SECG

St Edmund's Caring Group is a team of volunteers who live in Riddlesdown who are prepared to give their time to support residents in the Riddlesdown community.

The scheme is run by two co-ordinators who make every effort to identify a volunteer to support a resident who needs assistance. This is purely a voluntary scheme.

This includes shopping, sitting with the lonely and elderly, respite support for carers, befriending and transport - especially for medical appointments.

We try to circulate all homes in the Riddlesdown area every other year, advertising our support services and recruiting new volunteers.

There is a twice yearly volunteer's meeting when we invite a speaker to address us informally about topics that are relevant to the work of the Group.

The co-ordinators attend meetings on behalf of the Group, which belongs to the Croydon Neighbourhood Care Association.

Over the years we have accumulated a great deal of information; we can often answer queries. For help of a more specialised nature - if we have not got the answers, we can usually get them quickly.

THE HISTORY OF THE GROUP

'Sylvia's Saints'

The group came into being during the 1970s. A member of St Edmunds congregation was admitted into Mayday Hospital, seriously ill and in a coma. Her husband, because of the suddenness of the illness, was in a state of shock.

A young mum, also a St Edmund's member, got a small group together and organised help for the family. Happily the lady recovered from her illness but needed support for some time. This was provided by the same group. During this time her husband had named the group 'Sylvia's Saints'.

The Group continued to give help whenever required to do so.

As time progressed, the original leader moved away. It was considered that the Group was beneficial to the Community and so another member of St Edmunds was approached who took on the job of setting up the Group much as it is today. She and her husband put a great deal of thought and time into forming the Group. Since that time other co-ordinators have taken on this work.

Although when the Group began it was run by members of St Edmund's Church for Church members, it is now a group that is available to everyone who lives in Riddlesdown, whether they attend Church or not.

We are proud of the fact that we are usually able to help with all requests for support.

We stress that you need to ask for the Group's support, we will not come into your home uninvited.

Our co-ordinators have answer phones; please leave a message if you need help, or if you want to become a volunteer. See contact numbers below.

All Volunteers are invited to claim expenses.

St Edmund's now offers a Lunch Club operating on alternate Wednesdays. This is a chance to socilaise over a hot meal. For more information, contact Olive Johnson on 07971 679045.

CONTACT DETAILS

Anyone needing support or anyone wishing to join the Group as a volunteer,

please telephone:

Barbara Towler 020 8660 8653

Julia Rider 020 8651 6493

Pat, Norma & Jo at a SECG outing 2010

Denbies outing 2009

Afternoon tea at Sue Wragg's September 2010

Outing to Denbies August 2009

SOME PICTURES OF OUR OUTINGS

Every year we take our residents and volunteers on various outings. Here are some photographs of recent ones.