Celebrating 20 Years of Changing Lives: A Milestone for Listening Ears
This October, Listening Ears Charity is incredibly proud to celebrate 20 years of dedicated service to our community. Since our humble beginnings in 2006, we have served as a vital lifeline in the Royal Borough of Greenwich, working tirelessly to diminish the shadows of isolation and loneliness for those who need it most.
Our Journey from a Simple Calling
The story of Listening Ears began with the vision of our founder, Toyin Ogunbanjo. A journalist and publisher by profession with a lifelong commitment to social impact, Toyin felt a personal calling to support the most vulnerable members of her community. What started as a modest, weekly drop-in session at the Abbey Wood Community Centre has blossomed over two decades into a respected grassroots charity that supports individuals from early childhood through to old age.
Our mission has always been rooted in a simple but profound belief: “a problem shared is already half solved.” By providing emotional support and a listening ear, we help our neighbors take small but significant steps toward holistic well-being—improving their lives emotionally, physically, and psychologically.
A Legacy of Impactful Projects
Over the last 20 years, we have developed a suite of projects tailored to meet the specific needs of our diverse community. These initiatives are more than just programs; they are communities where laughter, learning, and connection thrive:
- Feel Good Centres: As our flagship initiative, these centers in Abbey Wood and Thamesmead provide over-55s with a vibrant social hub. To date, we have delivered more than 1,500 sessions, offering everything from gentle chair-based exercises and Tai Chi to professional massage therapies. These gatherings are famous for our monthly birthday buffets, where we ensure no one’s special day goes unnoticed, alongside festive tea parties for Valentine’s and Easter.
- The Food Bank: Operating in a vital partnership with Sainsbury’s Abbey Wood, our food bank supports over 100 families annually. We provide essential non-perishable food and supplies to those facing hardship due to rising living costs or personal crises, ensuring dignity and security for our neighbors.
- Community Angels: This volunteer-led befriending service was born from a need to reach the housebound. Our “Angels” provide weekly home visits and telephone support to the elderly and bereaved who are too frail to visit our centers, proving that a friendly voice can be a powerful antidote to depression.
- Steps 2 Living: This wellness program empowers participants to take control of their health. Through 10-week workshops, community members learn practical life skills like how to read food labels, shop for healthy ingredients, and cook nutritious meals while staying physically active.
- Rosebud Centre for Girls: For a decade, this project mentored over 1,000 young women, guiding them through the transition to womanhood with workshops on life skills, self-defense, and personal development.
Recognizing Two Decades of Excellence
The impact of our work has been recognized by the wider community through several prestigious accolades. We are honored to have been named the Best Community-Based Business in Greenwich by the South East Chamber of Commerce and to have received the Greenwich Civic Award for our work in reducing isolation. To date, Listening Ears has successfully raised and reinvested over £1 million directly into local projects, a testament to the trust and support of our partners and donors.
The Heart of the Charity: Our People
Listening Ears is defined by the compassion of its team. Alongside Toyin is Kim Firmin, our Feel Good Project Manager, who is renowned for “going all out” to celebrate our members and ensure they feel cherished. They are supported by a dedicated board of trustees and a compassionate pool of volunteers who come from all walks of life—from retirees seeking a renewed sense of purpose to professionals sharing their skills.
How You Can Be Part of Our Future
As we look toward the next 20 years, we invite you to join us in turning loneliness into lasting connection:
- Volunteer Your Time: Just two hours a week can make an immeasurable difference. We are currently looking for empathetic individuals to serve as Community Angels or project support workers.
- Financial Support: Every donation helps sustain our vital services. Contributions go directly toward food bank supplies, volunteer travel costs, and our annual seaside day trips for the elderly. You can support us through platforms like JustGiving and PayPal.
- Spread the Word: Help us reach those who are still suffering in silence by sharing our mission with your friends, family, and local networks.
Thank you for being part of our story. Together, we will continue to build a community where every voice is heard and no one is left behind.
