About the project
Folk Like Us is a free service, providing support and advice to people over the age of 55, living in the city of Southend who are experiencing loneliness and isolation.
This National Lottery Community funded project aims to address the following issues:
- Older people in Southend feeling isolated because they can’t participate in local social or community activities. This could be due to poor health, lack of confidence, transport issues or just not knowing what’s available.
- Older people feeling disadvantaged because they can’t easily access information which could lead to an improved quality of life.
“If Folk Like Us didn’t exist I don’t know where I’d be. You have been my life-line.”
Folk Like Us member
Benefits to its Members
Increased Confidence
A decrease in social isolation and loneliness
Better social connections with the local community
Improved sense of wellbeing
An opportunity to share lived experience and be a positive influence in the community
Services provided by the project
Folk Like Us Hubs
Our Hubs allow anyone to drop in during the specified times whether they are a registered member or general public seeking information.
Our Hubs are ideal if you would like to:
- have a chat with the team
- meet other people
- learn about local services and support
- get involved in one-off special days
We have four Hubs which operate throughout the year. Click on their name below, or use the interactive map to find out more.
Central Hub
Folk Like Us operates a Hub in Central Southend on the ground floor of the SAVS Centre building in Alexandra Street, Southend on Sea, SS1 1BW. This Hub is open Monday – Friday 10am – 2pm and offers a welcoming environment, giving support, information and a chance to meet and chat to others over a cuppa.
Shoebury Hub
The Folk Like Us Shoebury Hub is open on Mondays between 10am – 2pm at 151 West Road, Shoeburyness, SS3 9EF. You will see our signs at the front and side of the old church building directing you to our Hub. As with the Central Hub, there is support and information available and a chance chat to others over a cuppa.
Muddy Hub
The Folk Like Us Muddy Hub is located at the Norwich Avenue Allotment site in Southend. Our Muddy Hub is open during growing season; we have a fantastic new shed and all year we grow lots of fruit and vegetables which when harvested are enjoyed by our members.
Sandy Hub
Folk Like Us is lucky enough to hire out a Beach Hut at East Beach Shoebury. Once a week in the summer months, you can join our Team Leader and other members for some sea air and fingers crossed some lovely warm sunshine too!
Connect Events
Connect Events are run every 3 months. Members are invited to come along and hear from guest speakers covering a variety of subjects such as local history, health and community information.
This is a fun way to meet other members and share experiences.
Lunch and a raffle is also provided.
Home Visits
We know that some older people are housebound through mobility or health conditions and are not able to visit the Hubs.
Our Community Support Team provide home visits to those who are unable to leave their house, ensuring that Folk Like Us support is accessible and inclusive to all.
I.T Skills and Support
Technology moves fast and it can be difficult to keep up with how things work, especially if you are not used to using computers and mobile devices.
Our team offer basic IT training and support both in the home and at our Hubs.
Hub Activities
Hub activities have been introduced; many of which have been borne from member ideas. We have a weekly knitting group who knit for local causes, a monthly walking group, active picnics, service information shares, quizzes, as well as soup and jacket potato days to name but a few!
To find out more call the Turning Tides Team on 01702 356 070
Folk Like Us Case Study
John
Muddy Hub Volunteer
Both John and his wife, Jessie, were already aware of Turning Tides through its ‘Safe as Houses’ Crime prevention project when Team Leader Lee, made contact with them again to inform them of our Big Lottery funded ‘Folk Like Us’ project.
Lee visited John and Jessie at their home in order to tell them all about Folk Like Us and how it can help to break isolation and loneliness for older people living in the borough of Southend. Both were interested in what Folk Like Us had to offer and told me a little about John’s current circumstances.
John had been retired some time and as a consequence has very little social interaction. In addition, along with a few health problems, it meant that John was spending much of his time at home just watching the television.
On signing up as a Folk Like Us member, John visited the project’s Hub which is open 10am-2pm Monday to Friday. On his initial visit, John came in with wife Jessie as he was unsure and a little nervous as to what to expect.
Within just a few months, John is a regular visitor to the Hub for a cuppa and to have a chat. John struck up friendships with several other members and since May 2018 has been volunteering with the Folk Like Us Muddy Hub Allotment plot in Norwich Avenue.
John is delighted that he is now less lonely and isolated with thanks to Turning Tides Folk Like Us.
Proudly Sponsored by
The National Lottery Community Fund
The National Lottery Community Fund, legally named the Big Lottery Fund, is a non-departmental public body responsible for distributing funds raised by the National Lottery for “good causes”. Since 2004 it has awarded over £6 billion to more than 130,000 projects in the UK.
