London is amazing. In our patch of Hackney and Tower Hamlets, you’ll find world-famous markets, exciting arts venues and people from all over the world. But as our modern world moves at breakneck speed, living here can also leave people feeling anonymous, isolated and lonely.
This is particularly the case for older people whose social networks may have frayed and whose communities are transforming faster than ever before due to globalisation, gentrification, digitisation, transience and housing bubbles; and for younger people facing work and social media pressures and often living far from friends and family.
Increasingly, as our cities transform, those two groups are living in parallel worlds. That separation wastes human potential, entrenches loneliness and isolation, perpetuates division, and is ultimately corrosive for our society.
That’s why East London Cares brings older and younger people together – to share time, laughter, new experiences and friendship – so that everyone can feel part of our changing city, rather than left behind by it.
As part of The Cares Family, East London Cares' objectives are to:
Go deeper locally by:
Bringing more older and younger people together in Hackney and Tower Hamlets and sustaining meaningful relationships between them;
Supporting older and younger neighbours to feel visible, confident and that they have a stake in their communities.
Spur a national ripple connection by:
Sharing our learning with others;
Shifting narratives, attitudes and behaviours.
Consolidate our operations and ensure the sustainability of our organisation and philosophy.
Adjusting to the Covid-19 pandemic.
In March 2020 East London Cares, along with the rest of The Cares Family, suspended face-to-face activity amid the emerging COVID-19 crisis. We swiftly re-invented our programmes to maintain connection, community and our values (kindness, community, trust, bravery, learning) at their heart. You can read about that here.
As restrictions have eased we have resumed our face-to-face programmes, but now we offer blended programmes. Our programmes now include a mixture of online and face-to-face programme options, which we’ve taken every precaution to ensure are COVID-safe.
