About us
Our History
Upper Norwood Association for Community Care (UNACC) was developed in the 1970s following an in-depth survey into the needs of the elderly of Upper Norwood, and was registered as a charitable organisation in 1972.
Its modest beginnings included a ‘drop-in’ centre together with an advice centre which was supervised by the former Manager of the local Social Security Office together with experienced volunteer staff, and sponsored by the local MP for Croydon.
It soon became apparent that there was a need for a lunch club, and UNACC has since expanded to offer a wide range of activities and outings as well as continuing to provide a safe and inclusive meeting place for older people.
The centre is open to older people of Upper Norwood, and both members and volunteers come from the surrounding boroughs of Croydon, Bromley and Lambeth.
Our Aims
UNACC aims to promote any charitable purposes for the benefit of the older community in Upper Norwood and the surrounding neighbourhood, and in particular the advancement of education together with the furtherance of health and the relief of poverty, distress, sickness and isolation.
During our 30+ years in existence our major achievements have been to develop and fully integrate an active social and day centre offering a wide-ranging choice of healthy living activities for older people, enabling to them to remain in their own homes and thereby retaining a degree of independence. We believe we provide an essential service to the neighbourhood in terms of preventing loneliness and depression, and are proud to enable volunteers to extend friendship and practical support to people who would otherwise be isolated in the local community.
Our people
Who's who on the Management Committee:
| Post | Person |
|---|---|
| Chair | Barry Hackett |
| Vice-chair | Daniel Blake |
| Secretary | Gerald Hardy |
| Treasurer | Ahmed Bangura |
| Trustees | Doris Gadsby Gill Kilsby Ken French Gwen Fowler Josie McCulloch Vee Law John Canvin (Bromley Councillor) Sue Johnson |
| Co-ordinator | Nicole Wells |
| Admin/Finance Officer | Sue Cooling |
| Development Officer | Natalie Fernandez |
| Newsletter Distribution Manager | Sheila Graham |