Since May 2022 we have been holding monthly drop-in wellbeing events in Norbiton to support some of Kingston’s most vulnerable residents. Held on the first Friday of the month, our pop-up events are held in Queen Mary Hall on Cambridge Gardens – ideally placed to support the Cambridge Road Estate; Kingston’s most deprived area, and among England’s 20% most deprived neighbourhoods.
Partnering with like-minded services allows us to collectively support vulnerable residents, including refugees and homeless people; groups more likely to access services right in front of them, and who often struggle to commit to appointments.
Our events bring together a wide range of valuable support services from across the borough, all empowering guests to use these resources there and then to help themselves.
These services range from benefits advice to fuel vouchers, vaccinations to foot care, drug, alcohol and smoking support to mental health counselling, clothes to toiletries, health checks to period products, digital inclusion services to adult education advice.
We also ask about further signposting needs to expand each month’s event with the services they most need.
In May 2023, guest feedback prompted us to secure support from the Specsavers team to do eye tests and give out free glasses.
Similarly, a grant from The Brothers Trust has funded ongoing dental care sessions from Dentaid. This helps alleviate dental pain amongst our most vulnerable guests, significantly improving their physical and mental health.
Bike scheme for affordable travel
As RBKares’ campaigns evolve to help those community members most vulnerable to the ongoing cost of living crisis, our support of their health and wellbeing
has expanded to incorporate access to affordable travel.
Through our partnership with Full Cycle Community Bike Project, we have already given out over 100 refurbished bicycles plus locks to those most in need.
With support from Kingston Cycling Campaign, we also offer a bike repair service every other Wellbeing Day.
