Claremont aims to improve the quality of life for isolated older people through a range of services and by putting authentic relationships at the heart of their work.
Through a Relational Approach, they deliver excellent, evidenced psychological well-being outcomes for many hundreds of isolated older people from Islington each year. They are passionate about co-developing services with people rather than prescribing “age-appropriate” activities.
They provide a broad range of groups and classes aimed at fostering friendship and community, as well as personal exploration and development. The current programme includes a schedule of thirty six regular weekly classes ranging across all of the arts, as well as mindfulness, tai chi, yoga, keep fit, and falls prevention.
Claremont also offers a low-cost psychotherapy service and a couples-counselling service for Islington residents. They want people to have opportunities to shine and lead happier and more connected lives, especially those living alone and experiencing loneliness. Many years of feedback surveys reveal that what people most value about Claremont is the genuine friendship, the non-patronising, aspirational culture, and the broad inclusivity of membership. Here are some member quotes about the value of Claremont:
“Coming to Claremont gives me a sense of belonging and being valued. It’s a safe, caring environment. So essential for someone without a family.”
“It’s nice to have an outlet to stay active rather than just sitting at home once you’ve retired.”
“Without Claremont I think people would be lonely. it’s a place for people to come to build connections and be part of a community.”
“There are lots of people that are lonely, that have lost people – the activities here can take people out of being isolated and give them a focus.”
Organisations like these are facing huge strain, with both demand for services and running costs rising. Without you, vital projects like Claremont couldn’t continue to provide essential points of connection and support for local people.
