North London Hospice Enfield played host to a very special celebration this week, to mark the fifth anniversary of our Compassionate Neighbours scheme.
Volunteers, staff and service users gathered together for the party and enjoyed a buffet tea which, along with a delicious birthday cake, made by our very own Artemis, made for a joyous celebration. Live music courtesy of Andria Antoniou Trio had people clapping, dancing and singing along to an array of festive tunes.
Attendees included our Compassionate Neighbours, members of our community, family and friends of those we’ve supported and Bambos Charalambous, MP for Enfield Southgate. Since Compassionate Neighbours started at the hospice, more than 300 people have been trained and over 400 people have been supported.
There was also the unveiling of the group’s contribution to a wider art project. The hand-knitted, large, brightly coloured M will join letters designed by each of the 14 participating hospices of compassionate neighbours across the South-East to spell out the word ‘compassionate.’
Mary Galligan, Community Engagement Coordinator at North London Hospice said: ”It was an opportunity for everyone to celebrate the development and growth of this fantastic project which has touched the lives of so many who are lonely and socially isolated across Barnet, Enfield and Haringey.
“The vibrant ‘M’ on display provided a visual reminder of the collaborative and inclusive nature of this community project, having inspired in excess of 350+ contributions of knitted/crocheted/fabric squares across the boroughs, and also its wider context – as part of a compassionate network involving 14 hospices across the Southeast of England.”
