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, which is 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 8299 2623. Thanks.
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. Art Appreciation Talks and slide shows are given
by a tutor from Dulwich Picture Gallery. Subjects are discussed
and debated in the group. Gallery visits are also arranged to
view exhibitions being shown during the year at Dulwich Picture
Gallery.
3. 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 to make comments about the books they have read, these are
then discussed at the next meeting.
4. 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.
5. Computer Groups We run two 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.
6. Dulwich Grove Estate Group – (Known as Life on the E.D.G.E!)
This group meets 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.
7. Edward Alleyn Befriending Group This group meet
monthly in The Vestry at Edward Alleyn House. Although the
majority of the members live at Edward Alleyn House, the group
is open to people living outside. This is a ‘meet and chat’
group where refreshments with cakes or fruit are served. There
is a raffle and sometimes a quiz.
8. 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.
9. Holmhurst Befriending Group This group is run by an
Occupational Therapist, a Community Psychiatric Nurse and
volunteers from Dulwich Helpline. It is for people who have
ongoing mental health illnesses such as dementia and
Alzheimer’s. It is not solely for Dulwich Helpline members and
can be accessed by service users of the Holmhurst Day Centre.
10. Intermediate Care Unit - Dulwich Hospital These twice
weekly activity groups are specifically for people who are
patients receiving a rehabilitation programme on the ward based
unit at Dulwich Hospital. The sessions are varied and include
board games, throwing games, quizzes, singing, watching films
and newspaper discussions.
11. Kingswood Estate Befriending Group
This group meets
once a month and alternates between two service user’s homes.
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 and a glass of bubbly.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. Kingswood Estate Shopping This is a monthly trip from
Kingswood Estate to a large supermarket in Sydenham. Most of the
service users travel by minibus. 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.
15. 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.
16. 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.
17. Paxton Green Drop-in This group meets fortnightly and
was initially set-up by Paxton Green Surgery. This group is
lively, well attended and run by the members. The surgery
provides a room and helps towards their refreshments.
18. 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.
19. 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.
20. 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.