Please note: this post is 45 months old and The Cares Family is no longer operational. This post is shared for information only
Our Love Your Neighbour face-to-face programme switched to phone friendships back in March 2020, so some of the new friendships formed from a distance have now been going strong for a whole year or more. Neighbours Gloria (70) and Rheanne (29) reached their first friendship anniversary today; both were pleasantly surprised to realise they’d known each other for a year already, with Gloria saying “Oh wow, I can’t believe it!” They’ve both been part of the Manchester Cares family for a while now, joining in with our Social Clubs a fair few times between them. Love Your Neighbour was their chance to connect on a one-to-one level: they’ve chatted about current affairs, their families and friends, and very importantly, their shared love of food (BBQ fish is a favourite). They’re both really enjoying their chats on the phone, and are considering meeting up further down the line.
We caught up with Gloria and Rheanne and asked them to tell us a bit about their experiences on the programme, and what they’ve gained from being connected to each other.
What do you chat about during your weekly calls?
Rheanne: “We chat about a bit of everything - the current situation, COVID. Over the summer we spoke a lot about Black Lives Matter - what it was like for her growing up and what it’s like now.”
Gloria: “We’ve been talking about the virus and the lockdown and everything being in a mess, shopping, talking about how one day we’ll get to meet, holidays. Rheanne talks about her work.”
What has been the most positive aspect of being part of Love Your Neighbour?
Rheanne: “Helping and connecting with Gloria. During the pandemic a lot of [older] people have become isolated. Being able to speak to her and her to me - it’s been positive both ways.”
“Having someone in Manchester who’s like an [older] figure - I’m from Birmingham. She’s from Jamaica so [we share] a lot about the heritage… For me a big part of it is connecting with someone who’s from the same heritage as me.”
Gloria: “I enjoy it when she rings, we talk just as if you’re seeing the person face-to-face, we have a good laugh, you’re just connected to the person. It’s like no stranger.”
How do you feel about the Love Your Neighbour programme?
Gloria: “[It’s provided me with] good friendship, talking, she asks me how I’m getting on and things like that, all these little things like if I’ve been to the shop.”
Rheanne: “It’s a good programme, it has a lot of value for the older and younger people involved. It’s great for people’s mental health and a bit of motivation, always having someone they can call. I think it should be done more widely.”
Happy friendship anniversary, Gloria and Rheanne!