Who We Are
Learn more about our impact in the last few years
This page explains how we make a difference to the lives of the people we help. Older people often become lonely and isolated or find it difficult to live independently – our work helps people to overcome these issues.
In this section people connected with the charity talk in their own words about their experiences.
My name is Jane and I have been a volunteer with Fulham Good Neighbours for 5 years. I learnt about their work in the neighbourhood whilst chatting to someone when dog walking. Having at that time recently lost a dear neighbour, in whose care I was very involved. Suddenly I found myself with time to spare. My first involvement was linked with Mind and their ‘beating isolation’ project. I learnt a lot through the group sessions about how others also get involved and benefitted from hearing their feedback.
I enjoy befriending and visiting people in their homes to give companionship, do crosswords, paint and have tea together – but not all at once!
The Wednesday Lunch Club brings joy to an increasing number of elderly people from within the Borough offering a wide variety of entertainments. The crosswords, games and chatter are apparent in the decibel levels experienced, there are definitely no hushed tones there.
The best thing about volunteering with Fulham Good Neighbours is being part of a happy team, who are good at raising awareness and caring in everything they do. There are many stalwarts with years of experience to learn from.
There are so many different ways that one can make a difference to the lonely, housebound or infirm and I think it is a privilege to be useful and to be able to ease & brighten someone’s life outside of one’s own family and friends.
Our staff and volunteers have been recognised in many ways for their work in the community
We try to make the world a better place not just by being a small local charity helping older people.
Signed Accounts - 31-03-2016
Case Studies - Jane
My name is Jane and I have been a volunteer with Fulham Good Neighbours for 5 years. I learnt about their work in the neighbourhood whilst chatting to someone when dog walking. Having at that time recently lost a dear neighbour, in whose care I was very involved. Suddenly I found myself with time to spare. My first involvement was linked with Mind and their ‘beating isolation’ project. I learnt a lot through the group sessions about how others also get involved and benefitted from hearing their feedback.
I enjoy befriending and visiting people in their homes to give companionship, do crosswords, paint and have tea together – but not all at once!
The Wednesday Lunch Club brings joy to an increasing number of elderly people from within the Borough offering a wide variety of entertainments. The crosswords, games and chatter are apparent in the decibel levels experienced, there are definitely no hushed tones there.
The best thing about volunteering with Fulham Good Neighbours is being part of a happy team, who are good at raising awareness and caring in everything they do. There are many stalwarts with years of experience to learn from.
There are so many different ways that one can make a difference to the lonely, housebound or infirm and I think it is a privilege to be useful and to be able to ease & brighten someone’s life outside of one’s own family and friends.
Environmental Responsibility
We realise that as a small local charity we have a special obligation to make the world a better place:
- We use Fairtrade food products in our office and social clubs we run.
- We use Ecover as our supplier for plant-based, environmentally friendly cleaning products.
- We only use renewable (non-nuclear) electricity and gas. All our appliances are at least A rated and lights are energy efficient LED lights.
- We use an electric van and installed our own electric charging point.
- Cyclists coming to our office can make use of a bike stand we had installed.
- Thanks to the support from Pret a Manger, City Harvest and The Felix Project we are able to reduce food waste and costs by utilising donated food during our social clubs.
- You can also read our FGNS Environmental Policy.
Dennis and Dan, Adopt a Garden
Dennis (71) is a retired geologist. Dan, his Adopt a Garden volunteer, visits regularly. Dennis enjoys the combination of practical gardening support and friendship:
“Dan likes football, so do I. That does help a lot, even if he is an Arsenal supporter.”
Dan most enjoys the sense of reward: “I don’t feel intimidated, I don’t need to be a super expert.”
During C-19 Dan calls weekly to chat, ensuring that Dennis is well and equipped with food; and to see if there is anything else that FGN can do to support.
IMPACT SURVEY 2019/2020
Here are the findings of our Impact Survey conducted throughout 2019-2020.
