Since March 2020 many of our activities have been suspended or adapted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, our Helpline - 020 8876 3414 - has remained open throughout and other activities have gradually been reinstated, ensuring that service users and volunteers remain safe, whilst we continue to combat loneliness.

The past two years has been the busiest in our 60-year history. Please see our News page or follow our social media pages on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter for up to date news and photographs.

Volunteering

At a time when the NHS and Social Services are depending more and more on support from the voluntary sector, we are receiving unprecedented numbers of requests for help with medical transport and shopping. Ironically, this also comes at a time when the anti-car lobby in London and Richmond upon Thames has never been stronger and it is therefore getting far more difficult to recruit volunteers with cars.

Last year, our volunteer drivers drove over 12,500 miles on behalf of FiSH, dropping off shopping and taking clients to appointments at hospitals, GPs, dentists and podiatrists, opticians, therapists and hairdressers! In the first quarter of this year, they have already driven over 4,300 miles.

In October 2021 the ULEZ also impacted our area, and some older members of the community realised that their cars were not compliant and that reaching local shops, GPs and services, including the local crematorium, had become prohibitively expensive. We anticipate this will continue to increase the demands on our services.

Meanwhile, our ongoing need for more volunteers continues and applications are always welcomed. As is our usual policy, all new volunteers are asked to undergo a criminal records check and for the contact details of two referees.

We need a variety of skills including shoppers, car drivers, bus drivers, bus escorts, tea helpers, bakers, gardeners, handypersons... but please note most of our activities take place Monday to Friday and we have a particular need for car drivers.

An application form can be downloaded by clicking on the button below.

Referrals

We are happy to receive referrals from GPs, social workers, district nurses,  community mental health teams or concerned family members. Please call Liz on 020 8878 8100.
Membership of FiSH costs just £20 per year. Members receive regular newsletters and access to all of our activities and volunteer services.

Telephone Buddies

Picture
If you would welcome a 'Telephone Buddy' to chat with, please call Liz on 020 8878 8100.

​A friendly chat about what was on TV last night or simply the antics of your pets can make all the difference right now!

Scams

During times of 'disaster' there are always the few who would seek to take advantage of the disadvantaged and this challenging time is no different. Many kind and generous people are offering help, but up and down the country there are reports of scams and criminal activity. 

If you are offered help, please make sure it is coming from a reputable source. And please make sure your loved ones are aware of the danger of responding to unsolicited leaflet drops, phone calls or calls at the front door.

COVID Vaccinations - remember COVID jabs are ONLY available via the NHS and you will never be asked to pay for your jab or any other NHS treatment. The NHS will never, ever ask for your bank details.

STOP PRESS

If you would like to support FiSH financially during this challenging time please click on the button below.  Thank you!

FiSH Helpline

The FiSH Helpine is open Monday to Friday. Help with shopping, transport, gardening and small handyperson jobs can be arranged. If you, or someone you know, needs help please call our Helpline on 020 8876 3414 giving as much notice as possible.

Newsletters

NovemberMonthly newsletters are currently being sent to FiSH members. You can download copies here.
June 2020
July 2020
August 2020
​September 2020
​October 2020
​November 2020
December 2020
January 2021
February 2021
​March 2021
April 2021
May 2021
June 2021
August 2021
September 2021
October 2021
November 2021
December 2021
"I have not volunteered with FiSH before and was really struck by how grateful the lady I helped was. You are doing a great job matching people in need with those of us able to help. Thank you. I am proud to be part of this community effort."
Alistair
“My goodness, I am so thrilled with the bag of meals you delivered this morning that it has made me cry. I didn’t have any Easter eggs, so finding those in the bottom is such a special touch. Thank you FiSH for all you are doing for us. What would we do without you all?”

Neighbourhood Care Groups

FiSH is one of eight neighbourhood care groups located within the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames.  FiSH serves a population of 35,000 living in Barnes, Mortlake, East Sheen and those living in TW10 who live between Clifford Avenue and Sheen Common Drive, and those living in SW15 who pay their Council Tax to Richmond Council. Almost 5,500 of this local population are over the age of 65. 

If you live outside of these areas please contact your appropriate network:
Richmond - Richmond Good Neighbours 
Kew - Kew Neighbourhood Association
Ham & Petersham - Ham & Petersham SOS
Twickenham & St Margarets - HANDS Care Group
Teddington & Hampton Wick - Teddington & Hampton Hill Voluntary Care Group
Whitton & Heathfield - Whitton Network
Hampton & Hampton Hill - Hampton & Hampton Hill Voluntary Care

For Roehampton & Putney please contact Age UK Wandsworth