SUTTON SOUTH HELLO! 

“Sutton South Hello!” was formally launched on Thursday 9th May at Christ Church, Christchurch Park, by Care Minister Norman Lamb MP.

This important local project, Sutton South Hello!, aims to encourage us all to be better neighbours and support older people stay active and in touch with their local community, and to offer us the benefit of their experience and expertise. 

Norman Lamb MP, Care and Support Minister, agreed to launch the project, and our MP Paul Burstow, Heather and Richard were also there. Heather, as chair of the steering group, introduced the Minister.

The project is about us all remembering to say, “Hello”, more often, to offer help when it is needed and to know where to go when there are problems.

We have produced a first newsletter which sets out clearly what events are going on locally, such as where to go for a chat and a cup of tea.  Each Wednesday afternoon, the Wednesday Hello! Club meets at Christ Church Community Hall for tea and coffee, activities and informal advice if someone has a worry or a problem.

There is one telephone number, 020 8770 4065 manned by SCILL (Sutton Centre for Independent Living and Learning), that  people can phone if they, or someone they know, needs support because they are lonely or isolated.  They can be put in touch with someone who can offer them befriending or more professional help if that is needed.  We are also looking for volunteers to help with the project, all skills welcome, and the contact telephone number is the same.

The Safer Neighbourhoods police team were at the launch, as well as the mobile library service , AgeUK, other voluntary organisations, and Heather and Richard.  There was plenty of tea and cake.

The Hello! project will also feature at the Sutton South, Cheam and Belmont Local Committee on 23 May at the same venue. Residents are invited for refreshments at 6pm before a discussion of the scheme at 6.30pm.”