Yesterday was the Dulwich HelplineAGM at held the Dulwich Picture Gallery. It was very kind of the gallery to host the AGM for free.

The Dulwich Helpline have been around since 1993 and exists to improve the quality of life and help to prevent physical and mental deterioration from social isolation. This is critical to help people stay at home to enjoy the most from their lives.

I hadn’t realised how many active volunteers they have. 277 during the year helping 386 people in a huge variety of ways.

But times are increasingly tough for all charities. So pragmatically they’re going to share back office costs with Southwark Churches Care. Two great complimentary groups working together. And they plan to bid for work together.

I was asked to speak and reiterated my groups promise to actively work to promote a permanent home for them on a peppercorn rent. We absolutely get how valuable their work is and when running the council protected such voluntary groups from any cuts. Every pound given to them really has a large multiplier effect of avoiding costs to the NHS, social services and most importantly improves peoples quality of life.

IF you’d like to help fund raise for Dulwich Helpline contact them on info@dulwich-helpline.org.uk or 020 8299 2623.