At Listening Ears, we are dedicated to diminishing the shadows of isolation and loneliness. Through vibrant integration activities and impactful outreach services, we create opportunities for people to forge meaningful connections and engage actively in their communities. By facilitating interactions, we help foster a renewed sense of purpose, empowering people to embrace healthier, happier, and more fulfilling lives.
Empowering Lives, Fostering Connections: The Listening Ears Story
Founded in 2006 out of deep concern for the pervasive isolation and loneliness among the elderly in our community, Listening Ears emerged as a beacon of hope and support to lend an ear to the most vulnerable. We recognised the plight of those often marginalised due to illness, disability, bereavement, or social disadvantages, and we vowed to make a difference.
Our Approach: Building Bridges, Fostering Wellbeing
Our journey began with a simple yet powerful idea: fostering connections to enhance wellbeing. We established welcoming drop-in services, providing a friendly atmosphere, light refreshments, and engaging activities. Through shared experiences, heartfelt conversations, and newfound friendships, we sowed the seeds of community and belonging. Recognising that wellbeing encompasses not just physical health but also mental, emotional, and social aspects, we employed holistic strategies to address these needs.
Our Impact: Awards, Recognition, and Lasting Change
Listening Ears’ commitment to positive change has not gone unnoticed. Our dedication has earned us prestigious awards, including the Best Community Based Business in the Royal Borough of Greenwich and the Greenwich Civic Award for reducing isolation. These accolades underscore our deep-rooted passion for making meaningful differences in individual lives.
Our Key Projects:
- Feel Good Centres: These weekly vibrant social gatherings focus on reducing isolation, especially among those over 50 and the elderly. With weekly drop-in sessions in Abbey Wood and Thamesmead, we provide vital social connections for our community.
- Community Angels: Our volunteer-led befriending service extends compassionate companionship to the bereaved through home visits and phone calls, offering solace during difficult times.
- Rosebud Centre: Dedicated to empowering young girls on their journey to womanhood, this project nurtures, supports, and inspires the next generation of strong, confident women. In the ten years it ran (2010-2020), the project supported more than 1,000 young women and their families.
- Steps2Living: Through workshops and training, we empower our community members to take small, positive steps toward improved health and total well-being. By imparting knowledge and support, we enable lasting change.
- Food Bank: Selected as the Front of the Shop Charity for Sainsbury’s Abbey Wood, our food bank initiative recycles non-perishable food donations to provide essential items for underprivileged community members. From food provisions to clothing, we support families in need, fostering a sense of security and dignity.
At Listening Ears, we believe in the transformative power of connection and compassion. Since our inception, we have been actively reshaping lives within the Royal Borough of Greenwich. Join us in our mission to create a community where everyone is heard, valued, and supported—a community where well-being is not just a word but a way of life.
Together, we can inspire lasting change.