Marie, Irish in Britain’s Health Development Officer, had the pleasure of meeting the team at Southwark Irish Pensioners Project (SIPP) this week. Located in Bermondsey, south east London, Southwark Irish Pensioners Project (SIPP) SIPP was set up in 1994 to meet the needs of elderly Irish people because they were not accessing statutory services. Today SIPP services comprise of community outreach to client’s homes, pub outreach, hospital visiting, volunteer befriending and a walk–in information service. They also provide drop–in day services in three South London boroughs.
Pub Outreach Prorgamme
SIPP’s pub outreach programme has been particularly successful in terms of reaching some of the most vulnerable members of our community. The pub outreach scheme emerged as a result of several clients presenting at crisis point, the team decided that they needed to find a way to intervene with seriously at–risk clients before they reached this point – as the meeting point or “safe haven” for many an Irish man over the years, the pub held the answer.
The team at SIPP provide advocacy to these clients across all services, including health and social services, housing, welfare benefits ensuring their financial stability and security of tenure. They are provided with up to date information and offered options enabling them to make their own decisions, safe in the knowledge that they will be supported in their choices.
Volunteers
The hard work of the volunteers at SIIP was nationally recognised this year when their lunch club team won the Irish in Britain Annual for Outstanding Group of Volunteers. This remarkable group of six women, all in their 80s, has been praised for their breath–taking energy and ability to laugh and lift the spirits of the members who attend the Lunch Club, which could not function without them.
Like most charities, volunteers are invaluable to the successful running of the organisation. If you’d like to find out more about volunteer opportunities at SIPP, get in touch through the details below or call in to the office to speak with one of the team.
Support SIPP’s work
To help fund their services, SIIP have recently launched a “Sponsor a Member” programme, offering people the opportunity to sponsor one of the SIPP Irish pensioners to enjoy a happy and dignified retirement. You can find out more here.
Congratulations!
Irish in Britain would like to congratulate everyone at SIPP on their upcoming 25th Anniversary – the dedication and commitment of the team is second to none and their expertise in working with the elderly Irish community is evident in the growth of the organisation’s satellite clubs and success of their outreach programmes. Well done to all the team and enjoy the celebrations!
Get in touch with SIPP
Southwark Irish Pensioners, 6 Market Place, London, SE16 3UQ
Telephone: 020 7237 5841
Email: info@irishinlondon.org