CNCA have been awarded funding from the National Lottery Community Fund for our Community Connections Project.

Our befriending service supports elderly clients across Croydon via home visits and a telephone befriending 'keeping in touch' service.  Our membership of groups all help the over 65s.  Additionally to this, we are based at Davidson Lodge which is a community housing elderly Croydon residents; the majority of whom live alone. 

The lottery funding is to be used to build strong relationships among the elderly who live alone and would not normally engage in social activities.  We are making improvements to the outside space with planting and seating, creating an inviting communal area which will, hopefully, encourage the residents to come together and integrate.  We are also holding regular coffee mornings, afternoon teas and occasional lunches.  At these events we have other organisations in attendance, for example, the tenancy team, the fire brigade and advice on benefits and housing etc.  We will be holding a Christmas event for our clients and the residents too.

The funding was also for a Coronation Event.  We had a wonderful afternoon with our residents, clients and member groups.  We put on an afternoon tea, we played games and there was a wonderful singer 'Quite Frankly' who provided entertainment all afternoon.  It was a great success.

Our project's main aim is to reduce social isolation and loneliness.