Founder of Catford club for pensioners given recognition for her crucial work during lockdown
Lesley Allen, founder of the Diamond Club and Bring Me Sunshine, has been presented with a Mayor of Lewisham’s Outstanding Recognition Award in recognition of her tireless work to support older residents during lockdown.
The honour is for people from Lewisham who have done the borough exceptionally proud and inspired others to aim high.
Lesley received it at a meeting of Full Council last week by Damien Egan, the Mayor of Lewisham.
He said her name regularly comes up when he talks to longer-term residents.
The first – and only other – winner has been Kent Athletic Club’s Alex Yee for his success in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
The Diamond Club, a charity, has been bringing pensioners together and tackling loneliness for 20 years. It was so popular it had a waiting list of people to join.
So Lesley partnered with local churches to establish Bring Me Sunshine and reach more older people in Catford.
When lockdown hit, Lesley and her volunteers delivered magazines, activities and gift bags to older residents every week, to ensure they had someone to talk to.
At the height of the pandemic, those volunteers were a lifeline – and often the only visitors that older people had.
They have also been working to expand older residents’ digital access – delivering specialist videos that can be followed by residents with dementia and hosting interactive Zoom sessions.
Lesley said: “I am delighted and honoured to receive this award for my contribution to outreach to older people in Lewisham.
“I share the award with the wonderful team of sunshine volunteers whose giving of time, talent and treasures have been constant.
Mayor Egan’s recognition of what I’ve done during this challenging pandemic time has touched me.
“I am very grateful that he is committed to the welfare of our older people and the need to keep hope alive through joy and cheer despite the difficult challenges they are faced with.”
The club looks like it will continue jumping – even if the only pole dancing members do is dodging smelly passengers on the bus there.
Damien Egan, Mayor of Lewisham, said: “On behalf of Lewisham Council, I want to congratulate Lesley on her amazing community achievements.
I am delighted we are able to recognise her fantastic work supporting older residents with this award. Lesley’s name comes up often when I speak to older residents and she really has been a lifeline for many.
“The enthusiasm and energy that Lesley has given to galvanise the wonderful community response during the pandemic is inspiring.
Together with her volunteers, she is helping to leave behind a legacy where all of our older residents are active, empowered and happy.”
Lewisham Council has been recognising the efforts of dedicated local residents, businesses and projects with the Mayor’s Awards for Voluntary Contributions 2022.
More than 100 nominations this year will be celebrated through a series of short films shared via social media.
Main Picture: Lesley Allen presented with a Mayor of Lewisham’s Outstanding Recognition Award by Damien Egan, the Mayor of Lewisham