Who We Are
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.
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.
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.
Brenda, Gardening Project
Brenda (78) has a marvellous, big garden that she cares deeply about. However, living on her own and having had a knee replacement, it has made it much harder tfor her to manage the outdoor space by herself.
She first heard about the gardening service from her housing officer and decided to give it a try. Since then, she has been very pleased with the support she has received via the gardening project.
She says 'Fulham Good Neighbouts always does a fabulous job, and the garden looks lovely.'
Having consistent support over the years has made a real difference in Brenda's life, given her a peace of mind and helping her maintain a garden she can feel proud of.
She also speak highly of the team, describing them as sweet employees who provide a wonderful service.
IMPACT SURVEY 2019/2020
Here are the findings of our Impact Survey conducted throughout 2019-2020.
Impact Survey 2018/2019
Here are the findings of our second Impact Survey conducted throughout 2018/2019.
Impact Survey 2017/2018
Here are the findings of our first ever Impact Survey conducted throughout 2017/2018.
Esme, Social Clubs
Esme (83) moved to Fulham in 1969 and has always taken a strong interest in local history, observing and documenting the many changes the area has undergone over the decades. She has built up a personal archive, a kind of visual memory.
Esme discovered Fulham Good Neighbours through an existing member, Arthur, who lived in the same block as her and attended regularly. Following his passing, Esme noticed that members of Fulham Good Neighbours were present at his funeral. It was there that she was encouraged to join. As someone who enjoys visiting art galleries, museums and going shopping, she was told, 'Why don't you join Fulham Good Neighbours?'.
This was around 5-6 years ago. Esme decided to give it a try and says the experience has been nothing short of 'wonderful'. She particularly values the opportunity to meet and socialise with others, describing it as a lovelu aspect of Fulham Good Neighbours. She now regularly attends the choir practice and the lunch club, including at home our Reading Group and Digital drop-in. This place has become an important part of her social life and has many friends out of it.
Doreen, Befriending Project
Doreen (95) is grateful for the befriending support she receives from Lyn (volunteer). They were matched two years ago and began their friendship during a 'very difficult time' for Doreen. She considers Lyn to be a great help and is very satisfied with her, in her words, she 'couldn't have asked for anyone better!'.
Doreen is now able to get out of her house via the support of Lyn and enjoy the outdoors whilst socialising, this 'helped (Doreen) a lot' and contributed greatly towards her wellbeing.
Richard, Digital Inclusion Project
Richard (76) first came to Fulham Good Neighbours a few years ago. He initially joined the Chair-Based Exercise classes, but it was not long before something else caught his interest - the Digital Drop-in sessions.
He remembers his first impressions clearly, he says he 'loved the building...it's open, sunny, bright, just a very nice place to be...from an architect's perspective too, it really stands out'. Not long before he began the exercise classes, the digital drop-in sessions launched and Richard was one of our first attendees and still till his date attends it weekly, according to him, 'he wouldn't come back if it wasn't good'.
Richard's start to technology wasn't easy but the 'incredible help' that he received aided him immensely with i.e., digitising his poetry. Overtime his confidence has grown and with the laptop provided by Fulham Good Neighbours, decided on exploring new methods of its use. He 'even installed Wi-fi at home' but still returns to the Drop-in to touch base and because he 'enjoys coming, which is why I (he) keeps coming'. He is very quick to recommend the sessions to others and considers this place to be 'a very good place to start'.
For Richard, digital learning and his device has become much more than a basic tool, it is also supporting his academic work. After digitising his poems, he decided to return to a long-standing academic interest, 'early fourth-centry monasticism', a topic he studied while training as an architect.
Annual Report 2024/2025
Please see the highlights of 2024/2025 detailed in our Annual Report and Accounts.
Annual Report 2023/2024
Please see the highlights of 2023/2024 detailed in our Annual Report and Accounts.
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.
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.