Colin and Harry

Colin came to Southwark when he was just three years old and has spent his life between Camberwell and Nunhead. He is completely rooted in the area. As a young man, he relied heavily on his community, and it was at the United Reformed Church – where Link Age Southwark’s office is located – that he met his wife, June. Colin beams when he speaks about her. She passed away in 2019. 

Since then, Colin has suffered a fall and now struggles to leave his home regularly. Though largely housebound, he still manages to get outside to sit on his bench. Even there, his connection to the community shines through: people walking by stop to greet him, sharing a moment or a nice cup of tea. 

Harry made the journey from Scotland to Southwark a few years ago and found himself wanting to connect with those around him. He spotted our posters across the borough and thought he’d give befriending a try. He and Colin were introduced and it’s clear that they take great comfort from their weekly meetings. They catch up in the evenings and talk about their lives, their wellbeing, football – Harry still hasn’t succeeded in turning Colin into an Arsenal fan. 

If you cut Colin, he’d bleed south-east London. He’s a living archive of local history, sharing stories of Dulwich, Peckham, Camberwell, and Nunhead from the 1940s and ’50s. He paints vivid scenes: a circus with acrobats where new flats now stand; sneaking into the cinema with his friends - “five for the price of one,” Harry chimes in; ferry trips from Tower Bridge to Margate with his parents, except on Fridays when they never ran; and his childhood fascination with a shop called Trundles and its pneumatic-tube cash system. 

Their friendship is clearly restorative for both of them. Harry, who works in Whitehall, describes what it brings him: “It gives me perspective and takes me out of my work brain.” Colin smiles and says, “I look forward to the meeting every week.” Harry nods – the feeling is mutual. 

Harry is running his first marathon in Colin's honour and to raise funds to support the vital work Link Age Southwark does. If Colin and Harry's friendship is something that resonated with you or you think is beneficial for the community of Southwark, please donate to Harry's Just Giving page below!

Support Harry and Colin here!