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MeetUpMondays are coming to East Sheen
For several years, ‘Combating Loneliness’ has been one of FiSH’s straplines.  Getting people together, making friends, keeping active and bringing the neighbourhood together has been at the heart of all we do.  So we were very excited to learn about an initiative called MeetUpMondays.

MeetUpMondaysTM initially began in Wimbledon, took off in Suffolk and is now spreading across the country.  It’s a great way to start the week, a chance for neighbours to get together in a community space, have a FREE cup of tea or coffee, a few nibbles and some good conversation whilst making new friends.
 
FiSH is partnering with The Hare and Hounds pub, who will be hosting MeetUpMondaysTM in East Sheen from Monday September 9th, 11:00-13:00 each week.
 
Do you live alone? Are you a Carer? Unemployed? Recently retired? Do you work from home? Widowed? Has life suddenly gone pear shaped for you? Do you just like meeting people and having a chat?  If so, come and join us at The Hare and Hounds on Monday mornings.  Everyone welcome!
Wednesday Walkers
Our Wednesday Walkers had a beautiful walk yesterday, starting off from Pembroke Lodge and making their way back across Richmond Park to Bog Gate and then through Sheen Common and back to the Home Guard Club for tea. (Photos © Jan Henderson) The next walk will be on August 21st… email info@fishhelp.org.uk if you would like to join them!
Barnes Fair 2019
Blessed with another beautifully sunny day, Barnes Fair took place, as always, on the second Saturday in July. We had our popular cake and plant stalls, both of which had sold out by the end of the afternoon.  Our even more popular bottle tombola drew the crowds throughout the day and many thirsty visitors to the Fair took advantage of our chilled water top-up point.  We are enormously grateful to everyone who donated cakes, plants and bottles and to all those who gave up their time to 'man' the stalls.  We raised just over £2,500 on the day!
Open Gardens 2019
Sunday 9th June was a marvellous day for our Open Gardens afternoon in East Sheen. The sun may not have shone very brightly but the buzz of conversation in every garden as neighbours introduced themselves to each other and discussed whether this plant was 'Angelica' or that rose was a 'Gertrude Jekyll' was heart-warming! Huge thanks to everyone who supported FiSH by generously opening their gardens, to the volunteers who helped in gardens or by pouring tea and Pimm's - and to all who  visited the gardens. We hope you enjoyed the day as much as we did!
This wonderful community event, enjoyed this year by over 700 people, has also been a fantastic fundraiser, raising over £10,000 before costs.  We are most grateful to MESS for their support and to Savills' for their generous sponsorship.   
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Jenny Hughes receives British Empire Medal
Jenny Hughes has received her British Empire Medal in a ceremony held at The Tower of London.  She was accompanied for this special occasion by her husband, Andy, and also Crispin O'Brien, Chair of FiSH.

''I was truly honoured to be recognised for this award and the ceremony today was a humbling experience to be with such a variety of people who have served their communities in so many amazing ways. Thanks to all those people who have made FiSH what it is today.''
Picassos in the Park Art Classes
FiSH Neighbourhood Care has stepped in with funding to enable the popular art workshops delivered by Picassos in the Park to carry on in Barnes. The workshops, which are open to people living with early stage dementia and their carers, will now continue this summer and offer participants a chance to be creative together. Classes will run on Tuesdays from 1:30pm to 3:30pm at the OSO Arts Centre. To find out more or book a place, please contact Liz on 020 8878 8100 or by email.
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Marathon Man 
This year FiSH has been extremely fortunate to have our very own marathon runner  – Graham Baker. Graham is one of our trustees and on the 26th of May he ran in the Edinburgh Marathon to raise funds for us. Since joining us last year, Graham who is an accountant, has been working closely with Michael French our treasurer. Graham lives with his family in Sheen and decided to take up running again after being inspired by his eldest son who ran the London marathon last year. Graham trained hard for months and overcame an injury to do this for us.
 
All the hard work and effort paid off however and Graham raised over £2,373 for FiSH.  Many thanks to all those who sponsored him... and congratulations Graham!