Be a good neighbour this winter

Be a good neighbour this winter

Everybody needs good neighbours – they don’t just become good friends, they help communities thrive, and keep people happier, healthier and safer.

As the nights draw in and the temperature drops, it’s more important than ever to look out for each other. Read on to find out how you can be a #camdengoodneighbour

Make new friends in your area

The winter months can be a lonely time, especially for people who might find it harder to go out when it’s very cold. North London Cares runs Love Your Neighbour, a friendship matching scheme to connect isolated older people with young people in their community, for cups of tea and companionship. If you would like to be matched with someone new in your area visit northlondoncares.org.uk/love-your-neighbour

North London Cares will also be running their outreach project to keep hundreds of older people warm, active and connected this winter. If you’re over 65 they can deliver blankets and warm clothing to your door, give you advice on how to keep your home warm and reduce energy bills, connect you to nearby social activities and help you to access health services.

Find out more: northlondoncares.org.uk 020 7118 3838

Support rough sleepers

Do you know how to help if you see someone sleeping rough in your area? If you are worried about someone sleeping rough you can tell us in just a few minutes using the StreetSafe app, by phone or by email. We use this information to send officers to the people sleeping rough and point them to the right service to help them get off the streets.

Download the app by searching ‘Camden safer streets’ on the App Store or Google Play.

Find out more camdensst.com streetsafe@cgl.org.uk 020 7833 7970

Neighbours Josephine and Myrian from South Hampstead

Josephine

We’ve known each other for 12 years. We met outside going in and out of our front doors – I’m a chatterbox anyway! My late husband Bob was very sociable as well, so we were three sociable people. It’s important to be a good neighbour because you never know when you’ll need help. When Bob passed on it was very difficult to carry on, but Myrian was always there. I don’t know where I’d be today without her.

Myrian

Josephine rocks. I’ve faced several health challenges over the last three years and she’s really looked after me, visiting me in hospital, checking if I need any help or shopping once home and even buying me flowers almost weekly for a long time. We go out for cake, have good banter and fill in each other on what’s going on in the block. We wouldn’t normally be put together – we are different ages with different interests but we see the humanness in each other and that’s what binds us.

Tell us about your good neighbours – tweet your pictures and stories to @CamdenCouncil #camdengoodneighbour or email camdenmagazine@camden.gov.uk

Call in on your neighbours

Pop in to see your older or vulnerable neighbours to make sure:

• they’re safe and well

• they’re warm enough, especially at night

• they have enough food and medicines so they don’t need to go out during cold weather.

If you’re worried about a relative or elderly neighbour, call the Age UK helpline on 0800 055 6112 (8am to 7pm every day) or the Council on 020 7974 4000 (select option 1), or email adultsocialcare@camden.gov.uk

Find out more nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/keep-warm-keep-well