How a Craft Club is Creating Community in Liverpool.

The Cares Family started in 2011 as a way to tackle social isolation by connecting inter-generational neighbours and creating a sense of community. Since then, they have grown from strength-to-strength, with branches across the UK. In this blog, Head of Programmes at Liverpool Cares, Jess Dyson Houghton, talks about what The Cares Family means to here, and why we should all Get to Know our Neighbours.

I am Jess Dyson Houghton and I am Head of Programmes at Liverpool Cares, part of The Cares Family. The Cares Family is a group of community networks in London, Liverpool and Manchester that brings together young professionals and older neighbours in rapidly changing urban areas to hang out, have fun and help each other.

This summer was a special one for lots of reasons. Personally, it was my first summer back in my home city of Liverpool after a decade away. I loved the chance to soak up the docks on sunny evenings before heading back to my new home with my partner, our cats and not enough furniture.

It was also a special one for Kelly (41) and Joan (92) as they met for the first time through our Love Your Neighbour programme. Love Your Neighbour introduces younger and older neighbours to meet up weekly for some company, conversation and shared time one to one.

Joan has lived in Allerton, 3 miles southeast of Liverpool city centre, for most of her life. She was interested in getting involved with Liverpool Cares so she could meet some of her younger neighbours. In May, Joan and some other older and younger neighbours were treated to a tour of the Liverpool Football Club stadium – as a lifelong Red, Joan loved the visit. Joan also still enjoys getting out to her regular Craft Club at Penny Lane Development Trust, but wanted to get involved with our Love Your Neighbour programme to spend some time one on one with a younger neighbour.

“Liverpool Cares has provided me with a sense of community spirit, which can be somewhat lacking in this day and age.”

Kelly is originally from Belfast but has lived in Liverpool for over 20 years now. Kelly says that being a part of Liverpool Cares “has provided me with a sense of community spirit, which can be somewhat lacking in this day and age”. Within a few weeks of her induction Kelly was a regular face at our social clubs, joining in at our Singalong, and coming along to our monthly Craft Club! Kelly was eager to spend more time with her older neighbours, and when she learned of the Love Your Neighbour programme, she was one of the first to sign up.

Over at Joan’s house for their first visit, there were no nerves in sight for this pair, who immediately started chatting. They covered everything, from their shared love of crafts to stories about pets, and there were smiles all around.

“They covered everything, from their shared love of crafts to stories about pets, and there were smiles all around.”

Since then the pair have met up weekly and found time to talk about their favourite family holiday destinations and the shoe shop that Joan used to work in on Bold Street. Kelly and Joan have also talked more about the Liverpool-themed mosaic that Joan’s currently making in the Penny Lane Craft Club. Kelly even brought the pieces of some broken bowls along so that Joan will be able to use them in the mosaic.

After their first visit the pair took a couple of selfies together, and it was Joan’s idea to pull silly faces in one of them. Both Joan and Kelly are looking forward to developing their already blossoming friendship even further through their weekly visits.

At the end of a special summer for many older and younger neighbours across Liverpool who’ve found friendship and community together, I’ve been reflecting how special it has been to return home to a job with Liverpool Cares which has given me a gateway to the vibrant communities of Liverpool. After a decade of working in retail I’ve loved the chance to work with the Liverpool Cares team to build our network of older and younger neighbours across the city to unleash the power of friendships on this amazing city.

Just like Kelly and Joan, you too can get to know your neighbours and be part of our Love Your Neighbour programme by signing up here. You can also get in touch with Jess directly by emailing jess.dysonhoughton@liverpoolcares.org.uk – don’t be shy!