
At the moment we help an average of four members access the centre every week with the taxi service plus extra for our monthly community lunch event. The service costs £180 a month and we have no funding to cover this from April 2022.
A donation of just £10 could make an elderly person's day, enabling them to get involved at the centre. Read the stories below to see how much this can mean to the most vulnerable in our community. Thank you.
Mario's story
Mario, 80, lives in sheltered housing. He was involved in an accident in 2020 which affected his mobility and he lost his confidence to go out on his own. He started doing some small exercises at home to help improve his mobility however was not as motivated as he was feeling lonely and experiencing low moods.
The sheltered housing team had stopped organising any activities for several years due to the pandemic, which meant residents were not able to socialise. In 2021 when we restarted the classes, we offered Mario the transport service to be able to attend our Men's Fitness class which meant he could socialise with other like-minded individuals and get guidance from the teacher regarding his exercises so he could improve on his mobility.
Mario now attends weekly using the taxi service and has made new friends in the class. He has seen improvements in his mobility as well as his mental health. He is a lively character and thrives in a group setting, therefore it was important for him to attend the centre. The other men also enjoy his company. We are very happy to include Mario in our activities!
"I just want to say thank you to you, Lydia, and Kafia for helping me to come in for the men's fitness class. I really, really love the class and it is perfect for me." - Mario - KGN member, Men's Fitness attendee, Feb 2022
“Thank you both Lydia and Kafia for looking after [Mario], he thoroughly enjoys the keep fit classes and I can see a marked improvement in him. He would like to continue coming and in fact would like to attend a second class!” - MH, Sheltered Housing Manager for Mario, June 2021.
Bertie's Story
"I am very grateful to Abbey Community Centre for the variety of activities they offer to elderly people, stimulating us physically, mentally and socially. It is very beneficial to me being able to attend a sitting exercise class, availing myself of the help of the Tech Buddies and partaking in the monthly social lunch.
However, none of this would be possible for me without the taxi service provided by the centre, as my mobility is severely restricted. Every Tuesday and every first Saturday of the month I am picked up by a friendly taxi driver who delivers me to the Centre, where I am met by one of the staff who helps me to get inside and back to the taxi at the end of the session. Feeling part of this community helped me take a different look to my disability.
I hope that Abbey Community Centre can keep up their good work for the likes of me".