Read all about the history of our supportive community group going all the way back to the 1960’s. We have a proud history of supporting our community, through practical support, community initiatives and communication. We are proud to support the Ham and Petersham area.
The Wates estate was built in the early to mid '60s. In about 1969 Elaine and Pam had both moved onto the estate with young families and saw the need of creating a service to provide transport and some befriending both on the estate and in the neighbourhood. They were aware the some other wards in the Richmond borough had similar schemes. They consulted with the local GPs, churches etc and then had a coffee morning for interested people to attend.
A number of volunteers came forward, and Ham & Petersham SOS (HAPSOS) was created. Elaine, Pam and one or two others took it in turns to have telephone calls come through to them on their home phones and then they delegated the jobs. Referrals came from private and statutory bodies and HAPSOS became affiliated to Richmond Council for Voluntary Services (RCVS.) Ham & Petersham SOS continued in this manner, passing on to others and eventually Angela took it over in the mid 70s.
“In 1980 I went back to part-time work. Joan Slack was then in charge, but became ill soon after, so RCVS suggested Richmond Good Neighbours run it for HAPSOS until a solution could be found. St Richards' Church was approached and they offered HAPSOS the use of a small room with phone. A small group of volunteers was recruited to man the phone each morning. I was reinstated as 'Organiser' and did Thursday mornings. Some years later I was approached by the Richmond Housing Partnership (RHP) community development worker for Ham who suggested that the 'unmet need' in the area needed addressing and that monies were available to facilitate this. I eventually gave in, and in 2009 interviews were held to recruit a salaried member of staff as Organiser. Sam Payne was appointed organiser on a part time basis. A board of Trustees formed with Libby as chair, we became a limited company and a registered charity, and we have never looked back.” Angela Roberts, Former Trustee.
We receive no money from the government or the NHS.
We have a grant from Richmond Parish Lands Charity towards core costs and we are part of the Community Independent Living Service for which we receive some funding. The rest of our funding comes from donations and fundraising events. We often try to raise funds for specific events and activities or apply for small one off grants.
No, however we suggest a small donation for attending a service, activity or event or having a volunteer take you too and from a hospital appointment. Further information is available upon request.
Yes, we ask that members pay an annual fee of £10 which gives them certain members benefits including a quarterly newsletter, access to our subsidised monthly outings program and free entry to Kew Gardens. More information on membership and benefits is available from the SOS office.
We are a team of 3 part-time staff:
Jill Hancock, Ham & Petersham SOS Manager
Millie Cooper, Assistant to the Manager
Natalie Freeman, Reception & Community Support Worker
The rest of the office staff and helpers are volunteers.
Contact the office on 020 8948 1090 or use the contact tab above to send an email and we can get an information pack sent to you directly.
