The Dulwich Almshouse Charity (DAC) is very pleased to provide small grants to the following organisations to support their work with older people. For further details on the grants, please view our annual report and accounts. Please note, the DAC does not accept unsolicited applications for support from other organisations.
DeafBlind UK
DeafBlind UK is a membership organisation that supports people with combined sight and hearing loss to live the lives they want. Its members, including older people in the Southwark area, have access to services such as: a free information and advice line, support from engagement officers, social groups, digital support, accessible holiday homes for members, and befriending. Befriending volunteers support members with day to day activities and friendship.
Link Age Southwark
Link Age Southwark delivers volunteer-led services to more than 600 lonely and isolated older people across Southwark. Their work includes a befriending service matching older people to a local volunteer who visits them weekly; regular exercise and activity groups ranging from yoga to bridge; DIY, gardening and accessible transport services; as well as specialist support for people living with dementia. People who use the services say that they feel less lonely, better able to manage in their own homes, more connected to the local community, and they enjoy life more.
Camberwell Consolidated Charities
Camberwell Consolidated Charities was formed in 1917 to provide extra income to older people on low incomes, who have lived in the Ancient Parish of Camberwell (covering parts of Dulwich, Peckham and Camberwell) for two years or more. Payments are made bi-annually and provide extra income to those most in need, with the aim of alleviating hardship.
Southwark Pensioners Centre
Southwark Pensioners Centre is a well-respected 30-year-old local charity that supports older people aged 50+ to enjoy healthier, independent and more active lives, staying in touch with each other and their communities. It offers a wide range of services and activities. These include weekly singing and music groups, which require concentration and focus and are an enjoyable exercise of skill. Members of the Welcome Singers and the Camberwell Recorder Consort say that they enjoy the friendly, relaxed atmosphere of the groups, and value the opportunity to come together and keep music alive.
St Luke’s Parochial Trust
St Luke’s own a large and vibrant community centre in south Islington, which welcomes around 68,000 visits annually from people of all ages, backgrounds, interests and abilities. St Luke's and other organisations deliver a wide range of services and activities at the centre to benefit the local community, including support for people aged 55+. This includes activities such as art, dance classes and seated martial arts training, along with free transport and practical and emotional support to aid participation. Older people who take part in St Luke’s activities say that getting involved helps them keep up to date, develops their social networks and avoids isolation.
St Christopher’s
St Christopher’s is the only hospice in South East London and cares for nearly 4,000 patients and their loved ones every year. It strives to provide each patient with the tailored care they deserve, to ensure that they have a good death, and a good life until they die. Most people prefer to die at home, in comforting and familiar surroundings with their friends and family around them. St Christopher’s community nurses help make this possible through regular visits, caring for the patients and their needs, and supporting their families and carers.
Lucy Brown House
Lucy Brown House provides comfortable sheltered housing to older people who want to continue living independently in their own homes. Residents are supported to stay independent and maintain a good quality of life. The property has a large communal lounge and residents have the chance to enjoy social activities such as a monthly supper club and a games night where volunteers from local businesses challenge residents to games of table tennis, pool, darts, and board games. Lucy Brown House is managed as part of Southwark Council’s sheltered housing scheme.
Bishopsgate Foundation
The Bishopsgate Foundation was founded in 1894 “for the promotion of the education of the public”. As part of its commitment to “the relief by all charitable means of those in need”, it provides a top-up pension scheme for those that have lived or worked in the surrounding parishes.