Avril - Trustee, Reading Group/Silver Club Facilitator
There are members of my reading grou
p that suffer from dementia, suddenly something in a story might trigger a comment – to me that is just euphoric. Every old person has a story to tell – how they used to live, what their job was; it’s so interesting.
FGN has a great ability to tap into somebody’s needs without overbearing, or belittling; just genuinely being a good neighbour.
Impact Survey 2018/2019
Here are the findings of our second Impact Survey conducted throughout 2018/2019.
Jane (Volunteer)
I learnt about FGN’s work whilst chatting on a dog walk. I’d recently lost a dear neighbour; in whose care I was very involved. Suddenly I found myself with time to spare. I enjoy befriending, visiting people to give companionship, sharing crosswords, painting, drinking tea together.
The best thing is being part of a happy team. There are many FGN stalwarts with years of experience to learn from. There are so many different ways to make a difference to the lonely, housebound or infirm; it is a privilege to be useful, to be able to ease & brighten someone’s life outside of one’s own family and friends.
Impact Survey 2017/2018
Here are the findings of our first ever Impact Survey conducted throughout 2017/2018.
Marjorie (beneficiary)
My name is Marjorie, I’m 89 years old and I live by myself, I have a daughter and a son and 3 grandchildren. I’ve been part of Fulham Good Neighbours for about 4 years now. I use the services here like the gardener and the handyman – those are the most important ones I use – if I didn’t have the gardener my garden would be a jungle. The handyman came in and put up some shelves for me and he did my curtains as well as painting and decorating. Coming to the lunch club – you meet people and we have a lovely lunch they give you and we have entertainment or somebody giving us a talk, they’ve taken us to Kew Gardens, we’ve been to the Albert Hall for a tea dance and every week they have somebody coming in; they bring a lot food like fruits and different things that they give us to take away so that helps. I would most definitely recommend Fulham Good Neighbours – I’ve made so many friends here I live on my own – I can’t get about I need to depend on transport so I meet all my friends here. I think a lot of people don’t take advantage of this service.
Constance (beneficiary)
I have used Fulham Good Neighbours for over twenty years as I have only limited sight. They have provided wonderful help: gardening, taking me for walks, accompanying me to hospital appointments and on shopping expeditions. They could not have been more useful. It is an excellent service. I live alone, without a carer, and FGNS has enabled me to retain my independence. As a blind war veteran aged 91 I highly recommend this service.
Annual Report 2022/2023
Please see the highlights of 2022/2023 detailed in our Annual Report and Accounts.
Annual Report 2021/2022
Please see the highlights of 2021/2022 detailed in our Annual Report and Accounts.
Annual Report 2020/2021
Please see the highlights of 2020/2021 detailed in our Annual Report and Accounts.
Annual Report 2019/2020
Please see the highlights of 2019/2020 detailed in our Annual Report and Accounts.
The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service
Food Hygiene Rating
Our kitchen was first inspected in October 2016 when we received the highest food hygiene rating: 5. A follow-up inspection in December 2019 confirmed this score for our food hygiene standard.
LBHF Civic Spirit Award
In 2018 we were shortlisted for the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham Civic Spirit Award in the Community Spirit category.
London Healthy Workplace
In 2017 we were recognised with the London Healthy Workplace accreditation at the commitment level. We believe to be one of the smallest charity in London to be part of this scheme.
Best Charity in Hammersmith and Fulham
In 2016 we were declared the best charity in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham as part of the LBHF Brilliant Business Awards.
Team London Volunteering Award - Clive Domm
in 2016, our volunteer Clive Domm, was the only Londoner to receive the Long Term Volunteering Award from the Mayor of London for having served the local community as our volunteer for nearly quarter of a century.
The Lord Mayor Dragon Award
In 2016 we were shortlisted for the prestigious Lord Mayor Dragon Award in the Community Partnership category. We believe to be the smallest charity to reach the finals of this award.