For this month’s Community Spotlight, Juliette spoke with the cheery and dapper Collins, also known as the Teddy Bear Man! In their conversation they explored life at the Walworth Living Room and the experience of interacting with people from different walks of life.
What was your first experience of visiting Pembroke House and The Walworth Living Room?
Someone from my estate told me about the Living Room during the pandemic and invited me to come. I was unwell and using a walking stick at the time so I was mostly bored in the house. I also needed support for various things, so it was really good for me to come here for breakfast or to pass the time away. I kept coming back because it was fantastic. I liked the atmosphere and the fact that different people – people my age, or older or younger were participating in different activities such as sports or making things.
Is there a moment in the living room that stands out to you?
Collins: I used to sit down in the corner on my own, until one of the staff suggested that I could see a social worker. We’ve had a lot of good times– we would talk with different people, and open up about our problems.
So the Living Room, as you said, is a space where different people come together and meet each other. Can you share the opportunities or challenges that can come with that?
People would have their ups and downs, but they would also be quick to resolve them. The more we came, the more we were like brothers and sisters. So whatever the arguments we were still able to get on with each other. I try to make difficult situations funny instead of serious. Life is hard enough to have more quarreling or escalations.
People come from different backgrounds and act in different ways. There are some people who like their own space, and others who are more friendly. When you’re with your family, you’re all aware of what you like or don’t like–whether you prefer to be quiet or you keep busy. But [at the Living Room] we don’t know this about each other. For me it’s important to understand and adjust to people’s differences.
Have you learned anything from seeing challenges between people or has it changed how you interact?
The main important thing for me is understanding that we grow up in our own way. The more you meet other people, the more you learn, even in moments of escalation. You still learn then, it’s not only goody goody! You learn how to step in and react and this makes you more mature.
What are your hopes for Walworth and the community?
I’ve seen a lot over the years – I’ve been living in this area for almost 25 years! Finding a place like the Walworth Living Room was important, for people like me that were lonely, or sick and depressed. When I meet people in similar situations I always tell them to come here.
Know someone in Walworth that you’d love to see featured here? Then please get in touch with Nikita!