Rhubarb 2019

ST EDWARD’S r h u b a r b

7

Claremont Project and Flourishing Lives coalition

Lucien Paul Stanfield (B, 1978-1983) writes: ‘I wanted Claremont to be a different kind of charity for older people, a kind of adult version of a great school – much like St Edward�s! Claremont is aspirational and deeply interested in learning and personal development. We focus on individual ambition, as well as on friendship, mutual respect, and the health and betterment of community. Claremont comprises about 1,000 people at any one time, from all walks of life, and with many different interests and needs. We have an extensive weekly programme of arts events, classes, and projects – from ballet and disco, to creative writing, art therapy, and drama. The average age is 75. About half of our members come to us having found themselves isolated and alone after the death of a partner or loss of local friends and relatives. Over half of those joining us score well below the national average for mental wellbeing, sometimes having a lifetime of a mental health diagnosis. The good news is that after only four months most have moved to the normal range for psychological wellbeing. We also created and run the Flourishing Lives coalition, a lively network of over 250 arts and heritage organisations working with older people, ranging from the Tate,

Ballet Rambert and British Museum, to local community centres and lunch clubs. We’re funded by grant-making trusts, income we generate from our own

activities and by individual donations. And we’re always on the look-out for new partnerships and income opportunities!’

C H A R I T I E S

Monica Alcazar-Duarte

Impro Project, Claremont at Central St Martins

Plans to follow the Long Walk Home

Patrick Lyster-Todd (D, 1968-1972) heads communications and fundraising for Haig Housing Trust www.haighousing.org.uk

the UK’s main veterans’ housing charity. Last year the Trust organised a commemorative fundraising event called

The Long Walk Home. One hundred veterans and serving personnel travelled to the Menin Gate in Ypres to walk the 100 miles back to the Cenotaph in Whitehall to mark the centenary of the ending of the Great War, during which so many OSE lost their lives. This raised, in all, nearly £100k. Next year, there are plans to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day and the ending of the Second World War in Europe. It is hoped that this event will include veterans and some serving personnel and, in particular, those who may wish to walk to honour the memory of a family member. Perhaps there will be a small Teddies contingent amongst them?