CAN WE HELP?
Befriending
A-Z of our Groups
Practical Help
How to refer someone to us
BEFRIENDING
Our befriending service is available to isolated older people
aged over 60 years who live in South Southwark.
Volunteers visit people in their own homes, usually for an hour
or so once a week, for a cup of tea and a chat, to undertake a
task, or to share an activity or interest with their service
user.
Examples include reading correspondence or a newspaper to
someone who has visual problems, playing a game of scrabble or
chess, listening to music together or accompanying someone on a
short walk.
Please contact us if you are interested in either having a
befriender or would like to become a volunteer visitor.
A-Z OF OUR GROUPS
Below is
a list of groups currently on offer, we do add more from time to
time and so this list is not exhaustive. To come along to most
groups, you first need to become a service user of Dulwich
Helpline, or Southwark Churches Care, both of which are free.
For more information on our groups, to become a service user, or
to check if there are free spaces in a group, please call us on
020 8 299 2623. Thanks.
A-Z
1. Abbeyfield Reminiscence
This weekly reminiscence group is held at an Abbeyfield
sheltered housing scheme. Members follow an agreed reminisce
timetable each term and take it in turns to tell their stories
of old. It is a friendly group who are always looking for people
with new stories, or for people from different backgrounds.
2. Book Club This meets on a monthly basis in a service
user’s home. The hostess provides group members with tea, coffee
and cakes. The volunteer who runs the group also works for one
of Southwark’s Libraries and is able to access large print,
talking books or specific books that members may request.
Members take home as many books as they want to read and are
asked.
3. Bridge Group The group gets together on
a fortnightly basis and meets in the dining/sitting room of a
small supported housing unit. The group is run by two volunteers
both are skilled Bridge players, their role being to assist
members who are less able. Tea and coffee is served between
games.
4. Computer Groups We run computer groups with local
schools in term-time. Each group matches a school pupil with a
service user for one-to-one learning about computers. Service
users can follow a designed course, or work on whatever aspect
appeals to them. Popular themes are emails and the internet,
digital photography, or a basic introduction to computers for
the first time. Please contact us to find out more about these
groups.
5. Dulwich Grove Estate Group – (Known as Life on the E.D.G.E!)
This group meet weekly at the Sea Cadets Hall in Greendale.
It is a tea and chat group with regular background music played
by one of the members on his keyboard. On alternate weeks
Dulwich Helpline provide a programme of activity which include
newspaper discussion, quizzes, reminiscence sessions, games,
craft and occasional guest speakers. New members are warmly
welcomed. Please contact the office for full details.
6. Gentle Exercise Group This lively group meets every
week in a sheltered housing block, for an hour of chair-based
exercise with a paid tutor, followed by tea and biscuits. It is
a very popular and sociable group which is very well attended.
7. Golden Oldies – Southwark Churches Care Group This
is social group is every Wednesday morning at St Mary Magdalene
Church, Peckham. Every other week we have chair based exercise
and on the weeks in between we have a variety of activities,
such as musical bingo, quizzes, speakers and arts and crafts, as
well as trips out in the summer. £2 per session. Transport
available if needed.
8. Kingswood Estate Befriending
Group This group meets once a month in a community centre.
Many of the members have poor mobility and unable to get out to
meet up, so friends and neighbours are brought together to have
tea and a chat and reminisce about past times. Every birthday is
also celebrated with a birthday cake.
9. Kingswood
Estate Drop-in This very popular drop-in group happens twice
a month at a community centre. The drop-in offers a social
occasion for the estate and a great opportunity to sit and chat,
or make new friends. Each drop-in has a raffle and a quiz, as
well as refreshments provided. There are often special events,
such as speakers or performers for the group and these are
publicised around the estate. All welcome.
10. Kingswood Estate Reminiscence Group This group
meets weekly and is led by two volunteers who run the group on
alternate weeks. Group members decide on topics for each term
and share memories through photos, magazines, books or other
items of interest. They also organise trips out and lunches
during the year. Refreshments are provided and the group tends
to be very lively.
11. Kingswood Estate Shopping This is a monthly trip by
minibus from Kingswood Estate to a large supermarket in
Sydenham. Help is available for those who need a hand while
others shop independently. After everyone has done their
shopping they meet up in the café for a cup of tea and a bite to
eat. As this is a popular trip, please contact the office
regarding availability.
12. Men's Group This group meets monthly in a local
Pub. Group members are offered a first drink (alcoholic or non
alcoholic) which Dulwich Helpline pays for, members then pay for
any further drinks. Topics of conversation vary each meeting,
however many members like to reminisce about times past; and
some enjoy a game of dominoes or cards.
13. Music
Group The music group meet fortnightly at the home of one of
the group members. Ideas for the sessions are put forward by the
members and a varied programme is produced. Examples include
music by classical composers, songs from the shows, various
concertos and occasional piano recitals. The sessions always
start with refreshments and general chat.
14. Paxton Green Drop-in
This group meets fortnightly and was initially set-up by Paxton
Green Surgery. This group is lively, well attended and offers an
opportunity for socializing and friendship. – with refreshments,
of course!
15. Poetry
This busy group meets fortnightly and focuses on a different
topic each time. Members can bring published poetry with them to
read out around the topic, are invited to write their own, or
can sit and listen to the other contributors. Topics are wide
ranging and the tutor asks for suggestions from the group about
what topics to cover.
16. Olley's Lunch Group This group meets once a fortnight
on a Tuesday lunchtime for a fish and chip lunch and
conversation at the award-winning “Olley’s Fish Restaurant” in
Norwood Road, SE24.
17. Singing Group This new weekly group is proving very
popular; members join in for singing a variety of songs. It is
held at a sheltered housing block. All levels of singing are
accommodated, the paid teacher emphasises the fun and health
benefits for everyone.
18. Yoga This sedate
exercise group meets fortnightly to do yoga-inspired chair based
exercise, with a paid instructor. New members are welcomed and
anyone can join in for these gentle exercises. The group meets
for tea and biscuits just before each session, offering the
opportunity of a chat and some social time.
PRACTICAL HELP
Our dedicated staff team with endeavour to help you if they can.
If we can’t help, we may be able to find someone else who can;
we keep a list of other local organisations available and also
have access to Southwark Council’s Trading Standards list - a
list of Tradesmen who have undergone a vetting procedure. The
things we can usually help with are:-
• Gardening: volunteers can help with minor jobs such as
mowing the lawn, hedge trimming, weeding and clearing leaves. We
are not able to help with very overgrown gardens or tree
felling. Any visits including return visits must be arranged
though our office staff.
• Escorted Shopping: a volunteer can accompany you by
public transport or in their own car to the local shops or
supermarket. We do ask that you give us two weeks notice for
this service.
• Odd Jobs: a volunteer can help with minor jobs such as
changing curtains, a light bulb fuse or plug. Our staff are
happy to listen to your request and will try to help you if the
work is appropriate for a volunteer to undertake.
•
Transport: we can provide help with transport to
appointments such as chiropodist, or dentist. Please give two
weeks notice for all transport requests. We are unable to
provide help with transport to hospital appointments.
HOW TO REFER SOMEONE TO DULWICH HELPLINE
Our referrals come through in various ways: GP surgeries, health
workers, social services, family, friends, and neighbours, or
simply call us yourself.
If you would like to refer yourself or know of anyone who would
benefit from our services then please call our main number 020
8299 2623.