The Elim OAL Outreach Inclusion Project

Total Amount Requested: £45,000

About the Organisation

Elimhouse Community Association Southwark (ECAS) is a long-established, trusted community organisation based in Peckham. The Centre provides a vital lifeline for elderly residents, particularly from Caribbean and African backgrounds, through day care, leisure activities, community engagement, and wellbeing support. Our services have been an integral part of the local community for many years, helping older people maintain their independence, health, and social connections.

Context and Need

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, ECAS operated five days a week, offering a safe, welcoming space for older people to participate in social, cultural, and recreational activities. Since the pandemic, the demand for our services has grown significantly. Over the past 18 months, the Centre has seen a sharp rise in day care needs, with visible increases in the frailty and chronic illnesses of our elderly participants. We currently have a waiting list of 15 older people, and this number continues to rise.

Southwark’s demographic trends show that people are living longer; however, the local Caribbean and African communities face some of the poorest health and wellbeing outcomes in the borough. Many of our elderly service users live alone, experience financial hardship, and reside in some of the most deprived areas of Peckham. Isolation, loneliness, and poor access to health and social services are common challenges.

During the COVID-19 lockdown, ECAS adapted quickly to meet urgent needs — delivering food parcels, household essentials, and “meals-on-wheels” four days per week. For many elderly people, our volunteers were their only human contact for days at a time. This experience reinforced how essential outreach and personal connection are for the wellbeing and survival of vulnerable older people.

The Project

The Elim OAL Outreach Inclusion Project (Peckham) aims to reintroduce and expand our dedicated outreach and community engagement work. This project will provide consistent, compassionate, and culturally appropriate support for isolated elderly people, particularly from Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) backgrounds.

Through outreach, our Project Worker will:

• Visit older people at home and in the community, offering companionship and emotional support.
• Connect individuals to health, social care, and wellbeing services they may not be aware of.
• Encourage participation in Centre-based and community activities to reduce loneliness.
• Identify those most at risk of isolation, neglect, or poor health and help them access practical help.
• Support the coordination of transport and attendance at social events and activities hosted by ECAS.

Outcomes and Impact

The project will:

• Reduce loneliness and isolation among elderly BME residents in Peckham and surrounding areas.
• Improve physical and emotional wellbeing through regular social contact and engagement.
• Strengthen community cohesion by connecting older people with local networks and services.
• Enhance independence and confidence among elderly participants.

This outreach programme is not just about engagement—it is about saving lives, restoring dignity, and ensuring that no elderly person in our community feels forgotten or alone.

Conclusion

The Elim OAL Outreach Inclusion Project will help ECAS meet the growing needs of Southwark’s aging Caribbean and African population, providing crucial outreach and inclusion support. With your funding, we can re-establish a service that has proven to make a profound difference—promoting wellbeing, independence, and community connection for some of our most vulnerable residents.